68 
Bilharziasis 
during the late autumn months. During the early part of the year the rate 
of infestation appears to be a low one; this circumstance is possibly due to the 
fact that the larger and more adult molluscs (which are those most generally 
infested) have been swept away by the winter rains. 
There is therefore very considerable risk in contracting bilharziasis by snipe 
shooting, especially in flooded fields and marshes in the vicinity of native 
villages. 
It is necessary to remember that the fresh-water snails are not found in 
brackish water, nor are they present in swamps which dry up in the summer 
months, as they cannot survive prolonged desiccation. There are also many 
large tracts of shooting ground in Egypt, the Fayoum, in which, for some 
reason or other, neither Bullinus nor Planorbis occurs. 
The sportsman visiting an area infested with bilharziasis should be pro¬ 
vided with rubber waders which should reach well above the umbilicus; but 
it is not sufficient to trust to high boots or thick clothing alone, as the cercariae 
can easily penetrate their interstices. 
There is considerable danger in fishing also; several instances have occurred 
in Egypt in which soldiers have contracted the infection while thus engaged, 
apparently from handling newly caught fish in the sweet-water canal. Those 
addicted to fishing should be warned, on this account, to wear rubber 
gloves. 
Similar precautions must be taken by those whose duties consist in pro¬ 
curing water from canals for bathing purposes. Cases of infection have oc¬ 
curred in men detailed to supply water for baths, horse-troughs, etc. 
Finally it must be remembered that there is considerable danger even in 
riding through infested water, as for instance, in watering horses. Mounted 
troops in Egypt were apt to be offenders in this respect and constantly had to 
be warned about it. 
Men who conscientiously adopted every other precaution against bilhar¬ 
ziasis have been observed “swimming” their horses in a very dangerous 
locality. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 
In completing this Report we should like to place on record our apprecia¬ 
tion of the manner in which the investigation has been facilitated and en¬ 
couraged. 
The Laboratory Staff of No. 14 Australian General Hospital—the late 
Staff-Sergeant C. F. Sullivan, B.Sc., Corporal R. C. Stephens, and Private E. 
Panelli—have rendered us invaluable assistance and have frequently worked 
overtime in order to facilitate this work. 
