Water supply and mosquitoes British occupation of the Jordan Valley

bivouac on jordan river, men washing clothes , exercising horses, pontoon bridge , hills of moab in distance

the 1 generous feature of valley water supply; muddy jordan river flowed throughout year in trough 100–150 feet (30–46 m) below valley floor, fed numerous clear springs , wadis running on either side. new zealanders enjoyed physical benefits of bathing in jordan @ 1 time or during campaign in bath such luxury.

in left sector australian mounted division stationed there several sources of water; jordan river, wadi el auja, , wadi nueiameh, flowed ain el duk, , jordan @ el ghoraniyeh. latter wadi used headquarters of valley defences. section of valley patrolled anzac mounted division crossed wadis auja, mellahah, nueiameh , kelt jordan river several extensive marshes in jungle on banks. nullahs astonishingly deep, dense vegetation , quite big trees. area notorious subtertian or malignant malaria , in particular whole valley of wadi el mellahah swarming anopheles larvae, worst kind of mosquitoes.

a thousand men cut down jungle, drained marshes , swamps, streams cleared of reeds burnt, canals created there no opportunity standing water, holes filled in, stagnant pools oiled , hard standings horses constructed. cultivated area @ source of ain es sultan (jericho s water supply) treated 600 members of egyptian labour corps on period of 2 months. no breeding of larvae demonstrated 3 days after work complete areas had continually maintained special malarial squads of sanitary section , indian infantry brigade. these measures successful during 6 months september incidence of malaria in chauvel s force on 5 per cent cases occurring on front line or in no man s land; while incidence of malaria in reserve areas low.

however, despite efforts, cases of malaria reported during may , reports of fever steadily developed heat , dust increased , men became less physically fit lowered ability resist sickness. in addition malaria, minor maladies became common; thousands of men suffered blood diseases known sand-fly fever , five-day fever , manifested in excessive temperatures, followed temporary prostration, , few escaped severe stomach disorders.