Campagne

1918 · 185020 — Basra: Base Isolation Hospital 7 January 1918. A medical logbook Army Book 27A for the Base Isolation Hospital in Basra recording the names and afflictions of over 250 Indian Persian Kurd Arab Chinese Turkish African and Mauritian participants in the Mesopotamian Campaign. A search of the National Archives returns only four documents related to this hospital none of them medical records. In the aftermath of the capture of Baghdad in March 1917 a vast network of hospitals was set up from the capital down to Basra treating both soldiers of the British and Indian armies and Turkish prisoners. "During 1918 the principal hospital areas on the lines of communication were Baghdad Kut Amara and Basra. Special dental ophthalmological and other departments such as bathing establishments were instituted and excellently organized. All the hospitals were made as perfect as possible" MacPherson & Mitchell p. 355. Basra itself contained approximately 14 hospitals including Base Isolation Hospital. This medical logbook notes the race age rank name and role of each of the 250 people admitted in 1918. Some of the afflictions include abscesses tachycardia malaria influenza sepsis and scurvy. The majority of soldiers survived their stays although the dates of death of those who did not are also recorded. Octavo. Printed tables throughout 26 pp. filled in with manuscript 52 pp. blank. Original pink paper wrappers red cloth backstrip string-stitched and glued into wrappers as issued paper label on front wrapper annotated in manuscript fore-edge flap with pink silk bookmarker at rear. Contemporary signature of G. A. Harrison on the front wrapper. Heavily sunned wrappers a little soiled creased and nicked at edges paper label lifting at one edge but secure contents slightly toned and occasionally foxed dust-soiling in gutters: a very good example. W. G. MacPherson & T. J. Mitchell History of the Great War Based on Official Documents: Medical Services General History vol. 4 1924. hardcover