Page 315 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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This is particularly disappointing in view of the fact that,
had export licences boon obtainable, X could have purchased
all that was required in Karachi either in 1942 or this year.
These lorries are used continuously on the road
botv/cen Matrah and Muscat. I estimate that after the rain
in January this road will be quite unfit for the use of M.T.
The method of repairing in the past has been to rake loose
stones oflPthe road and when Mpot holes'1 appeared, to level
the remainder of the road down to the bottom of the hole
instead of filling up. The road is now so worn that the
surface is down to bedrock and little could be done without
a stone crusher and a roller. Owing to the terrible shaking
the lorries get on this road they have deteriorated greatly
in the last few months.
(10) MEDICAL.

The health of the force has been good. There have been
two deaths, one cancer of the stomach and one Typhoid-fever.
Malaria cases have been comparatively few but unfortunately
we are out of quinine. Although the H.O., Dr. Hynes, put in
the minimum indent a number of essentials such as Cinchona
Febrifuge, Mag. Sulphas, N.A.B. and Quinine were ommitted
completely. The Consul has been addressed on this subject.
The reduction in Malaria and Dyscntry cases is
presumably due to Anti-Malarial and Fly-Preventive measures
which have been taken.
The weekly compulsory bathing parade for all ranks,
although unpopular in* the cold weather, appears to have
reduced the number of cases of skin diseases, although ulcers
persist in the hot weather probably due to an excessive fish
diet and lack of green food. There have been very few new
cases of V.D. although a number of men have had recurrent
attacks.
The M.O. attends Bait-al-Falaij on Wednesdays and
Saturdays and at such other tines as required; he also, at
my request, attends families in their homes.

# All serious cases are taken into the Agency Hospital,
Muscat, tho remainder are kept in our own hospital.
Ul> RATIONS.
The present ration consists of *-

Atta • • • • • • • • « • • • lj lbs. or ) depending
Rice • • . 10 oz. and atta • • • 12 oz. ) on what is
Dhal • • • • • • • • • • • • 2 oz. available.
Ghee • • • • e • • • # • • • • 1 oz.
Salt •.. • • • .. • oz.
Onions • • ... .. ... oz. (approx)
Fish • •. •. • • •.. • . a oz. n
Wood • • . • . . . . • • • . 2% lbs.
In addition each man pays annas three per mensem
towards the coast of misala. During the cold weather they
also receive vegetables from the farm at Ruwi. In the last
two years I have managed to grow the following in sufficient
quantities for an occasional issue to the men t-

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