Page 678 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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Total number of deaths in
the hospital 6
Number of major operations 1
Number of minor operations 271

The most prevalent diseases wore, minor septic diseases,

diseases due to malnutrition, malaria, venereal disease, ear and eye
diseases, dysentery, bowel diseases and T.B.
Large numbers of the population suffer from ulcers and
allied skin diseases. The cause is not always easy to know, but such

conditions are closely connected to other diseases due to malnutrition
and venereal diseases. Ear and eye diseases nay also be included in
the above group as being due to some lack of vitamins. These diseases

may almost be said to be confined to the poor class of the population^.
I.'alaria has shown a very satisfactory decrease, possibly
due to the people becoming a little more malaria conscious and the Health

Department1s taking up of the matter seriously. This year separate figures
of malaria infections as they occurred in i jus cat and Iluttrah were not
maintained. The population of these two towns are constantly changing

their abode from ijcttrah to I Muscat, and vice versa. The figure therefore
shows only the place where the patient was resident at the time of illness
not necessarily the place where infection occurred.
Eysentery and Bowel diseases are very difficult to eradicate

as the fly infestation of LJuscat and Ihittrah is very great. Tuberculosis,
like venereal disease, is regarded as a v.eiy common ailment and no regard
is paid to their evil consequences even by the better class citizens.

The L’edical Store Depot at Bonibay has been the main source
of supply in the past. During 1947 they supplied about half of what was
asked for. Supplementary indents were not complied with, as the matter of

further supplies has been referred to the New Indian Government, and so far
no decision has been arrived at. If further supplies are not received, »
requisition will have to be made to firms in the United Kingdom*

/ Ho