"ملاحظات ميدانية: بلاد الرافدين. هيئة الأركان العامة في الهند. فبراير ١٩١٧". [ظ‎‎٣‎١] (٣٥٠/٦٩)

■BSSmm
54
** هذه التواريخ تقريبية
The methods discussed above are suitable to trench and
camp, but are impossible in a moving echelon. A
body of men moving will not be troubled with the
flies they breed unless they halt for more than nine
days; if they adopt the usual trench system, the
plague of flies will commence at each halting place
about ten days after they , reach it.
Apart from flies, there is danger of typhus from lice and
the annoyance of the sand fly. Both can be coped
with if the proper remedy, Vermijelli or some equiva
lent is issued to everyone. This is a specific for ^
lice, extensively used in the army in France, Flanders
and Egypt. It is rubbed on the person or the
seams of clothing and is used to wash clothing. A
very small amount rubbed on the hands and face
keeps sand flies and mosquitoes off for the whole
night.
Basrah is said to be less unhealthy than it used to be; at
present, however, it is malarious most of the year. The con
struction of bunds as noted above, should diminish the pre
valence of that disease.
The winter is the most suitable time for military operations
any time between October and March.
For climate of Kuwait See page 49.
'Arabistan .—Rain may fall at any time between October
and the middle of May; it is commonest in December.
From the beginning of October to the end of March the
climate is good. During January the thermometer falls as low
as 40° at Muhammareh, and in Northern ’Arabistan it some
times reaches freezing point (32°).
The heat during June, July, and August makes military
operations during these months almost impossible. -During the
hot weather, especially in autumn, malaria is prevalent at
Muhammareh, but no doubt much of the sickness is due to the
insanitary condition of the town. This is the case also at
Shushtar. In July the thermometer sometimes reaches 110°,
and at Shushtar occasionally even 120.° The nights in the
neighbourhood of the Karun are generally cool.
In 1857 the troops suffered much at Muhammareh from
myriads of flies by day, and from sand flies by night; but the
heat was found to be less than at Bushire.