"مذكرات الحرب. مقر قيادة الجيش، الهند. [...] قوة المشاة الهندية «د». المجلد ٣٧. الجزء I. (من ١ إلى ١٥ أغسطس ١٩١٧.)" [و‎‎١‎٠‎٠] (٤٨٨/٢٠٤)

If open channels are used for railway or other purposes, they should he
carefully policed when troops are near them, especially when used for irrigation
as well.
Incidentally, Beled station and well were examined by O. 0. Water Ex
aminations, who reports that he thinks too much water is being drawn from
the well, that the water appeared to be going slightly brackish, and would pro
bably become more so—a serious point, if the present garrison should remain
unless piping and pump were available to link up the station and river. He
made various recommendations some of which were carried out. While here,
he, with I). A. D. W. examined the gravel pits 4| miles north of the station
and there found a superior quality of quartz sand, eminently suitable for fil
tering water, and equal in quality to Shaiba or imported sand. More is said to
exist near Sindiyeh and at Tor. It should be borne in mind for use at any
filters established in Baghdad.
(3) There are 8 installations along the Tigris between Sindiyeh, Sadiyah*
and below. Sanitary Section is running all except three.
(4) One Division is utilizing pumps and pump wells, and open channels »
but have had some difficulty in regularising their pumping arrangements and
settling matters with the cultivators. Here very careful policing will be
necessary to see that water introduced to the Hindenberg line for animal and
road watering purposes is net surreptitiously drunk to save the trouble of a
journey to the tanks near the river bank.
(5) One Division has utilized pump, engine, and pipes for a Brigade ; but
they will, unless pipes are forthcoming, require to work with open ‘ cuts ’ for
the camps of 2 incoming Brigades. This will require careful policing.
( 6 ) The City :—The original scheme on which D. M. S.’s comments an d
recommendations were made to E, in C. has hung fire so far owing to lack of
pumps and priority of work. I would urge that, as the various H. Q., Civil
and other establishments of the Army of occupation are likely to remain in
present <c Billets,the scheme be gone on with, especially if pumps can be
made available from I. W, T., as the removal of the intakes would ensure a
much purer supply. Experimental work in connection with automatic
chlorination at the present intakes is in progress, and P. B men to control such
are being asked for, with a view to training by 0. C. Water Examinations.
(7) A number of expert water engineers and chemists under the control
of the I. W. T. have, I understand, arrived in Mesopotamia. Their services,
when placed at the disposal of the Expeditionary Eorce, will be of the greatest
assistance and value
( 8 ) Local, orders have been issued, at instance of Army Commander,
regarding the tightening up of the local billet chlorination, and the employment
of the disciplinary action to enforce this.
Vll. Entomology .—The fly season is almost over, except in the City,
where flies obtain protection and survive the hot weather in a way they cannot
do in the open.
An officer, before leaving on 19th June for India, summarised his ohserva-
tions for the past year in a very interesting note on “ Natural Ely Incidence.”
Appended is his chart which shows maximum incidence in October, November
and ilpril, May, the double curve in the “ off ” season showing the difference
of incidence in an Arab town and in Arab camp in the desert, and the more
rapid.response to suitable breeding conditions in the former.
He contrasts results in Amarah, after careful sanitation, proves that, with
the careful methods in use in early spring, the incidence in May 1917 was less
than in the winter months—and that the reduction of this has been phenomenal.
Trapping alone cannot be depended upon, as an irreducible incidence is
maintained when breeding and killing are balanced, so that we are forced to
rely on climate or careful conservancy to upset this. He suggests that all flies
“ over wintering ” in permanent camps should be killed off by traps or spray,
while their activity is low, even though fly season has not commenced.