IOR/L/PS/18/B97

The Memoir, written by Surgeon-Major James McAdam Hyslop, commences by describing the location, physical geography and conditions of Mohamreh [Khorramshahr] and Busreh [Basra] before going on to describe the climate; fevers that might be suffered there; and known outbreaks of cholera. Also included are excerpts from medical reports that discuss various fevers suffered by regiments in Mohamreh and Bushire:

• Extract from a 'Medical History of the Bombay Fusiliers', by the late Doctor Francis Shortt Arnott
• Extracts from the Annual Report of the 29th Regiment, Bombay Native Light Infantry, for the year ending 31 March 1858, by Surgeon John Robert Miller
• Extract from the Annual Report of the 26th Regiment, Native Infantry, for the year 1857-1858, by Surgeon James Ebenezer Batho

The memoir continues by describing places nearby to Mohamreh and Busreh where the climate is more favourable and people less prone to suffering fever and other illnesses: Subleh, Zobeir [Zubayr], Koorna [Kūnah?], Koot-al-amarah [Kut Al-Amarah]; Sook-esh-Shiukj [Sūq ash Shuyūkh], Hillah, Baghdad. Each place has a brief description of its location and general climate. Also described are the availability of water from the rivers Karoun [Karun], Tigris and Euphrates. A detailed description of the climate of Baghdad is then given, followed by information under the following headings: Bedsteads; Water; Ice; Clothing; Snakes and Scorpions; Date mark, a disease consisting of boils on the hands and feet of adults which afflicts many who visit and live in Baghdad, and which is known in Busreh and Aleppo too.