British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 625

CHAPTER XVI.

are prepared by the sanitary engineering section of the Department, which also deals with schemes submitted for approval by individuals or organisations. Technical supervision, and in some cases the execution of schemes, is carried out by the Department's Sanitary Engineer.

In 1944 there were 182,098 potential mosquito breeding places in towns which were under regular inspection and control. Over 4,836,058 inspections were made. Oiling of breeding places was done on 1,064,392 occasions. In villages and rural areas 445 ,885 oilings of wells were done. In addition, there are approximately a thousand kilometres of streams and wadis under malarial control. 300 kilometres of drainage canals in swampy areas were also controlled. Several important marsh drainage schemes have been undertaken. In the largest scheme (Birket Ramadan marshes) some 21 kilometres of drainage canals were cut by explosives.

The measures to control ophthalmic diseases have been organised in consultation with the Warden of the Ophthalmic Hospital of the Order of St. John. Medical officers work from central stationary clinics in the ten larger towns in Palestine. They visit and supervise regularly 41 village treatment centres which are under the charge of trained medical orderlies. In addition, a mobile ophthalmic unit under a specially trained medical officer operates in the Gaza district during the summer months. During 1944 the number of new patients treated at the various Government treatment centres was 86,990. Total attendances numbered 1,574,482.

(xvii) To improve sanitation in towns and villages, and to advise regarding plans of buildings, house sanitation, drainage and water supplies.

In towns the Department acts in an advisory capacity to urban local sanitary authories in all matters pertaining to water supplies, sanitation, drainage and house construction. The Senior Medical Officers are members of the District Town Planning Commissions.

In villages, in the absence of a local authority, the Department takes steps by regular inspection to improve the general sanitation and cleanliness of the streets, homes and water supplies. Inspections are made twice monthly by sanitary sub-inspectors and, as far as possible, at monthly intervals by a medical officer. New legislation designed to facilitate this work has recently become law. Plans of new villages and settlements require the approval of the District Commissioner, who is advised by the Senior Medical Officer in regard to the lay-out, water supply, drainage, etc.

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