'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎103r] (210/470)

Physical drill and games are included in the curriculum, and should be
attended with beneficial results.
( 2 ) In June 1918 a Government primary school for girls was opened in Karbala
and it is attended by 20 girls between the ages of 7 and 13 years.
There are two classes and the staff consists of one headmistress and one
assistant.
The course of study consists of reading, writing, reading from the Quran,
sewing and fancy work.
(3) The premises of both the Government schools are well chosen, the buildings
being light and with good ventilation, and both the staff and the pupils seem keen
and eager to do their best.
(4) In addition to the two Government schools there exists in Karbala a
Persian school called the Husainiyah school, founded in 1908 by certain educated
Persians resident in Karbala.
At present the school numbers 108 pupils, and the daily attendance averages
about 80. The staff consists of a headmaster and six assistant masters, and
instruction is given in Persian. The curriculum includes the study of English,
Arabic, reading, writing, mathematics, geography, history, religious instruction.
In Turkish times the school was assisted by the Government and this assistance
has been continued under the present regime. The pupils in this institution strike
one as particularly keen and well disciplined. The premises are not entirely
suitable for use as a school.
8 . Medical and Sanitation. —(1) During the year the general health of
Karbala may be considered to have been satisfactory considering the primitive
ideas of the people regarding sanitation. Fifteen cases of cholera occurred during
the year under Report, but fortunately the disease did not spread. Malaria and
diseases of the eye claim by far the larger proportion of victims, which is not
surprising considering the surroundings of the people.
(2) The Municipality, with zeal for progress, have built public latrines in
various places throughout the town, the population generally, however, apparently
regard them as more for ornament than for use.
(3) The streets are swept under municipal arrangements and are kept in a
satisfactorily clean condition.
(4) A small matter, but one of some interest, is the presence in Karbala of a
sort of hereditary vaccinator. This man is a Christian, and is the only one in
Karbala. He states that he prepares his vaccine himself, chiefly from individuals
suffering from smallpox, and that this has been the trade of his family for some
generations. Although a Christian he moves freely amongst the people and visits
all classes for purposes of vaccination. He also tours amongst the ‘Anizah and
any tribes visiting the neighbourhood. His ordinary fee for a vaccination is Re. 1/-,
but rich people pay him as much as Rs. 5/-.
(5) The Karbala dispensary has been much appreciated and extensively
patronised during the year, chiefly by poor people who wish to get their medicines
free. On 30th January 1918 a small ward for 10 in-patients was opened to the public
and this is practically always full.
( 6 ) A synopsis of work done in the Civil Dispensary from the 1st of January
until the 1st of November is attached as Appendix G.
Considering that many in-door cases are only brought to hospital when
practically in a dying condition and past treatment, the mortality amongst these
cases should not be regarded as excessive.
(7) The Sub-Assistant Surgeon in charge of the dispensary has carried out his
work with ability and energy, and he enjoys the confidence of the people.
9. Police and Shabanah. —(1) The Karbala police consists of 1 officer and
132 rank and file in the foot police, and 1 officer and 25 rank and file in the mounted
police.
They are all under the local supervision of a Sub-Inspector of Police, and are
borne on the strength of the district Shabanah, no separate police force for Karbala
town having yet been formed, though it is hoped to introduce this in due course.
(2) The Karbala Police Force maintains order in a town of some 40,000
inhabitants, liable to sudden influx of pilgrims, which may number as many as
300,000 on the occasion of an important festival.
In addition, they are charged with the duty of preventing the entry or export
of contraband; they are employed on escort duties, and to assist the revenue