'Military report on Tehran and adjacent Provinces of North-West Persia (including the Caspian Littoral)' [‎93r] (190/610)

which generally forms on exposed parts of the body (i.e., the
face or back of the wrist), takes a long time to get well, and
leaves a disfiguring scar. Infection is carried by flies or mos
quitoes.
Besides malaria other fevers are prevalent, such as sandfly ^
fever (sandflies are ubiquitous in summer up to 6000', but may Altitude,
be avoided to some extent by sleeping away from walls, or in an
open space with a current of air, e.g., on a roof,) and chills
are easily contracted on the plateau, owing to the diurnal
variation of temperature. Pneumonia, tubercle and chest
troubles attacked many Indians at Kazvin in the winters of
1918-1919 and 1919-1920. The altitude of the plateau is con
ducive to *heart and lung diseases. ,
The dust and glare in summer cause eye-soreness and con
junctivitis, or inflammation of the inner lining of the eyelids,
and travellers at this season should wear coloured glasses
The snow glare in winter in the highlands is very severe.
Rheumatism occurs in the Caspian provinces.
Naturally this is a healthy area with the exception of the summary.
Caspian provinces from June to September, and that the severity
of winter on the plateau causes pneumonia among Indians.
The diseases, which are prevalent chiefly in summer, are
mostly due to the insanitary habits of the people, and immunity
from them may be secured by precautionary measures.
These are :—
1. Anti-typhoid inoculation and vaccination.
2. Boil or chlorinate drinking water.
3. Boil milk.
4. Avoid eating uncooked vegetables or fruits.
This does not of course apply to those that have remov
able outer skin.
5. Strict attention to personal cleanliness and prevention
of lice.
6. Avoid sleeping, if possible, in old buildings and sarais,
etc., and when compelled to stay in these places use a
wooden platform, usually obtainable locally, or a
camp bed.
7. Use of mosquito curtains during the summer months.
Authorities differ as to the benefit derived from prophy
lactic doses of quinine. If taken, 5 grains daily
between 16-00 and 17-00 hours is an appropriate dose.
8. Use of insect powder, and of vermijelli as a preventitive
against lice.
* Several cases have occurred of Europeans dying suddenly of heart disease
after long residence in Persia.