'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎144r] (292/470)

In the case of three other ships, notifications of the development of the disease
(one case each) among details disembarked were received. Disinfection of quarters
and bedding was done, and notifications were sent to Sanitary Officers of areas.
The sporadic nature of the disease is generally remarked, so that the develop
ment of two cases among the crew of the small store-ship ‘is of epidemological interest.
(e) Typhus Fever. —Two cases occurred within a few days of each other in May
among the Persian coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. working ships at Ma‘qil. The gangs were cleansed at the
Central Disinfecting Station, and no fresh cases occurred. The crews of the ships
were inspected for the presence of vermin, and dealt with accordingly.
(f) Diphtheria. —Five cases of diphtheria occurred on five ships; one case on
each.
(g) Chickenpox and Measles. —Eleven cases of chickenpox occurred on nine
ships; one ship having three cases and eight ships a single case each. Eleven cases
of measles occurred on six ships; one had five cases, one had two, and four had each
a single case.
(h) Leprosy. —One case of leprosy ansesthetica was removed to hospital from
H.T. “ Fooshing.” The crew were examined and the quarters disinfected.
(i) Enteric Group Fevers. —Six ships had one case each, notified after removal to
hospital.
(j) Beri-beri. —No extensive outbreak of beri-beri occurred on any ship in this
port. Four ships were found to be slightly affected, and five cases of ship’s beri-beri
were removed from one transport.
Thorough disinfection of quarters and revision of dietary were the preventive
measures taken, where necessary.
(k) Relapsing Fever. —Fifteen notifications of relapsing fever among troops
disembarked were received.
(l) Influenza. —The spread of pandemic influenza, originating in Spain, affected
this port during the autumn months. Figures are not available, but it may be said
that in some cases more than half of the crews of vessels in the port had to be
removed to hospital.
Masters of ships were advised to keep their crews on board ships while in this
and other ports. Disinfection of quarters was done when necessary, and gargling
with mild antiseptics was advised. The epidemic subsided towards the end of
October.
Notifications, on the arrival of transports with a large number of cases on board,
were sent to Area Sanitary Officers.
(m) Yellow Fever and Scarlet Fever. —No cases.
(15) Medical Attention.—Most of the Government ships in port have no medical
officer on board, and medical attention is supplied by this Department. This is in
addition to the quarantine duties undertaken at other ports.
A special round of the ships in the river is paid every morning to treat ordinary
sickness and, if necessary, to remove patients to hospital. A very large number of
non-infectious sick have been treated on board and the sanitary condition of the
ships is supervised, as well as observation of the health conditions of the coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. on
board being undertaken.
It was estimated by the late Port Health Officer that, at any one time, the officers
of the Department were in medical charge of between 2,000-3,000 persons.
(16) Heat Stroke. —The arrangements made for treatment of heat-stroke cases
were, fortunately, not required. If cases had occurred, it was arranged that the
“ D.E.” flags were to be hoisted on board, and the Embarkation Medical Officer
notified by telephone. The A.D.M.S., Base, had prepared an arrangement by which
a medical officer from No. 3 B.G.H. was to visit the ship and remove the case, ice
being supplied on his launch.
(17) The Future Port Sanitary Service of Basrah.—The approach of peace
conditions and the anticipated resumption of the Shi ah pilgrim traffic from overseas,
afford an opportunity for the discussion in this report of the future organisation of
the sanitary defences of Southern Mesopotamia.
The international aspect of the question will in the future demand even more
consideration than it did in the past. The rate of human travel from Mesopotamia
to Europe will be greatlv hastened within a few years, and it is almost an axiom to