Geology of 
site 
Population 
Meteorological 
conditions 
G2 SANITAIIY NOTES. KH.MiTOUM 
A glance at the map, page 75, will explain the general situation for all practical purposes. 
There can he no douht that Felkin’s ci'iticisins, fi’om a sanitary standpoint, were fully justified, 
and his view as regards the new Khartoum is shared by many, including Sir Charles Watson, 
who served on General Gordon’s staff. 
There may, however, have been good and weighty reasons for rebuilding the town on its 
old site, and it must be confessed that Khartoum North is a dusty spot. Still, had the whole 
town been on the northern bank, the southern could have been cultivated freely, without 
much risk of mosquito invasion, the outlook would have been pleasant, on green gardens, 
palm groves and dura fields, while the problem of sanitation — especially as regards water 
supply and sewage disposal —would have been greatly simplified. Now one has to cater for 
two towns instead of one, and two towns separated by a wide and often rapidly-flowing river. 
This same river too would to some extent have mitigated the dust nuisance produced by the 
southern haboubs, for the stretch of water has often a remarkable effect in diverting or 
aborting the lesser sand-storms. 
As regards the geology of the site, the alluvial deposit of clay and sand extends to a depth 
of about 70 feet, and is their replaced by a comparatively porous sandstone. Layers of this 
Nubian sandstone are found to a depth of some 300 feet, and in them occur beds of gravel, 
some of which are water-bearing. Strata of clay are said to seam the sandstone, but reliable 
evidence as to their presence is lacking. The surface soil for the most part consists of loose 
sand. Where this is absent or has been blown away by wind action, black-cotton soil is found, 
a soil very liable to cracks and fissures, some of which extend to a considerable depth. Thus 
the nest of a jerboa, containing two adults, was found 12 feet from the surface at a point 
immediately to the south of the Gordon College. 
The whole site of the town, as mentioned in the last Keport, is honeycombed with shallow 
wells, there being now over 800. These will be considered in more detail when we come 
to the section dealing with water supply. 
Fojndation. —The calculated population tor 1908 is — 
' Khartoum ... ... ... ... ... 14,872 
Khartoum North ... ... ... 21,072 
Total .. 36,544 
Some actually place the population of Khartoum North, owing to the recent influx of natives, 
at 50.000, but I am certain this is an over-estimate. 1 believe 25,000 is nearer the mark 
than the figure given, and for Khartoum one works upon a basis of 16,000 in arranging for 
sanitary needs. Of this 16,000 .1 should say there are some 400 British (with the British 
regiment 1000), about 3000 other Europeans, mostly Greeks and Italians, the remainder 
being chiefly Egyptians, Copts, Syrians, Levantines (a comprehensive term), Arabs, Sudanese 
(partly Arab, partly negro), and Nilotic negroes. There are as a rule about 3000 native 
troops — Egyptians and blacks - quartered both in Khartoum and Khartoum North. 
Owing to its geographical position and to the river trade, people are constantly coming 
and going, and hence, as previously stated, malaria infected persons frequently (Plato VII), 
and at times filaria infected individuals, are added to the number of inhabitants. 
Meteorological Conditions. — Through the kindness of the S.M.O. Khartoum, I am able 
to sulimit a talile of meteorological conditions compiled by Sergeant Squire, Pi.A.M.C., 
attached E.A. The recording work for the Egyptian Survey Department has recently been 
taken over by the laboratories, and is under the charge of Mr. Goodson, .\ssistant Chemist. 
The following results give a very fair idea of the kind of climate enjoyed by Khartoum. Some 
of the later humidity figures were not worked out, liut the mean may he taken at aiiout 
38 per cent. 
