'Despatch by Brigadier-General Sir P. M. Sykes, K.C.I.E., C.M.G., Inspector-General, South Persia Rifles and Commanding British Mission Escort in Persia on Minor Operations in Southern Persia. From 7th November 1917 to 31st March 1918' [‎4v] (8/40)

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Veterinary
Object of tour.
Rifles have been well looked after by the Assistant Director of Medical Services,
Lieutenant-Colonel H. Burdon, C.LE. During November and December 1917,
cases of cholera occurred in villages north of Kirman. Quarantine arrangements
made by the South Persia Rifles prevented the infection from reaching Kirman.
During December 1917 cases were reported at Kazerun suspected to be cholera.
Quarantine arrangements were made by the South Persia Rifles at Dasht Arjan.
During February a severe outbreak of cholera occurred in the Badeh villages, ten
miles east of Shiraz.
A good many cases and a few deaths, have also occurred in and around Shiraz.
During February and March 1918, medical arrangements and quarantine arrange
ments have beeh provided, and the epidemic has practically ceased. Turee deattrs
occurred in the South Persia Rifles at Shiraz.
The health of the South Persia Rifles continues to be remarkably good.
The chief disease is venereal. Many of the worst cases of venereal have been dis
charged from the South Persia Rifles. Considerable improvements have been
effected in the South Persia Rifles lines and quarters, in the provision of washhouses
and bathing arrangements, and improvements in kitchens and bakeries.
Improvements and the cleaning and drainage of roads and surroundings
of the lines have been carried out at Shiraz, Kirman, Bandar Abbas and all the main
outposts.
13. Veterinary hospitals exist at Shiraz and Kirman. and veterinary assistants,
as far as available, have been allotted to the main points on the lines of communica
tions. The various arrangements have been well supervised by Major J. Harrison,
A.V.C.
Between November 1917 and March 1918, 39 horses and 1 mule have been
destroyed for glanders at Kirman, and 18 horses and 3 mules at Shiraz.
All newly purchased animals are segregated and tested for glanders.
TOUR OF INSPECTOR-GENERAL, SOUTH PERSIA RIFLES.
* (November 11th, 1917—March 18th, 1918).
The visit of the Inspector-General to Delhi was mainly undertaken to secure
support for the South Persia Rifles, in the shape of additional artillery, more person
nel, and more transport; to obtain permission to commence building barracks ; to
remove certain financial difficulties and, finally, to pass through the scheme of orga
nization, South Persia Rifles, (15-A. Q. G.) which had been drawn up by Colonel
E. F. Orton and had been despatched to India on 9th August 1917.
In Persia itself the Inspector General’s tour programme included
(i) Inspection of Kirman Brigade at Kirman and Saidabad ; of the 1st In
fantry at Bandar Abbas and Gakum ; and of the 5th Infantry detach
ment at Niriz.
(ii) Inspection and examination of alternative alignments for the motor
road between Bandar Abbas and Kirman.
This tour has contributed greatly to a closer ‘ liaison ’ between the Headquar
ters of the South Persia Rifles, Shiraz, and the Kirman Brigade and Bandar Abbas.
The Inspector General has thereby obtained an intimate acquaintance both with
officers and their work in these remote districts, and has been able to remove many
difficulties, abuses, petty grievances, and misunderstandings, which his tour brought,,
to light.
2. Tire Inspector-General and his staff officer, Lieutenant-Colonel G. P. Grant,
General Staff; motored the first 360 miles of the journey as far as Hajiabad, and
marched the remaining 140 miles to Bandar Abbas. Various alternative routes
were examined en route. From Guhra to Bandar Abbas, a little known route
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