'REPORT on the Working of the Line of Communication AND ON THE Withdrawal of the British Military Mission IN EAST PERSIA, 1919-20. GENERAL STAFF INDIA. [‎69v] (149/168)

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a large number of camels practically always on the move over such a long*
Lines of Communication presented many difficulties. The unsatisfactory
condition of the camels in April and many of the casualties and cases of debi
lity could be ascribed to mange.
Treatment by dipping all camels every five days in a solution of calcium
sulphide was decided on. Temporary dips lined with paulins were made at
Meshed, Turb tt, Jumin, Kain, Birjand, Sbusp, Harmuk, Luzdap. The ingre
dients of the dip, sulphur being crude sulphur which was finely powdered
before use and made quite a satisfactory dipping solution. Liquor Creosol,
when available, was added in the proportion of 1 to 2 per cent. Palans and
gear generally were disinfected every ten days either by an immersion in a
solution of liquor creosol in water or fumigation in closed building with sul
phur dioxide, obtained by burning sulphur.
Detailed orders for treatment were issued to all concerned (vide Appen
dix 3). This treatment, in spite of many difficulties, has been satisfactorily
carried out with gratifying results, at the time of withdrawal mange having
practically disappeared, all camels being in good coat and only a very small
minority showing any traces of thickened skin. The danger of re-infection
with so many hired camels on the line is difficult to guard against, and for
this reason periodical dipping for all camels working under such conditions is
advocated.
Mange in horses and mules —Cases of Sarcoptic mange in horsts and *
mules have been met, also Psoroptic mange in horses. Mange in horses or
mules has never made any headway, as cases have been detected early and all
necessary precautions taken against spreading.
Mange in goats .—Saicoptic mange v\as met with in many stations
amongst slaughter goats, often in a very advanced stage.
This disease was very soon eradicated, affected animals being slaughtered,
pens disinfected and greater care being exercised in veterinary inspections
when taking over from contractors
Jhwling .—This disease was very prevalent last winter. On April 25th,
1920, the number of cases under treatment was 196. Eoutine dipping for
camels for mange has, I believe, to a large extent, been the reason for the
reduction in the number of cases, only 33 remaining under treatment on
October 30th, 1920. The 54th Camel Corps, in which unit dipping has been
most thoroughly carried out, had 51 cases in April, and on October 25th on
return to India, not a single case remained under treatment. The specific
treatment adopted for this disease was rigid isolation of cases, the application
of binoxodide of mercury blLter, followed by a dressing of a strong solution
of crystals of potassium permanganate.
Surra .—A careful lookout has been kept for Surra in camels. Only one
case has been diagnosed and that in a remount camel from India No Govern
ment camels have been employed in Sistan where Tabanidae and other biting
flies are numerous and Surra in camels is reported to be prevalent. Tabanidae
have been seen at Kain and Stomoxyes are common on the whole length of
the Lines of Communication.
Glanders .—During the period under review, six cases of Glanders occurred
in Meshed in animals of Malmiss Force and Lines of Ccommunication animals,
the majority of which w r ere diagnosed by a general testing of all animals with
Mallein. All cases were destroyed and the usual precautions taken. One
horse with Meshed B. column showing suspicious symptoms was malleined,
reacted and was destroyed at Birjand on 14th September. Special orders re
garding disinfection of water troughs on the Lines of Communication during the
withdrawal were issued, also orders forbidding the use of Government troughs
by civilian owned animals. As a further precaution, all horses and mules
w T ere tested with mallein on arrival at Hurmuk or Duzdap before proceeding to
Sistan, Kwash or India with the following results.
Two horses and 2 mules gave positive reactions and were destroyed and
burnt; 49 horses and 19 mules gave doubtful reactions. Of these to date 14th,
11th, 10th, 11 horses and 2 mules have been retested and all passed except one
horse which reacted and was destroyed and burnt, leaving 38 horses and 17