"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٤‎١‎١] (٥٤٢/٤٢٢)

MOHAMMAREH 411
hostelries {huseiniyehs) and store-houses for merchants' goods (here
called Maws).
Climate and Hygiene. —Accurate observations ot temperature are
not available for any extended period (see vol. i, chap, ii), but the
following figures may be taken as approximations. In January,
the coldest month, the average maximum temperature at Moham-
mareh is 57° F. and the minimum 45° F. The extremes met with
during the month are 67° F. and 32° F. Rain falls between
November 1 and April 1, and the yearly average at Moham-
mareh is about 11 inches. From April to October there is no rain,
and hot winds prevail. During July and August, the hottest
months, the average maximum temperature at Mohammareh is
103° F. and the average minimum 86° F. with extremes of
110° F. and 84° F. respectively. Other authorities state that the
temperature of Mohammareh ranges from 32° F. to 115° F. The
usual daily range of temperature in July is from 85° F. to 110° F., and
in January from 40° F. to 57° F. It is said that about the middle of
May a dry NW. wind generally Wows for some 10 days, followed by
a calm of similar duration before the setting in of the or
Great North-Wester, which lasts for about 40 days. After the
Bdrih come, as a rule, 10 days of light southerly breezes, and there»
after hot winds from the NW. and damp winds from SE. till the end
of August. The summer heat at Mohammareh, although intense, is
dry and not unhealthy. From the middle of October to the end of
April the climate may be called pleasant. For the high- and low-
water seasons of the Karun see Route II A.
The town, despite the great improvement it has undergone, con
tinues to be highly insanitary. The only kind of drain is a channel
cut down the middle of each street and generally choked up except
after rain.
In 1913 a consular surgeon was appointed, but the post almost
immediately fell vacant and was not filled. In 1914 the plans for
a hospital were submitted to Government. A dispensary does good
work, but no progress has been made with the proposed hospital.
The more common diseases are ailments of the eye, skin, and digestive
system, and venereal diseases.
Supplies and Commerce. —Large stocks of rice and dates are gene
rally available in bazaar. Much barley is produced in the country
around, lai-gely for exportation in normal times. The amount of
wheat produced varies considerably. The value of wheat exported
has varied between £200,000 and 500,000 in recent years. In
1910 the existing flour-mills were not sufficient for the normal
requirements of the town. The amount of vegetables varies,