Prisoners’ Aid.—­There is no relief committee in the camp; so far, no general relief funds have been sent.  Sergeant-Major Hussein Hissan, a native of Constantinople, told us that, although there were many poor prisoners in the camp, there was no need to send help, as all prisoners are well fed, well clothed and supplied with tobacco.

Prisoners’ Behaviour.—­What strikes one more than anything else on entering the camp is the prevailing orderliness and cleanliness.  A Turkish sergeant-major commands each group of huts, and a Turkish sergeant is responsible for each dormitory.  The prisoners are smart, give the military salute and come to attention at the orders of the non-commissioned officers when those in command pass through the camp.

Sergeant-Major Hassar Mohammed, from Angora, and Hamid Abdallah, from Koniah (Asia Minor), told us, on behalf of their fellow prisoners, that they had no complaints to make, and assured us of the kind treatment which they receive.

On their part, the English officers and non-commissioned officers declared that the prisoners are well disciplined and very willing.  In short, we took away with us an excellent impression of Heliopolis Camp.

2.  Hospital No. 2, at Abbassiah, near Cairo.

(Visited on January 2, 1917.)

This hospital, on the pavilion system, and arranged in accordance with the requirements of modern practice, is reserved exclusively for German, Austrian, Bulgarian and Turkish prisoners of war.  It is staffed by head doctor Wickermann, assisted by four English doctors.  Some English Red Cross nurses and 18 Turkish orderlies attend to the sick and wounded.  These nurses and orderlies are engaged only with treatment.  The rough ward work and cleaning are done by native employes.  The pavilions are built of stone and separated by intervals of 32-1/2 feet.  The roofs are of cement.  Along one side runs a covered gallery wherein beds and arm-chairs are placed for the open-air cure of patients for whom it is prescribed.  The floor of the pavilions is a kind of linoleum made of sawdust and cement, and is covered with palm mats.  The windows are large, and the cubic space per patient ample.  The beds are arranged in two rows and have spring and stuffed mattresses.  Blankets are not stinted.  The rooms are scrupulously clean; and the hospital sterilising chamber serves to disinfect the clothes, which, after being washed and labelled, are stored in a wardrobe and handed back to the owners when they leave the hospital.  The prisoners have no trouble over them.  A large supply of things for the patients is kept in the laundry.

Clothing.—­The hospital patients wear pyjamas like those of British soldiers; and, like the latter, convalescents wear a bright blue suit with white facings and a red necktie.  Patients able to sit up have folding easy-chairs at their disposal.

Dressings.—­The hospital drug department is well stocked.  The wounded are supplied with surgical appliances, and with artificial limbs of the most perfect make.