'Military Report on Persian Seistan' [‎20r] (44/188)

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CHAPTER IV.—CLIMATE.
The climate of Seistan is very fully described by Bellew and Brazier-Creagh.
The former makes it out as most unhealthy, but as he was only there in the
winter it seems preferable to accept the latter’s version, who spent the whole
summer in the country, especially as his account is borne out by Major
Trench, lately British Vice-Consul in Seistan, who just before leaving the
country thus describes the climate : —
“ After one year’s experience in Persia I am prepared to state that the
climate of Seistan is not as hot as any ordinary plains station in India ; the
water of the I' aizar or Hamun does not make it damp, but cools the hot
winds as they pass over it, and I have hardly had any cases of fever
amongst my followers during the time I have been here. ,,
Major Benn, at present British Vice-Consul in Seistan, also reports
favourably on the climate in his diaries. After this report of Major
Trench’s, confirmed by Major Benn, Major Brazier-Creagh’s account of the
climate seems more reliable than that of Dr. Bellew; an extiact dealing with
the climate from the former’s report is appended.
Meteorological observations made by Lieutenant Napier in 1892-93 and
Major Brazier-Creagh in 1897 are attached in Appendix.
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.
Being the first European who made a prolonged stay (extending over an
entire hot season) an opportunity was afforded myself and pa ty of carefully
observing the physical effects both in the inhabitants, ourselves, and the
equine element yi.e., horses, camels, and mules) in my transpoit train.
Consequent on rapid travel, during flying visits by other officers, a fair
opportunity of gauging the true factors in the causation of diseases could
hardly be expected. Conclusions drawn from native report (in all things
gieatly exaggerated) cannot be al too ether relied upon.
On the principle of giving the devil his due, the climate is not at a 1 so
bad as we have been led to believe ; the erroneous ; dea h therto 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 duri' g 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 preparat ion 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 nor two of the party l have shot from sunrise to mid-day, both in the
Hamun waters and swamps, sometimes on reed boats (tutius), and on other
occasions wading during the very hottest days in the year (thermometer
registering 110 degrees, 112 degrees, 11 ti degrees). Neither then or since
have I personally had any fever, malaria! tai.it, or abdominal complaint (have