File 1711/1920 'Mesopotamia: General Circulars. - 1920' [‎165r] (333/591)

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Annexure to General Circular, No. 491, dated 28th April, 1920.
EXTRACT FROM G.R.O.’s, DATED 16th APRIL, 1920.
Discipline, Interpreters—Hot WEATHERPRECAUTIONS.’
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400. From G.R.O. 176 of 1920 delete " VICTOR Azoo—A-1921.
401. With the advent of the warmer weather, every precaution is to be taken to avoid the
epidemics which experience has shown are liable to occur in this country,.
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A.—Commanding Officers are to watch closely, the vaccination state of the men under their
command, especially observing new arrivals, If vaccination is at first unsuccessful it should be
, repeated (twice if necessary) at the earliest opportunity. .
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B. —Bathing facilities are to be provided wherever possible. This is most important in the
' . case of Labour and Porter Corps, both Indian and Local.
C.—To prevent sickness due to-sun and heat, the following precautions should be carefully
observed during the hot weather 1
1, 1 So far as possible troops are not to be exposed to the sun between 08’00 and 18’00.
2. Goggles, helmets, spine pads should be worn by all men who are exposed, to the /sun.
3. An ample supply of chlorinated water is to be available (at'least 2 gallons per head);
4. 1 Guards, working parties, etc., employed at a distance from a safe water-supply must
invariably carry water-bottles orchaguls filled. with chlorinated water.
5. No alcohol should be drunk between sunrise and sunset.
6. Tight clothing, especially tight collars, should not be worn. 1
7. Men suffering from constipation or feeling feverish should report for treatment at- once.
, D.—Serious'intestinal diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery and diarrhoea can, be
avoided by strict attention to the following points. :■*—
, Vegetables and Fruity—(a) Wash all vegetables and fruit carefully before usein strongly
, chlorinated water. -
. ' (b) Avoid eating uncooked vegetables, e.g., raw tomatoes, lettuces?,
(c) Avoid eating overripe fruit, eg., over-ripe melons, dates, grapes.
(d) Eat preferably fruit which can be peeled.
(e) . Avoid buying any fruit, food, or sweet-meats which are seen to be covered with flies. J
< ' 2. Cleaning of fooh Utensils.—(a) Wash all knives, forks, cups, plates, etc., with clean'chlori
nated water—preferably boiled. 1 \ / s. ..
(b) Scour cooking pots and degchies with clean wood ashes of sterilized sand and hot
■ with ordinary soil. For this purpose each kitchen, should be provided with a box
containing these materials.
3. Kitchen.—? Careful attention Should be given to the maintenance ofcleanliness in the
kitchen ; dusters, and jharans must be boiled daily after use. Kitchen tables should be ।
taken out ( daily, scrubbed with soda and hot water, and allowed to dry in the sun.
4. Water.—-No unchlorinated water should be drunk. Tea'is a safe drink, because the water z 1
has been boiled.
5. Aerated Water—From licensed dealers or other guaranteed sources only should be drunk.
6. Ice.— Should not be put into drinks. Bottles, etc., should be placed on the ice'for cool
ing their contents. . . . * / ? f '
7. Dairy F rod z/ce—Other thanthat fromi dairies under Government control, should not be
. consumed. 1 ,; ' '
8. Flies—Should be kept away from all food by—
(a) Gauze safe.
Muslin covers.
(ci Killing them. - > r ' z "
The methods which have proved of greatest value are:— S
(i) Arsenite Roller Sack Traps, specially useful for latrines and litter dumps. (The 1
Arsenite solution is made and issued only by the Medical Officer.}
* (ii) Spraying with Kerosene (Qualyan oil or 125 Kerosene) in the open, pr with Army
Fly Spray (diluted—20 in water) in tents, huts, stores, etc. Spraying is
effective only when flies are numerous and congregated in clusters.
(fit) Tanglefoot fly papers (an S. & T. Supply), Japanese pr other sn.all traps pn the
balloon principle, in messes, cook-house, etc.
It should be impressed on all that the basis of fly prevention is good conservancy which.
‘ implids the thorough and efficient disposal of all litter and other refuse.
; 9. Illness.—All cases of diarrhoea or fever should be reported to the Medical Officer
immediately. |
LEAVE. , ,
402. G.R.O. 638 of 1919 and subsequent amendments are,cancelled.
2. The following-officers- may sanction leave to all ranks under their command, G.O.’sC.
Divisions and Independent Brigades, Commandant Persian L.of C.’ Commandant G.H.Q. Troops
Area, G.O.C. River Area and L. of C., and Directors in so far as the personnel of the Headquarters ,