Page 487 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 1909. 77
In February it was reported that the Commandant of the Turkish fort
at Fao had entertained the Shaikh when the latter visited the newly con­
structed embankments, regarding which there were difficulties in 1908. Ibe
Shaikh has not complained of any further encroachment, and the above would
appear to show that some friendly understanding has been reached between
the parties.
In May the Turkish authorities requested Shaikh Mobarak to assist them
in punishing the robbers'of a caravan between Ojair and Hasa, but the
Shaikh replied that he was unable to do so owing to these places being beyond
his territory.
Shaikh Mobarak concluded, in February, the purchase for T£14,000
from Shaikh Saadun of the Muntafik of
Purchase of dato-gardon&.
his riverain property known as Muta-
wiya adjoining Zain, in the sale of which the Turkish authorities had pre­
viously interfered.
The purchase of the Fa-Chagiya property from the as-Zuhair family,
mentioned in last year’s report, was not actually completed until the 14th
February 1909 (21s*t Mohurrum 1326).
The friendship between Shaikhs Mobarak and Khazal continues as close
as ever, and the former has frequently
Shaikh’s relations with Mohammcrah.
visited Fallahiyah.
Shaikh Khazal paid a surprise visit to Kuwait in October, the ostensible
reason being that, hearing his friend was either ill or dead, and knowing his
scruples, Shaikh Khazal brought down his own mcdicai man to treat him.
Shaikh Khazal stayed only 2 days as Shaikh Mobarak was quite well, though
it is true he had been seriously ill some time before. Shaikh Khazal arrived
with a retinue of about SO armed men and one cannot but think that his visit
was prompted not solely bv anxiety for his friend's health, for Shaikh Khazal
still remains heavily in debt to Shaikh Mobarak. To what extent it is diffi­
cult to estimate, though local gossip puts the balance at some T£ 10,000 to
T£ 15,000, and 4 years of the period agreed upon for liquidation have still to
run.
Shaikh Khazal is the only person in whom Shaikh Mobarak can be said
to repose absolute confidence, or whose advice he seeks and acts upon.
Whether this influence is entirely for good or whether Shaikh Khazal
reciprocates the confidence is doubtful.
The public health of Kuwait has not been good during the year;
Public Health. small-pox has been prevalent through-
out and many deaths have occurred,
especially among children. As the people take no precautions for isolation
the disease became epidemic towards the end of the year and still continues,
though in a less severe form.
The Dispensary has been regularly open and in all 5,582 patients (over
Agcuc Dispensary. 4’000 ™en and only 615 children) were
treated, averaging a daily attendance of
50-56. The Dispensary returns show digestive system ailments, worms, eye-
diseases, and malaria to be the most prevalent maladies. Only 185 vaccina­
tions were performed in spite of the continuance of small-pox, the Arabs
believing that once in a life-time is sufficient protection.
The Dispensary is badly in need of proper accommodation, and it is to
be hoped that the execution of the plans drawn up in 1909 may be made dos-
sible early in the next financial year. F
No effective quarantine as required under the Paris Convention was
Quarantine. enforced. Towards the end of May inti-
m • 11 r 1 - , nation was conveyed to the Shaikh
officially of the outbreak of plague in Bahrain and he was urged to take
precautionary measuxes. the Agency Assistant Surgeon’s services beinl
placed at his disposal. Though ridiculing the idea that the disease in