Page 207 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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CHAPTER VI.
Administration Report of the Political Agency, Muscat, for 193;
Part I.
?howii ^CHClJ Tho following officials held charge of the Agency as

17tl,S to M-°- fr°m lst Jammry t0 23rd Mareh «"'l

lClhSuite*11 R' ^ AIb“n offioiatcd as Agent from 24tli March to

The post of Medical Officer in Charge of the Agency Hospital and of Quaran­
tine duties was held l.y Captain (now Major) D. L. Mackay, I.M.D., front 1st
January to ora May when he proceeded on leave. Charge was re-assumed hv
him on 18th November.
From 4th May to 17th November medical charge of the Agency and Quaran­
tine Medical Officer's duties was held by Subordinate Medical Service Officer
G. B. Yemkanmadri in addition to his own duties as sub-medical officer.
The post of the Treasury Officer was held by Mr. S. P. Pereira from 1st
January to 31st March, when he proceeded on pension having been invalided
from the service.
From lst April to 14th June the post of Treasury Officer was held by Mr. V.
B. Menezes who carried out the duties of Treasury Officer till relieved by
Mr. A. S. Norton on 15th June, since which date the latter has continued to
officiate.
2. Agency Hospital and Medical.—The total number of patients treated dur­
ing the year was 8409 comprising 110 in and 8299 out-patients. The number
shows a decrease of 148 on the number treated during the previous year. The
daily average of cases treated was 91.
Malarial fevers, skin and eye diseases were the most prevalent complaints.
925 operations were carried out during the year.
Smallpox broke out in epidemic form early in February and, abating some­
what in March, was rife again in epidemic form in May and remained so until
the port was declared free of this disease early in November.
Vaccinations were canned out on a large scale in Muscat, Matrali and the
neighbouring villages. The public willingly submitted to vaccination
whilst the ravages of the disease were actively apparent and over 10,000 persons
were vaccinated. The cost of vaccine was met by the Muscat State.
No cases were treated for poisoning.
Post Mortem examinations. Nil.
Sanitary conditions remained the same as in previous years and can only bo
described as’ deplorable. The indifference of even the better classes of the popu­
lation, combined with the lack of adequate financial resources at the disposal of
the State has conduced to a state of affairs in Muscat and Matrah that can only
be categorised as revolting.
The task of the Quarantine Medical Officer under prevailing conditions is
both urduous and thunkless. Whilst smallpox is endemic throughout Arabia
the virulent outbreak of this disease during the current year is definitely trace­
able to a party of Badakhshani pilgrims who landed unrestricted from a dhow
ex-Karachi in January.
Whilst every endeavour is made to deal with immigrants to Muscat, whether
arriving by dhow or steamer, it is impossible in view of the very lax surveillance
by the State authorities, who impose no form of adequate restriction on such
persons to cope with the situation. It is hoped on the return of His Highness the
Sultan to Muscat to secure the active co-operation of the responsible State Autho­
rities which is at present conspicuous by its absence.
3. Political Affairs.—The chief topics of political interest affecting His
Majesty's Government or British subjects, being so closely linked with the
affairs of the Local Government, are dealt with in Part II of this Report under
the heading of “ Events of Political Interest in State Limits