'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎165r] (334/470)

Influenza .—During the latter end of September, the months of October and November of this
year, influenza was very rife in the district. As elsewhere, it was of a very severe type, several cases
having the fatal pneumonic complication. The deaths in the district amounted to between 300 or
400. All possible medical aid and advice was given, but it spread with extraordinary rapidity and
virulence in an unprotected soil.
Death-rate and Birth-rate Statistics .—It has been impossible to gauge correctly the former until
recently, as several cases, when severely ill, were taken out of the town before they died, and were buried
outside without our knowledge. Such cases we shall be able to check now as there is a municipal
register.
Birth-rate. —This, in future, will become a very important branch of vital statistics. It will
give us an idea of the infant mortality rate in the town, which one knows is considerable, but which
was hidden from us, as the children are buried surreptitiously in the gardens. The necessity of a large
virile Arab population is the burning question of Mesopotamia, and it will rest with the instructors
in sanitation, whether medical or lay, to ensure a good healthy beginning and environment for the infant
after birth.
Sanitation.—The town is divided into three districts, each of which is supervised by an Arab
sanitary havildar Custodian; police sergeant; jail or prison guard. , under the instruction of the Civil Surgeon. In each district there are large open
cane incinerators—six in all—to which the refuse of the compounds and streets is brought each day
by donkey boys with their charges. The householders either carry their rubbish direct to the incinerators
or empty it into refuse tins which are placed at advantageous points. This side of the sanitary problem
is very satisfactorily carried out.
The question of latrines is another tale. Those compounds which possess privies (in short, those
inhabited by the rich) are quite sanitary, as these pits are very large and deep and have covered tops.
These are practically septic tanks and sterilise themselves. The other compounds, which form the
larger portion, require a very constant supervision, and, in some, finings are necessary before a proper
state of affairs is reached. They were all supplied with latrine tins this year, which, after use, were
to be covered with ashes and then carried to the nearest incinerators each day. Some carried out the
orders, but others used the tins for culinary and other purposes, and deposited their excreta in any
odd corner of the compound, where it afforded a happy resting place and breeding ground for iiies,
and, besides being offensive, was a direct means of spreading disease by the fly carriers passing from
faecal matter on to the food.
The making of privies in every compound has been encouraged and in some cases, such as the
milk purveyor’s compound, taken in hand and made by the sanitary section attached to the Qurnah
area. It has been found that public latrines are quite hopeless in Qurnah. They were only used by
a few odd boys and men, and the problem of the compound latrines still remained and remains acute,
for the women and girls and most of the men just act as they always have done. I should suggest to
the Political Authorities that the construction of privies in each compound be made compulsory during
the next year. a u + i
The problem of sweepers among the Arabs is an extraordinarily difficult one, as the Arab takes
very unkindly to this work, there being no sweeper caste among them. At present the municipal
incinerator work is done by Indian sweepers of the Expeditionary Force, and I do not know what will
happen on complete demobilisation. The work at present is being done very efficiently, and there
are some Arab understudies, who come whenever they like, and disappear when they hke, sometimes
for days on end. I can only suggest that work of this prime importance should be paid well, so as to
be attractive. Let the pay be at least equivalent to that of an adult Arab coolie A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. , with a bonus each
month for good work.
Supervision of the municipal milk supply, the municipal slaughter-house and butchers shops and
coffee-houses is close, and there is a regular spraying of these premises. The butchers shops and
slaughter-house slabs are sprayed daily. The milk is kept in properly covered tins.
In connection with shops, especially those which purvey food, I should suggest that gauze cloths
be spread over these wares to keep away numerous flies and hornets. The butchers shops sell out
their meat so quickly that these precautions are hardly necessary. Cqffee-shops have their water
supply frequentlv inspected, and all the refuse is swept into refuse tins twice daily.
There; are two municipal soda-water factories, with modern machinery and chlorinated water
laid on. The tanks and cisterns are kept scrupulously clean. It was insisted upon m the first instance
that if these factories were allowed to be put up they should have the advantage of the best water
supply drainage, lighting, and structural completeness. Under sanction from the Military authorities
the work was done by “ E ” and “ M ” sections. The beverages are sold only to die Arab population.
The sanitation of the school (boys and girls) is also watched, and spraying each morning at 8 a.m.
will become the rule. In addition the latrines are supervised. These are privies.
The Shabanah Police force is a problem presenting a little more difficulty as these men are country
born largely and recruited from villages where such a thing as modern sanitation is unknown. Object
lessons, with an exercise of patience, are helping us among these rather elementary people.
Street Drainaae.—This for surface rain water is accomplished by means of the central channel
and proves for the most part satisfactory, where there is sufficient fall The main river front street
through Qurnah north to south is very well metalled with broken brick and is standing weather and
wear very well The roofing-in of the bazaar and the building of public baths, efficient street lighting,
with the erection of more booths in the meat, fish, and the odd hawker market-places, are questions
which need taking in hand.
Dunn" the year electric light and fans were placed in the Civil Hospital and much appreciated
by both patients and Sub-Assistant Surgeon. The departure of units from the town has released
certain civil billets and areas for Arab re-occupation. A proper supervision is necessary to see that
in rebuilding no overcrowding of new huts be allowed.
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