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PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY, 1920. 81

(22nd January—19th February) and Fa. 50,200 in Jamad at-Thani (20th
February—18th March) they had fallen to Jls. 0,350 in Dliil Qa’dah 17th July
—15th August). Although ho has boon urged to do so, the Sheikh still refuses
to abandon his present custom of levying customs dues on goods manifested for,
but not landed at Kuwait.
Town Wall.
A wall for the protection of Kuwait from the desert was commenced
after the attack on Ilamdh in May, and was completed early in October. It
is some four miles long, and has three main gates and one small door, all
sui mounted by towers, with additional towers at irregular intervals throughout
its length. It would form a good protection against an enemy without ar­
tillery, its weakest points being its extremities, where, owing to the shelving
nature of the fore shore, it would have to be carried a very long way out to
6ea to be impassable at low tide. In front of the south-east face too,* there is
a considerable amount of cover for an advancing enemy, owing to jass having
been burnt there and the ground not subsequently levelled. The loop holes
are badly constructed, and afford a very indifferent field of fire.
Aerodrome.
The aerodrome constructed in 1919 has been somewhat spoiled by the
town wall, which now runs parallel to its north-western boundary, and only
some twelve yards from it, which makes it rather difficult to land on if the
wind be from the south-east. It is, however, quite good for all except large
machines, and was used on several occasions in October when aeroplanes visited
Kuwait. At the request of Wing Commander from Baghdad, who visited
Kuwait on the 27th October, another temporary landing ground was marked
out further to the south, and some half mile outside the wall, as it seemed not
.improbable at the time that the larger type of bomb-carrying machines might
be required to visit Kuwait.
Medical.
The Agency Charitable Dispensary remained closed throughout the year.
The year has been free from epidemics, though a certain amount of mild
influenza was encountered in the late summer, and during November
and December dysentery was more common than usual.
The incident of the year from a medical standpoint was the battle of
Jahrah. The Kuwait wounded some 120 in number, were almost all treated
by the American Mission Hospital, and of those who were, only four died.
The American Hospital reports an increase in almost every department of
its work. The actual totals are as follows :—
On the men’s side 3,163 New Cases were seen in the Dispensary and 9,370
Report Treatments were made. 610 professional visits were made to patients
in their homes. 120 .persons were admitted as In-patients. 192 Surgical
operations were performed. *
On the women’s side a total of 2,571 Treatments were made in the Dis­
pensary, including 851 New Cases. 139 Professional visits were made to
patients in their homes. 21 persons were admitted as In-patients. 57 Surgical
Operations were performed.
Postal.
The mail service has improved during the year, and there is now
normally a weekly service of mail steamers from India, and a fortnightly
service from Basrah. To supplement the latter, mails are also now sent from
Basrah to Fao as opportunity offers, and arc brought on from thero in water
boats by a special postman who has been entertained for the purpose.
Water Plant.
Messrs. W. B. Wardle and W. E. Dell arrived from Muhammcrah on the
2nd August, in connection with the Water Plant erected by Messrs. Strick,