Page 306 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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CHAPTER IX.
Administration Report of the Political Agency, Muscat, for 1934.

Part I.
1. (A) Ay nicy Officials.—The following officials held charge of the Agency
as shown 1—7
Major C. E. U. Bremner, M.C., held charge of 'the Political Agency
throughout the year.
The appointment of Medical Officer in charge of the Agency Hospital and
of Quarantine Duties was held by Major D. L. Mackay, I.M.l).,
from 1st January to 21st October, on which date he returned to
military duty, being relieved by Assistant Surgeon R. Eascv
I.M.D.
The post of the Treasury Officer was held by Mr. A. S. Norton throughout
the year.
(B) Agency in general.—During the period under review a considerable
amount of richness occurred among the personnel of the Agency staff. This
was attributable to the excessively trying climatic conditions prevailing this year.
The effects were somewhat mitigated by the supply of fresh vegetables now
obtainable from a garden laid down and developed for the purpose by the
Political Agent in 1933.
The vogue for fresh vegetables has caught on and cabbages and other green
food, hitherto unknown to the local inhabitant, are being grown and marketed by
them in the Muscat bazaar.
A number of improvements have been effected in the Agency and other
Government buildings during the year.
The installation of an electrical generating plant, to afford current to all
Government buildings, is nearing completion and will go far to make conditions
more tolerable and to reduce sickness, inevitable in a climate such as that of
Muscat.
A very considerable debt of gratitude is due to the Revd. D. Dykstra of the
American Mission, whose ever ready assistance and expert advice have proved
invaluable to the Political Agent in carrying out various works and repairs.
Ilis experience and modern technical knowledge in constructional and repair
works have been constantly available. It has thus been possible to introduce
many labour and material-saving innovations, which have done much to improve
the standard of w'ork and to reduce expenditure.
The employment, on his advice, of re-inforced concrete and cement for
constructional and repair work has proved a sound economical measure and the
example has been eagerly emulated alike by the State and private owners.
2. Agency Hospital.—The total number of patients treated during the year
was 8,850, of which 147 w’cre “ In-patients ”, and 8,703 “ Out-patients ”. The
number show's an increase of 441. The daily average attendance was 88.
Malarial fevers, skin and eye diseases continued to be the most prevalent
complaints.
537 operations were carried out during the year, but no post-mortem
examinations were performed and no cases of poisoning were reported.
Four imported cases of small-pox w'ere treated during the year but the
disease was absent in epidemic form from the towns of Muscat and Matrah.
Sporadic cases in the adjacent villuges were reported from time to time, but
the apathy of the State Authorities, coupled with the aversion of the local
inhabitant to segregation and other medical restrictions, prevented treatment
of the patients.
The sanitary conditions of Muscat and Matrah remain, as hitherto deplor­
able. His Highness the Sultan has sought the consultation of the Political
Agent on one occasion to deal with some of the more distressing prevailing
nuisances. Certain effective, though economical, measures were consequently
suggested <0 His Highness but, though approved by him, no action has been
taken and none appears likely.