Page 357 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1870-77. 109
Diseases of the eye and appendages are very common, and present a
irreat variety; the principal diseases arc purulent ophthalmia and .its
sequels, opacity and ulceration of the cornea, due in a great measure to
want of cleanliness; and tarsal ophthalmia arising partly from irritation
of the lids and partly from unclean habits; cataract is not uncommon
among the Arabs of the interior. Amaurosis aud other diseases of the
posterior structures of the eyeball are very rare.
Diseases of the shin also are very common, and like those of the
eye, present a great variety. The principal forms arc eczccraa, pruritus
and oilier diseases dependent on fungus parasites. They are mostly
observed amongst the 13eloochces, and the unfixed position of the popula­
tion, being often the result of great personal uncleanliness.
Leprosy as seen in the town of Muscat itself would seem to choose
for its victims only the Negroes and the mixed race of Negroes and
Arabs; the disease is generally of the tubercular variety, and prevails
comparatively to a small extent.
Ulcers are common and arc observed principally amongst the pil­
grims and other portions of the uufixed population; they are mostly of u
constitutional origin, the system being generally tainted with scorbutic,
or syphilitic cachexia. Ancemia and malnutrition tissues are also some
of the pathological conditions in which they are observed..
Dracunculus is unknown in Muscat; eases of the disease are occa­
sionally observed in the hospital, but the history of every ease has
hitherto established the absence of the worm in or near Muscat. It is
often contracted in India or in Persia, and as the w’orm generally takes
nearly twelve months for its complete development, the disc ase may be
seen here when the worm is about to make its exit out of the body. "
/ cncrcal diseases.—Gonorrhoea of a mild form is rather common
amongst the Negroes, and is seldom attended with the usual compli­
cations of the disease. Gonorrhceal rheumatism of the muscles is, how­
ever, not an uncommon disease, and often sets in some time after the
discharge from the urethra has ceased.
Syphilis. There is almost a total absence of the primary infecting
chancre, the disease in almost every case having been contracted some­
where else. Secondary syphilis and syphilitic cachexia are generally
observed amongst the Persians and Indians, as the result of the primary
disease contracted in their own countries. J