Do not drink unboiled milk at any time.
Malaria is quite prevalent in Syria. It is carried by a particular kind of mosquito which breeds in marshy areas, uncovered wells and cisterns, and in shallow water pools along the seacoast. If at all possible, stay away from areas where malaria is common. When you can't do this, sleep under nets and keep your arms and legs covered, especially at dusk.
Sandflies, which are smaller than mosquitoes and which can get through an ordinary mosquito net carry a slight three-day fever which is not serious but is weakening. It is known as sandfly fever. Sandflies are most prevalent in midsummer. Coating yourself with a light oil will give you some protection from them.
Venereal disease is fairly widespread in Syria. Don't take chances.
These are some general health suggestions. Your medical and sanitary officers will give you others.
CURRENCY, WEIGHTS, MEASURES, ETC.
Syrian Currency. The rate of exchange of Syrian money to United States currency varies, so that the table below can only give approximate ratios. The principal unit of currency is the Syrian pound, which is worth 46c in American money and is divided into 100 "piastres" (pee-AS-turz) or "irsh" (the Arabic word for piastre). The approximate values of the various piastre pieces are given below. An easy way to remember Syrian currency is to think of each piastre as being worth just about half of an American cent.
| 1 pound (100 piastres)=46c U. S. 50 piastres=23c U. S. 25 piastres=11c U. S. 10 piastres=5c U. S. |
5 piastres (called "1 franc")=4c U. S. 1 piastre=½c U. S. ½ piastre=½c U. S. |
Palestinian Currency. In some parts of the country you will also run into Palestinian currency, so you had better know something about its value, too. The principal unit of Palestinian currency is the Palestinian pound, which is worth approximately $4,00 in American money and is divided into 1,000 "mils." Like the Syrian piastre, each mil is worth about half of an American cent. The table
