Hygiene

The hygiene unit continued to work efficiently. It had special difficulty in clearing up ground vacated by other troops and in the handling of the numerous civilians in the area. A number of these were evacuated when congestion was marked, and the sanitary arrangements of those remaining in the area were supervised and lidded box latrines were supplied for their use. A directive from the GOC led to the maintenance of markedly improved sanitary conditions in the divisional area.

Shower and disinfestor work was carried on, and during the quarter ended 31 March 43,400 men passed through the unit's four showers, and 2245 blankets and the effects of 263 men were disinfested. In the following three months 42,362 men were given showers and 1678 blankets and the effects of 27 men disinfested. A regular laundry service was available to all units.

Refuse was burnt in the back areas and buried in all areas. Dead mules were buried by means of bulldozers. Preventive fly-control measures were carried out assiduously and fly-traps and fly-papers used. Efficient down-draft stoves were constructed and were used by the medical units.