Page 316 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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The Kuliya boys were examined in more detail, especially for defective vision, their average
vision being poor. Five had glasses prescribed for them. These boys were the healthiest looking
of any, mostly of good families, but only very few had normal eyes.
The village schools often attend the bi-weekly dispensaries, especially at Midd and Rifa’a.
Mr. Adrian Vallance, the Director of Education has been doing his utmost that every school
in the island should have regular medical attention, and as far as possible the medical department
has ensured this. Manama and Muharraq send boys daily, but the outlying schools cannot have
the same chance as yet.
It is realised how important school public health work is, even for the eradication of trachoma
alone. So much regular daily work will be necessary in future in order to raise at all appreciably
the standard of health, which cannot be managed now by the Hospital stall', that a full-time
school doctor will be imperative. Carefully organised preventive, curative, and follow-up treatment
will then come into force, which is the only effective*way.
Mr. Vallance has been invaluable in stimulating this ideal, and in causing all departments
concerned to appreciate this vital matter of school health, which is an index of the future health
of the island.
Review of the Anti-Malarial Work

1359 (1940)
I.—Manama Town.
1. Completion of closure of shallow well scheme in centre of town, with water hydrants to
compensate this.
2. The main problem remains untouched until the introduction of a water scheme supplying
the whole town with nearby water under good pressure.
3. A water supply scheme to meet this demand is still under discussion.
4. Routine fishing and oiling carried out daily by a Squad of 2 Jemidars and 9 Coolies,
the whole town being treated once weekly.
II.—Manama Environments —(one mile ratlins)
1. —Drainage %
(aj Qasaibi swamp 30 success completed June.
(b) Fakhroo's garden swamps 90 success completed July.
(c) Sayed Saycd’s pools 90 success completed August.
fd) Jufair road pits <>o success completed January.
2. —hilling In
(a) Wireless pool Still continuing, 3/5 ths completed.
(b) Mission Qusaibia Land ... Still continuing.
A foundation of stone and rubble with a layer of town rubbish and refuse is the method used.
A top layer of oiled earth was laid over a considerable area close to the Mission. This, when dry
has given a good scaled surface. It is recommended in future to be laid over all areas when
rubbish has been used to prevent future sewage odours.
3.—Routine
Fishing, oiling, examinations of gardens, small drain improvements, inspection of garden
tanks, etc., carried out by a squad of 4 Jemadars and 18 Coolies, visiting each place once weekly.
III.—Muharraq Island
Work commenced in September, 1940, with a squad of 2 Jemidars 8 Coolies under direct
daily supervision of one of the anti-malarial experts. Every village has been inspected, and Cialali
and Rasatin were found to be the most needy areas for anti-malarial measures. I Held town is
practically mosquito free. Muharraq itself is not badly infected owing to better drainage systems.
Routine work regarding certain shallow wells and drinking pots is important there.
The work of the island, as a whole, comprises fishing, oiling and cleaning of channels, and
one drainage scheme in Rasatin. Drain commenced December, 1940. The latter has been success­
fully constructed round the lower and side borders of the Rasatin gardens of Siyadi, Shirazi,
and Sh. Abdulla. This lateral drain goes straight to the sea with a good flow, and its purpose
is to trap all the waste of those gardens, preventing any accumulations on the R.A.F. ground.
The drain was completed early this month, and at present shows every promise of fulfllling its
purpose, as the small accumulations of water round the R.A.F. well are already slowly diminishing.