'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎391r] (791/1386)

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invaliding are Ij.dng j:Lv.::\l dir?r;t on b >arcl there on arrival of river boats. Under eli-cum-
stancrs of considerable difficulty medical arrangement:;; worked splendidly. General condition
of wounded very satisfactory.
This roassjiring telegram luiturall
Unhappily it lias since been entirely r
r Piio teiograni is recorded in this precis
in a controversy which has since
y afforded great relief at the time,
•efmted by the facts brought to light.
• as it is the initial iioint, so to spealc,
unfortunately attained a somewhat
deplorable political significance.
A little later, owing to further private reports, the deeretarv of State
telegraphed to the Viceroy asking for information, lie replied as follows,
dated 24th December 1915 : —
“ Telegram from Viceroy, dated 24th December 1915.
“ Your private telegram of the 17th instant'. Medical arrangements in Mesopotamia.
“ At time of Sir Mark. Sykes’ visit to Mesopotamia troops were still suffering from the
effects of the summer campaign. Great heat and physical exhaustion had developed malaria
^yivtc-nt in many men. Report dated 30th October, Aziziyeh, from Deputy-Director of Medical
Stores states, however, that British and Indian Regiments ajid Units which in June had
many cases of malaria were then practically free, the cold weather and rest had a beneficial
effect on health of troops, and malaria had not assumed proportions which miglvt reasonably
have been expected. In all the occupied areas mosquitoes had heen successfully dealt with.
The Deputy-Director of Medical Stores has a sanitary adviser of great experience. Major
Cook-Young, who has been most energetic in improving sanitary arrangements and conducting
mosquito campaigns, see telegram No. 8488 of 14th October. A motor launch lifted out as
bacteriological laboratory by the St. John Ambulance Association under charge of Major S. R.
Christophers, well-known malaria expert and bacteriologist^is being sent to Mesopotamia
shortly for research work. Colonel Manifold’s services as Principal Medical Officer,
Mesopotamia, are not required. Kindly send Sidney 1*. Jones, Indian Medical Staff, who has
worked with Christophers. PXpert Adviser, Sandwith, would be valuable.”
/'
The next we heard on the subject was a telegram from General Nixon,
dated 10th January 191(1:—
“ The deficiency of river-craft, to which 1 have so often referred, renders the task of
evacuating the wounded intensely difficult. These amount to about 3,000,”
The difficulties complained of doubtless increased with each successive-
engagement, especially as much of the medical personnel and materiel
which came from France was delayed en route and only arrived at a date
subsequent to the actions fought by Generals Aylmer and Gorringe.
On the 81st January 1916 The Fed Cross and Order of St. John placed
at India’s disposal the organization of their societies to supplement the needs
of the sick and wounded in Mesopotamia. On the 16th February this offer
was gratefully accepted by the Viceroy.
On the 16th February 1916 the control of the Mesopotamian operations
was transferred to the War Office. This necessaril} 7- involved the control of
medical arrangements as well as all other business connected with the
operations. When \\*e speak of ‘''control,” it must be understood that the
medical arrangements in a theatre of war, like all other business, come
under the direction of the General Officer Commanding. Any deficiencies
or additional requirements should be brought by him to the notice of the
supplying authority, which in this case would he the Government of India.
Such deficiencies as India could not meet would be reported home for orders
or action. Such orders can only emanate from the Authority controlling the
operations. It is in this sense that the control of medical arrangements
must necessarily be with the War Office.
It may be mentioned here that on the 17th March the Viceroy telegraphed
that a Commission had been appointed on the 2nd of March to investi
gate and report on organization for dealing with sick and wounded in
Mesopotamia. ^
The Commission consisted of—•
Sir W. Vincent.
Major-General Bingley.
Mr. Ridsdale, Vice-Chairman, British Red Cross -A&soffiauon.
It left Bombay for Basra on the 10th March. Its report has been submitted
to the Government of India, but it has not yet reached England.
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