Page 75 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920

FOE THE YEAR 1919. 65
Shaikh Cliasib, the Shaikh’s eldest son, continued as Governor at Ahwac.
Ahwu HiiT mother takes a large share in the
Government and appears to be a most
^pablo woman.
Captain James, Mobile Assistant to the Chief Quarantine Medical
Officer in the Persian Gulf, has kindly
Medical.
supplied .me with the following note.
The health of Mohammerah during the year 1912, in so far as infectious
jiseascs arc concerned, has been good, no epidemics having occurred.
Two cases of plague were landed from ships arriving from Bushire, but were
jetaincd in the Quarantine station and no cases were introduced into the town.
far as the general health of the town is concerned it is impossible to
p^k with any accuracy, the Government dispensary affecting merely a fringe of
he population, the bulk of whom treat themselves, or are treated by local
hakims-
The return of attendances at the charitable dispensary shows an increase
oVer that of the previous year, the figures being 3,395 for 1912, as against
2,909 for 1911.
The most common diseases in order of their frequency were:—
Diseases of the eye 491
„ of the digestive system 487
Injuries 362
Malaria 312
Diseases of the skin 266
Venereal diseases . • 220
No statistics are available to show the mortality from various diseases occur­
ring in the town.
Eye diseases are exceedingly common amongst the population.
The absence of any form of conservancy, the presence of filth and refuse
in the streets and on the river banks, and the consequent plague of flies together
with the utter lack of cleanliness, more especially amongst the women and
children, result in the infection of the eyes of a large proportion of the latter.
In the absence of treatment permanent disfigurement follows in many cases.
Malaria is probably more common than would appear from the returns.
Ihe greatest prevalence is shown in the quarter from April to June. Creeks
dug for the irrigation of the palm gardens form an excellent breeding ground
for mosquitoes and, as the local inhabitant builds his hut on the bank of some
creek, small or large, the conditions for the propagation of malaria could not be
tetter.
The water of the creek is also used for every possible domestic purpose, the
ccet being a depository for the household filth and at the same time the source
of the household supply of drinking water. Diseases of the alimentary tract are
fifcreforc always present though long use would appear to have conferred on the
People a surprising immunity.
Venereal disease is also probably more frequent than would appear from
returns.
Minor operations to the number of 66, consisting of dental extractions,
Qtoskm of abscesses, removal of foreign bodies, etc., were performed.
There being no accommodation and no possible operating room major opera-
tions are impossible.
Cases both medical and surgical which need indoor treatment have to be
*&t away without relief, and the work of the dispensary is confined to the treat-
^nt of minor ill*
Proper accommodation and an adequate staff would increase the utility of
dispensary fourfold, and the task of overcoming the ignorance and prejudi-
of the people and of obtaining their confidence would be greatly amplified.
On May 16th Monsieur Fourman took over charge of the Customs Depart­
ment at Mohammerah, Monsieur Delcroix
Customs.
the previous incumbent being transferred
^ Tehran.
x