Page 167 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

If)
The Police took part in a Defence Sohorae which was practised during the
September crisis, they provided guards over the Bapco promises and at various stra­
tegical points. A number of ex policemen and extra guards were enlisted for special
duty at this time.
There wore two route marches during the year in the spring and autumn A
number of Guards of Hon ur were provided and the usual ceremonial parade was
held at the Palace on the occasion of His Highness's accession celebrations. A
Guard of Honour was mounted at the Palace for H.R.H. Princess Alice, Countess
of Athlono.
(d) Diacipline.
One man was dismissed, two N.O.Os were reduced to the ranks and 13
men were punished for various offences during the year. The conduct of the Police
has been good and their behaviour at the time of incidents and disturbances in
Ramadan, when they were required to take action against a crowd of local youths
many of whom were connected with individual policeman, was satisfactory.
(c) Health of the Police.
(a) During the year 1357, a total number of 3,057 police were seeu at sick
parade, giving an average of approximately 10 per parade out of a force of 316.
The average number of in-patients at the police dispensary at any one
time was 5.
During the year there were 4 deaths among the police. One was the result
of a motor accident: two deaths oooured in hospital from tuberculosis and pneumonia
respectively and the fourth death occured suddenly (probably from malaria).
The chief single cause of sickness was malaria, which was responsible directly
for 34% of all attendances at sick parade and probably, indirectly, for a considerable
proportion of other cases.
The reason for this high incidence of malaria, despite bi-weekly distribution
of prophylactic, doses of quinine and weekly spraying of barrack rooms, is that the
Fort is situated in one of the most malarious districts of Manama.
The second commonest complaint was ulceration of the legs, which was
responsible for ‘28% attendances at. sick parade. These ulcers, though rarely dan­
gerous, cause a great deal of disability and absence from duty. The majority of
these cases are due to ill fitting footwear, dirt and neglect: such ulcers are not
infrequently seen in men returning from outpost duty, having been present for a
considerable time and necessitating several weeks absence, before the man is fit to
resume his duty. Constitutional diseases, such as malaria and syphilis probably
frequently assist in the production of these ulcers and in the prevention of their
healing.
Regular foot-inspection, early treatment and general improvement in health
(e.g. eradication of malaria) should do much to reduce this cause of disability.
During the past year, three cases of pulmonary tuberculosis have occured
among the police. One JJof these cases proved fatal and the other two have been
incapacitated from further duty. This high proportion of cases in a group of
selected men, merely reflects the general incidence of the disease in the island.
Venereal diseases contribute a small percentage of the cases seen at sick
parade, but they are probably a great deal more frequent than is immediately
apparent, and they will receive further investigation in the future.
Respiratory affections, dysentery, affections of the eye, toothache and minor
injuries contribute the majority of the other conditions for which the police seek
treatment.
(b) Prisoners Health. The health of the State prisoners is generally speak­
ing, poor: due no doubt to the fact that they are most drawn from the lower strata