Page 110 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

12 NP.GI.RCmn ARABIA

Ali iniw walks with a very slight limp nnd u«?» only a litfil nua*. Wo ux-
Idial lie will inhiii walk quite imnually wltlmul the aul ol a walking
Mick.
“The lung residence of the wounded sheikh in the hospital affected the
. .
medical work in more ways than one. Having him and his retinue there i
and a constant stream of motor cars bringing him scores of daily visitors
.rave the hospital an air of prosperity. It kept the work from decreasing
as it might otherwise have done with no man doctor in charge. Lne pa­
tient’s family provided food for the poor among the patients who would
otherwise have been provided for from hospital funds. On the women s
medical work, however, the same circumstances had a detrimental effect.
Since it seemed necessary to treat the sheikh early before his visitors in­
creased in number it was more economical of time to do the dressings for
other men patients immediately afterward. More than two hours were
thus consumed before we could turn our attention to the women. The
women became discouraged. They had to wait so long and sometimes they
gave up and went home without being treated. Dispensary attendance de­
creased and we were much distressed to be inadequate for all demands. . ,
When Dr. Harrison arrived early in August to take over the work of the
Men’s Hospital for almost two months a great part of our burden wa*
lifted.” *
The arrival of the new Women’s Medical Ford in Kuwait caused great V
rejoicing. “Since it has come,” says Mrs. Calverfey, “we have begun to ;
realize the hope of years that we might tour the villages in the vicinity of
Kuwait.”
In Bahrain there was neither war nor marked opjxisiticm and the med­
ical work had no hindrance. Dr. Dame reports the year as “extraordinary”
in that the doctor was at his station the whole year, no tours having been i$ i
made except a live duyiT trip to Kutur. I 'art of the year an Indian -3
doctor (semi-qualified) worked as full time assistant. As usual imticuti : 3
came from a wide area, Nejd, the Pirate Coast and all parts of Persia, i 4
Some new equipment was acquired and the new well which gives an abut*. j
dance of sweet water is considered a great asset. v-j
The second year of the Marion Wells Thoms Memorial Hospital ha* j
seen an increase in its usefulness, both as to the number of in-patients and A
as to surgical work. During the year four kitchens have been built at the
back of the hospital, cubicles without doors, windows or chimneys but j
providing a very convenient and necessary addition to the hospital facili- J
ties. Another addition has been the Nurses’ Bungalow on which Dr. R0u.
scliaefer comments, “A three-roomed little house with a kitchen and bath* ’’
room, it is a place where our staff of nurses can not only be comfortabl
V • :
housed but which can be a real home to them. We are very grateful to M
all those who made the Nurses’ Home possible.”
The patients have found enjoyment in the Hospital. Says Dr. Rou.
schaefer, “The ward has been a place of sociability, friendliness and mutual
helpfulness. Most of the women who stay with patients and such patients*^
as are able to be about, attend Sunday morning Arabic services. They scea '^4
to enjoy going. When we think of the narrow, restricted lives which
these women live in their own homes we are glad that they find a stay im *3$
the hospital a time of happiness. Almost without exception the worms
who have come into the Hospital have had a happy time.” ^