Page 752 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

18 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE
Other causes for cessation of work were shortage of fuel, breakages to
tools and the long distance from the base of supplies. Altogether the total
time lost in the year amounted to 12 weeks.
Communications.—In December communications with ITenjam was estab­
lished by heliograph, whereas formerly the only means of communication was
by launch. The advantages of rapid communication with Hen jam have
already become apparent.
Sulphur*—'The working of the sulphur mines was found not to bo prac­
ticable, as a commercial proposition, and was abandoned in the month of
May.
Imperial Bank of Persia and British Trade, - Following the period of
depression at the close of 1919 business improved about the end of February,
and, taking advantage of the favourable rates of exchange (about 221-260)
the Hindu merchants imporled piecegoods on a large scale, which they disposed
of very profitably. This continued until the end of May, when owing to the
large stocks held by tho bazaars, the tightness of money, and the rise in
exchange, reaction set in and complete stagnation prevailed until the middle
of August. About this time several large caravans of specie arrived from the
interior, Krun exchange was remitted freely from Kerman and Sirjan, and
rupee exchange again became in good demand.
Owing to the rise in price of sugar a large speculative business was done
in that commodity, in which considerable sums were lost and made.
Piecegoods were again imported and a strong demand for exchange con­
tinued until the end of November. The scarcity and the rise in value of
exchange then began to make itself felt. Merchants speculated freely on a fall
in exchange which did not materialize and conditions rapidly became worse,
culminating in the financial crisis at the end of December.
Money, though apparently rather tight throughout the year, was always
forthcoming, and drawings on Kerman, Sirjan, Yezd, and to a smaller extent
Teheran and Shiraz, were consistently well met.
Business generally has been brisk as compared with the previous year.
Mr. W. J. D’Alton was manager of the Imperial Bank of Persia up to the
13th February when he was relieved by Mr. D. Sandes, who remained in
charge till the end of the year.

Quarantine and Medical.
Bandar Abbae.— Assistant Surgeon H. C. Berlie was in charge until the
13th July, when he was relieved by Assistant Surgeon D. L. Mackay, I.M.D.,
who remained in charge till tho end of the year.
The Bandar Abbas Charitable Dispensary was formally opened in the
presence of a largo representative gathering, including the Deputy Governor,
on 30th January.
4,279 cases attended the Dispensary during the year, as compared with
3,678 in 1919 and 3,889 in 1918. The increase in attendance of patients this
year may be attributed to the opening of the new Charitable Dispensary, which
has ample accommodation and equipment.
In some instances cases have been brought in for treatment from distant
places, including the Islands of Kishm and Hormuz.
The following table gives tho prevailing diseases during the year :—
Diseases of the Digestive System . 482
» w Eye . 521
Mai ana . 018
Fevers of nncerlain origin 271
Dysentery . 217
Two deaths occurred among the out-patients but were not attributable to
the above mentioned diseases. One death was due to Puerperal Septic
Intoxication, and the other to Pneumonia.