Page 308 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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THE OUT-PATIENTS.
(a) Government Hospital.
A brief list shows the main features.
1. Eye-Disease is a scourge which is so endemic and tenacious that the people themselves
have become dulled to the potency of its terrible complications, which have led to so much total
blindness. Trachoma is mainly responsible for this, and 70 per cent of all opthalmia is due to it.
20 per cent of all out-patients come because of bad eyes, and fortunately they arc very agreeable
to long courses of treatment.
2. Malaria.—The numbers attending arc considerably less. While early yet to give reliable
statistics, the figures already show a marked decrease in Manama. The peak months were again
May and June.
3. Venereal Disease.—All stages are seen, but the nervous tertiary forms are uncommon.
Secondary syphilis, showing widespread skin and throat ulcers, is seen frequently, especially in
the villages, and is extremely infectious. Good results are hoped for from the Isolation Hospital,
where follow up work after cure is being inaugurated.
4. Dysentery,—This is nearly all due to the Entamoeba Histolytica, and is most common
in the spring and autumn months, when it almost reaches epidemic form. To enforce strict rules
for the carrying out of improved town sanitary methods is the only way to eradicate this disease.
5. Asthma.—This is a serious bronchial complaint. Diet and humidity both play a part in
causing it. When once it establishes a hold in a patient it is practically impossible to cure.
Temporary relief for acute attacks can be achieved most readily, but only too soon a recurrence
of symptoms occurs.
6. Mumps reached minor epidemic form in May and June this year. It is chiefly in children,
though adults become also attacked. Its ready spread is due to lack of segregation owing to
people not treating this disease seriously.
7. Other Diseases.—Rheumatic disease in all its forms is common, especially arthritis and
myositis. Rheumatic fever is only occasionally seen. Dermatitis of the scalp is frequently found
in the schools, and whooping cough. Phlhysis (pulmonary tuberculosis) has not been recorded
much. The few eases seen have been usually severe, and have died shortly after. More detailed
examinations will certainly reveal many more, as it is more common than it appears to be.
Bahrain Government Male Dispensaries and Clinics.
1359 (1940).
No. of Total No. Minor
Name of Place. Clinics. Patients. Operations. Injections.
*1 Muharraq Daily 8,581 283 222
2 Suq Al-Khamis Daily 3.8.14 34 22
3 Hidd Daily 3.385 10 5
Sakhir
4 Daily 1,870 67 67
5 Sitra 61 >.033 >3 23
6 Baidav a 64 991 25 25
7 Rifa'a 3> 847 8 8
8 Kara/akhan 10 78
9 Jiddah 10 >30
Totals ... 20,949 440 372
Total No. vaccination = 167
•Seven months only because of Dr. Bhandarkar’s leave of absence on holiday.
Certain Dispensary Statistics.
No. of
Name of Place. New Patients. Eye Diseases. Malaria. Y.D. Others.
Muharraq 5.752 894 463 81 4,071
Suk Al-Khami> 2,258 295 >99 64 1.511
Sakhir 1,196 98 219 6 876
Sitra 544 103 54 >3 374
Baidaya 500 too 6.S 2 333
Rifa’a 297 99 27 2 169
a
Totals ... >o,547 >.589 1,024 168 7.334

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