'Reconaissance through Baluchistan and Seistan, 1897' [‎21v] (47/120)

4
Climate.
Seasons
and winds.
38
The altogether too unfavourable estimate of the Seistan climate, formed by
other^ officers who have passed this way, will be found to be at variance with my
experience. J
Being the first European who made a prolonged stay (extending over an entire hot
season) an opportunity was afforded myself and party of carefully observing the physical
effects both in the inhabitants, ourselves, and the equine element (i.e., horses, camels,
and mules) in my transport train.
(consequent on rapid travel, during flying visits by other officers, a fair opportunity
^ the true factors in the causation of diseases could hardly be expected.
Conclusions drawn from native report (in all things greatly exaggerated) cannot be
altogether relied upon.
On the principle of giving the devil his due, the climate is not at all so bad as we
have been led to believe; the erroneous idea hitherto prevalent, that the country
is unsuited to European occupation all the year round, can be dispelled. There is
nothing to depress the bodily powers and produce the lassitude from which we suffer
during a hot weather in the plains of India. Throughout the hot season the heat is
tempered by northern winds, and the nights are fairly cool. There are no hardships
which a moderate degree of foresight in preparation will not overcome.
During our stay in Seistan my party were under field-service tents the whole time;
we travelled the entire country, walking a good deal; were repeatedly above our knees
in water, often up to our waists; and, more often than I can now recollect, we all bathed
in the Hamun and deep pools.
We travelled along the grassy fringe, encamping for days together quite close to
the waters right round from north-east to south-west, and always slept in the open at
night with a blanket or two over us. Accompanied by one or two of the party I have
shot from sunrise to mid-day, both in the Hamun waters and swamps, sometimes on reed
boats (tutins), and on other occasions wading during the very hottest days in the year
(thermometer registering 110 degrees, 112 degrees, 116 degrees). Neither then or
since have I personally had any fever, malarial taint, or abdominal complaint (have
repeatedly suffered from both in India); and out of my entire party of 86 all told there
were but two mild cases of fever amongst the cavalry sowars, and two amongst levee
sowars. These I attribute more to sun exposure and fatigue fever than actual^malaria.
A small party of us, including myself, horses, &c., suffered from the sharp and depressing
effects of severe purging, &c., being compelled to drink the saline and highly surcharged
alkaline waters in the southern waters of the Hamun when caught in a violent sandstorm
on the Shelag desert, and when exploring the limestone range called Palancv Koh &c
on the west. & ’ v
Man^ and beast suffered alike, and in no case could this be attributed to climatic
causes. I he cause and effect were the results of an impure and poisonous water supply
which, nolens volens, we were all forced to drink. 1 J
W e all felt the heat crossing the intervening deserts of Baluchistan, much more
t ian uhile in Seistan, but this may possibly be due to long, rapid marches, want of
condition, and sudden change from cold of Quetta to great heat, and a paucity of water
at all times bad.
the hot weather favoured our endeavours to be industrious, and we were much in
the open. 1 he repeated tours, which alone kept the party fit in such a country at this
season of the year, enabled us to verify by personal observation each detail which had
also been otherwise compiled while halting.
There are four seasons of the year, viz.:—
Spring .. „. .. .. April to June (Bahar).
Summer .. .. .. .. July to September (Lawar).
Autumn .. .. .. .. September to December (Tirmah).
inter .. .. .. .. December to March (Zamistan).
There is a maximum of hot weather and a minimum of cold, neither of which
can be considered very vigorous. The transition of hot weather to cold is short and
sudden.
The winds might be said to be almost perpetual. The light gales of wind styled
the Bad-i-Bahar, always commence in the middle of May; it blows steadily all day rising
about 9 o clock a.m., and falling about 4 o’clock p.m.; it is most refreshing, reducino- the
temperature considerably by day, and rendering the nights cool, the early mornino-s bein«-
not unfrequently chilly. From the middle of July, when the Bad-i-Bahar becomes hotte?,