Page 243 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

(> s’UGUicrnn a Kama
clinic patients, did 53 major operations, 89 minor operation*, and gave
34 Neu-salvarsan injections. We saw a great many patients in their
homes, as frequently our social calls were mixed with professional calls,
hut no record was kept of the patients thus seen. Upon leaving we
were loaded with tins of dates ana a particularly line cooky lor desert
travelling.
On Monday, February 11th, we left Aneiza for Boreida, where we
arrived that afternoon, for this is only a six-hour journey. We passed
through the great Wady er Rummah, which crosses Arabia from
Medina to Zobeir, but at no time does water How in this water-bed
except short distances after heavy rains. Yet water is usually found on
digging at no great depth. The short distance between the two towns
•gives one a very good idea of desert Arabia, for here are found the
sandy and the stony deserts, the oases of palm gardens, and the
“Muzera" or wheat farms.
Boreida is the capital of Kaseem and as such lias a large castle
occupied by the Ameer. The Ameer is a young man named Abd el Aziz
bin Mesa’ad, a cousin as well as brother-in-law of the Sultan and *
nephew of Bin Jalouie Ameer of Hassa. In quick dispatch and firm
justice he is said to be very much like that uncle, only probably one
degree more stern.
Our house was already prepared and we were given a fairly cordial
though somewhat stiff reception. The Ameer was still visiting in Kiadb
where I had made his acquaintance and his absence made maiten
somewhat difficult. In fact, before leaving Aneiza some of our friend*
there repeatedly asked us to remain with them until Bin Mesa’ad should
return. We had decided to remain in Boreida only about a week as q
was time to return to Bahrein. Our supply of medicine was running
low, Mr. Pennings was soon to leave for home, and plague had broken
out in Bahrein, in the last two months we had received mail frum
Bahrein only twice, the last one telling us about plague. So you cu
understand that we were anxious to return. We had received invit*.
lions to visit Russ, Hail and Mejma, and although we would have lud
to have permission from the Sultan for these visits, that would without
doubt have been granted. But we had to turn down all invitations.
Boreida is very different from Aneiza. Since it is the seat of govern,
ment for the northern part of Nejd, there are a great many Bedoui*
there, which means Ikhwan. These are still fanatic, but as 1 wrote a
my last letter, less so than previously. The town population here is al*
much more backward, fanatical and bigoted than that of Aneiza. \%
one spoke to us on the streets and only a few times were we invited
in the evening; never for meals. Here, too, we operated on the religion
Sheikh, this time for Trichiasis, but he was far different from tuj
friend Sheikh Ibrahim of Shugra. Sheikh Amar chose to treat me *
distinctly inferior and would not permit me in his house or greet a*
with the usual “Peace upon thee." We were, however, treated betuj
than we had expected. We were fortunate in that the Ameer returml
the day we left. He arrived in the morning and we left at noon. \Vf
had a short but very friendly visit with him and I could not help L*
feel that if he had been present during our stay things would have bet*