Document

Water in Macedonia

10th, June, 1918

We never miss the water till the wells run dry. How many times have we all been told that in boyhood days? How often have so many of us been lectured, that a time would come when necessity would remind us that we did – although slow to realise it – once lived in a land of plenty. Experience has now taught us that there is much truth in the old saying. Undoubtedly our experience in a hot climate has awakened us to the benefits of a good supply of wholesome water.

It would be wrong to state that the supply in Macedonia is inadequate – far from it – sometimes we get too much. Especially is that true when bivouacs threaten to leave their moorings to be washed down the hillslope into the rushing torrent beneath. The native – Greek, Turk or Macedonian, whichever one cares to name him – has taken precautions to ensure a sufficient water supply for his needs. I have no doubt his needs are more easily satisfied than ours, as generally I am left with the impression that a few gallons of water, a bar of soap, and a scrubbing brush used freely would improve his general appearance. What satisfies Jonny Greek will scarcely leave us content.

Drinking and cooking water is usually got from springs that ooze from the hillsides. The water is caught in a cup shaped basin. Generally spring water is clear, pure, and pleasing to the eye. Out here it is occasionally not pleasing to the taste.

But these springs are more dangerous than their humble situations would suggest. If the onlooker observes what becomes of the overflow he will have matter for thought. More so if he is responsible for the battalion water supply.

The water trickles over the side of the basin and flows quickly down the donga. After a short distance it disappears and may not be seen again for a considerable way further down. Then it comes to light once more – perhaps as another spring. So really the water is actually being supplied from a stream which at intervals flows underground.

Follow the gully to its higher reaches and the stream in many cases will be found to pass through a native village. And a native village, like the villager, is not a model of cleanliness. In fact, sanitation seems to have no place in the dictionary of a Macedonian. The river bed or stream becomes the dump for every sort of refuse. All kinds of filth are deported there in the hope that when rain comes, it will be washed away.

A large percentage of these people are also dysentery patients. Hence the danger to the troops cannot be over-estimated. The same dangers, only much worse, are encountered when forced to use water from constant streams.

Again water in Macedonia means mosquitoes, and these mean malaria.

From what I have already written it will be easily understood that all water, no matter how good it appears, must be tested before permission is given to use it. It will also be evident that the springs must be rid of mosquitoes.

Once it has been decided to use a spring, the basin is thoroughly cleaned out, and the front closed with a door. If possible a pump is affixed so that there is no necessity to open the door, in that way the water is preserved as clean as possible. Even then the precautions are not finished. In every instance, no matter whether among the hills on the march, or in one of the large standing camps near the base, drinking water is chlorinated. A sufficient quantity of bleaching powder is added to kill of the germs of water-borne diseases. The principle that “it is better to keep well than make well” is always acted upon.

The health of the troops, and the diminishing cases of sickness, owe not a little to the unwearying exertions of the medical staffs. And, in climates such as this, a part of the credit can with justice be claimed for their endeavours to provide the soldier with a sufficient supply of good water.

David Brown (’07-’09)

Date: 10-Jun-1918

Author: David Brown

Where to find this: https://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/palace.green/collections/dc/The_Bede_v14-no3_August_1918.pdf

Contributed by Fiona Johnson