Page 262 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

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Hassa is the gateway to Nejd and is in itself an important place, with a
population of about I.SO,(XX), and fertility due to a large innnUr «»i very
line perennial springs. Dr, Dame is always treated with great lourtcsy
there, and his relations with the various ollicials throughout the \ear have
been most cordial. Many patients come to him in Bahrein from Nejd ami
Hassa with letters from the King, Amir Saoutl. and the Governors of
Hassa and Katif. Ajman. mi the Trucial coast, was visited for a month, i-
and then came an invitation to go to Dubai. "This/' writes Dr. Dame,
“is the largest town on the Trucial coast and also the port of call lor the f
Gulf steamers. This place has lieen very difficult to get to for the past
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twenty years. The Arabs along the Pirate Coast still have slaves, and in
order to keep the institution of slavery, all foreigners, especially white b
men. are kept out. The Arabs say while men are like ants, one finds the
way and multitudes follow. With the while men would come a I fi nish I
consul, and their slaves would be set free. Therefore, you find no ma­
chinery of any kind there, no automobiles, no launches, no wireless station,
no quarantine service for the ships, no doctors and no agents. These
might act as an entering wedge to those not wanted. It was therefore very
gratifying to get an invitation from the Sheikh of Dubai to come there. ■.
We were there almost a month and were very busy with both clinic and
operating, besides staying in Ajman and Dubai we also made short visits
to Hameriva. Hajar, and Sharjah, smaller towns along the coast, and we
had invitations to remain for a period in Om el Gowain and Sharjah.
Some other time we hope to be able to do this.” The work of the hospital
in Bahrein was carried on in the doctor’s absence by a qualified Indian
assistant.
The third year of the Marion Wells 'Timms Memorial Hospital has i
shown steady growth. The hospital has hicu used to capacity by in­
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patients, and the women seem more and more willing to come in because
of the iieedoiu and happiness which they enjoy there. * Histeli ical work,
been incorporated with child welfare work. A child welfare clinic was f
both m and out of the hospital, has shown a gratifying increase, and has
conducted in the hospital, and classes in child care have been given for the .
older school-girls. Village work has been an interesting feature uf the ;•
year, and one whole day a week was set aside for this, as well as several i
lours of more extended duration. This has furnished an excellent evan­
gelistic opportunity and laid the foundation of friendliness for future work.
An idea of the amount of village and outcall work done by the woman
doctor and the nurse is indicated by the fact that their car traveled almost
5.OCX) miles in the course of the year.
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Kuweit Hospital has again cared for the wounded of desert battles,
and has received official thanks from Bagdad for its services to Iraqi
tribesmen who were injured in attacks by desert tribes. 'Ventral \rahia
has come to us,” writes Miss Van Pell. “'The Bedouins have almost
swamped the men’s hospital. 'The popularity of the hospital has surprised i
us, and the display of so little fanaticism has surprised us the more. No
day since March 3, 1929, have we been wluiuut patients with stab wounds
or gun-shot wounds to attend to.” Men’s work has been carried tin as
needed in emergencies, in spite of the absence of a man doctor, and the
women’s work has continued uninterruptedly. The morning clinics furnish

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