The mosquitoes

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 60 Location : UK

What protection did the soldiers relating to mosquitoes have. Did they have nets or similar? some kind of spray ? Or did they learn how to deal with this from the Boers. Maybe some kind of Herbal remedy?

Subject: The mosquitoes Mon Jul 15, 2013 11:59 am

John there was in my mind no protection whatsover from Mosquitoes , considering they didnt have tents for most of the campaign ! , I doubt there was a spray of any sort , certainly no such thing as an aerosol ! . Considering their limited knowledge on fevers and water borne contaminates , I doubt there was any type of preventional care . Unless , of course , they picked up some sort of local remedy . Very happy to be corrected , the Sth African connection may also be able to shed some light on this matter .
90th

Posts : 1095 Join date : 2009-01-14 Location : East London

George Morris wrote (to his mother at Pontypool) from Helpmekaar, while the Third Column assembled to invade Zululand.

"I never seen such lightning in my life as in this country. I wish I was a civilian here for some time. I could soon save a lot of money as wages are very good here, and provisions not very dear. I suppose by the time or before you receive this we shall be on active operations against the Zulus, and they are very numerous and well armed, but God protect the right. There are lots of wild animals around here, deer, tigers (leopards?), jackals and poisonous snakes; the mosquitoes are a regular nuisance."

Posts : 1604 Join date : 2009-09-21

From the The Diary of Captain Ronald George Elidor Campbell
Zulu war 1878-1879

"This is a very pretty place surrounded by mountains, very few trees. Have got a room at the Royal Hotel, the fleas and mosquitoes are fearful and I am one mass of bites."

Campaign Life in the British Army During the Zulu War Brian [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Posts : 1604 Join date : 2009-09-21

Here's an eye opener!!!

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Posts : 1604 Join date : 2009-09-21

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Just out of interest?