'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III. PART II: L to Z' [‎131r] (266/988)

MUH—MUH
7 50"
havb een compelled to remain so long at Basrah. I may further adduce
a* a pi oof that, during the fifteen months I commanded the steamers Euph-
• ateS and Ass 2/ na > 1 on ly ost two men—one from an accident, the other
in consequence of a chronic disease of seven years standing.-
Curzon mentions a report that 40 per cent, of the then 2,000 inhabitants
were swept away by cholera in 1889; and in June and July 1904 this
disease was epidemic in Muhammareh, so much so that many of the
meichants left the town and business was at a standstill; the disease spread
through the province, which was not clear of it until the end of November
T he insanitary state of the town no doubt accounts for much sickness
which is attributed to “climate.” l lv nes.s
There was another bad outbreak ot cholera in 1911. The following extract
^ takenfrom an official report of 1911 upon cases of various diseases^ated
the ties ' S 6P emK m * he t ° Wn “ d bazaais 11 P« cent of
of^1n“ts e tt^ Numbers
Many of the children suffer from ophthalmrb ^ tTrf'the dL^slt
patients were eye cases. (The lay observer would have ex pelted ^ 0 ™
greater percentage, for almost every other person in the poorer clashes at
pears to have some defect of the eye.) ^ ' es a P
Venereal diseases totalled 7 per cent, of those treated, but this in all
probability represents noting like the true percentage amongst thl plnula
tion (oO pei cent, is considered a fair estimate in most Persia! townsf. ?
Diseases of the skin account for 6 per cent.
5 ^S^Sattendffit and Chr0ni ° br ° nChitiS ’
liheumatic affections 3 per cent.
Tubercular disease was present in 15 per cent, of the patients but ua
microscopical examinations were made. ^ ' but no
Be,o,trees and Supplies.—Vor water see “ General Description Laro-e
stocks of rice and dates are generally available in the bdzar of Muhammareh
tovyn. ihe chief products of the country seem to be barley, lucerne erass
omons, beans and dates Mules are not obtainable for a small bodv Tl
squadion) and to get them from up-country one month’s notice is required
are of^ a n inferior quality I' 6 tainab ' e ‘ 0 “ extent ’ ^ the latte,'
Camping-grounds—^ most suitable camping-grounds unless for
any special reason ,t is found advisable to camp a force close to the town
" Oil d be on either bank of the Karun above the town and above the point
whence the Bahmashir takes its course to the sea. Here there is amffie
ground on either side of the river. ple
mWhT- SUC K 1 th i° Se ° f A 116 m , 0Unted branch t who were likely to proceed
W 17 { A?' 1 W0U } d l P re fo'“bly be camped on the left bank whence
they could reach Ahwaz without having to cross the river which is no
A^lytheVktb-"* be crossed iQ
Hay is at no time available.