Page 345 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

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NEGLECTED AKALUA y

There it stands, ready for out-calls. Saalam, the chauffeur, an ex-
1
patient of the hospital who in a living condition was cast upon the
hospital verandah by his friends a year or two ago, stands ready loo.
He loves his new job. Early in the morning lie gels the engine in
order, gasoline in the tank, and the body of the car dusted and polished
if necessary. Nothing pleases him more than to see the doctor or
inline rush out tm an emergency call, or when during the spare minutes
between clinic and operating, he cun leave his post as door-keeper and
accompany either one on their daily calls. Formerly these calls were
made oil donkey or on foot, and many a hot, weary walk has the doctor
had at noon-day after finishing a heavy clinic. Now the calls are made
in no time at all. And not only is the doctor’s time saved and the
nurse’s, but the patient lias not had to wait.

A Three Weeks’ Trip Through The Persian Gulf

Miss Anne Ki:a
tMiii Rea was a 'member ot Mrs Is. E. Olcutt’s party which visited our Arabian
Mission last winter.—Ed.)

A S I think of Arabia many impressions and pictures crowd into
my mind. It seems like a dream, now that I am back in the
■ old environment of America—but a dream that is very real.
I have only to close my eyes and l am back on the "Bandra.”
our good old cargo ship of the British India Line. We boarded her in
Uuinbay and were on her for three weeks going up the Persian Gulf,
popping one day in Gwadur in Baluchistan and one day in Jask in
Persia. At Maskat, our first stop in Arabia, we spent a few hours with
Mia* Button and Dr. Hosmon. At Bahrein we spent the night with
Doctor and Mrs. Dame. They took us through their hospital and we
many Arab men and women who had come long distances by
caravan. The Arab is dirty, he has no idea of hygeine, lie is a fanatic,
hut I believe when he once trusts you and believes in you you have
his friendship for life. The missionaries are trying to do this. It is
t ilu\v job, Us the Mohammedan is in danger of his life when he becomes
i Christian and one realizes this saying is true—“Once a Mohammedan,
always a Mohammedan.” However, if that spirit of stoicism, courage,
independence and religious fervor can he directed into right channels
Arabia will grow very rapidly. I believe Dr. Harrison of Kuweit has
the right idea, try to see their point of view and then show them he has
*mietlung more to add to it—so much bigger and more wonderful.
Dr. Dame took us in his car outside the city walls, through the desert
lo an oasis where they go in summer to bathe. In Bahrein there were
,*i trees, all was much the same earthy clay color, nothing to relieve it
hot the blue water of the Gulf and the glory of the sunrises and sunsets
»hich spread a glow over all. As never before I realized what an
meant to an oriental—green, green palm trees, shade, and fresh
clear water that does not taste of salt. Donkeys carry this water into
lUhrein—goatskins full of it are strapped on their backs. It is very
peccious and many cannot get it.