Page 351 - PERSIAN 1 1873_1879 Admin Report1_Neat

AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YKAFl 1370-77. 103
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vwUe and from being compelled to lead a sedentary life owing to their
« elusion. Thev suiter from ague, lmt prohahlv not more than any other
class * -till, owing to their lower vitality, the amemiu induced by ague seems
to he'-reaier amongst them than amongst others, lunetional diseases
tlf ti,; uterus and sterility are very common, whilst hysteria is much
le>s eoinnum than might he expected.
The Bedouin Arabs, who form apart of the fixed population of
Muscat, are rather limited in number, rarely exceeding 300. They are
a healthv race, and have great physical vigour and power of endurance.
Imp tome would seem to be a common disease with them, and in fact
with all Bedouins that visit Muscat. The causes of it are to be sought
in the pernicious habits in which youths in many of the Eastern countries
are allowed to indulge.
The Beloochees, who live in Muscat and Mutt rah, and f->rm not ail
unimportant part of the fixed population, may he estimated to be about
5,000, and may be said to l»e, to a certain extent, acclimatised to the
place; most of them lead an active life, either in menial capacity or as
laWcr?, and as a rule are a healthy race. Chronic ophthalmia and
skin diseases, due principally to a want of personal cleanliness, prevail to
a great extent amongst them.
The Khojias, who form an important section of the commercial
community of Muscat, are distinguished from their co-religionists and
neigh!-.urs hy their weakly physical frame mid their scrofulous appear-
anee. 1 heir number may be roughly stated t»» be a In me l,fi0O; thev live
at Mutt rah in a small fortified place of their own, which is remarkable for
its absolute want of any sanitation. They are thus socially distinct and
separat' d from the rest of the Mahometans. They suffer considerably
from tin* effects of heat during summer, and had their occupation, which
is principally that of shop-keepers and merchants, been of a nature to
expose them to the direct rays of the sun, insolatio would not be as un-
common ns it is now amongst them. Their women, who lead a sedentary
snrt of life, arc anmmic, and suffer considerably from functional diseases
°f the uterus and hvsteria. Phthisis pulmnnalis is very common
„
amongst both the sexes, and is easily accounted for by the almost total
absence of ventilation in their houses, which are generally overcrowded,
and the great want of sanitation in their fortified town. The Khojias
as a rule are a prolific race, and the overcrowding, to which they seem so
voluntarily to submit themselves, is almost unimaginable. I say volun-
arilv, because nothing would be easier than for many of them either to
ui d a new fortified enclosure so as to ensure sufficient accommodation,
or o segregate themselves and live amongst their neighbours, the Beloo-
ices and Arabs at Muttrah. Anmraia and scrofula seem to characterise
Biob of the principal diseases they suffer from.
* ^.e Panjans live inside the town of Muscat, and remain religiously
ana socially aloof from the rest of the inhabitants. Their number may
own** lmate<* *° 1* about 500. They are pure vegetarians os in their
country, and although physically weak, maintain good health during