Page 138 - Bahrain Gov annual reports(V)_Neat

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The medical work has increased considerably especially as the service is taking on more
work of a curative nature than was originally intended. Additional staff will be required to
meet this demand. Cases requiring operation or further investigations are referred to hospitals
but this is not an easy matter owing to transportation difficulties. However, 38 suspected
chest eases were sent for X-Ray examination, 23 for dental treatment and 1 case for Iredectomy.
On the whole the pupils were more clean and healthy than last year and the hygenic conditions
of school premises had improved. There is still much over crowding despite the increased
accommodation provided. The condition of school buildings was good except for the one at
Samahiji which is most unsatisfactory and a new building is required.

Towards the end of the school year it was possible to arrange to show in certain town
schools some films on health education. It is hoped that this entertainment will be a more
regular and constant feature especially for village schools during the coming year.

Routine measurements of the weight and height of all pupils were carried out during the
year. Boys attending country schools showed a slower rate of growth than boys at town
schools (Fig. 1) and a comparison between groups of British and Bahrain school boys indicated
that at all ages English school boys arc heavier and taller than Bahrain school boys (Fig. 2).

TABLE “C". Weekly Average Number of Treatments tarried out for :—

Trachoma .. .. 790 Ringworm Scalp .. 27
Conjunctivitis .. 174 Tonsils .. 20
Cough and Fever .. 70 Boils .. 66
Earache .. 17 Dysentery .. 2
Abdominal Colic .. 17 Worms 1

TABLE “D”. List of Defects noted among 1073 new students :
Trachoma .. 790 Ringworm Scalp 61
Conjunctivitis 161 Enlarged Tonsils 133
Corneal Opacities 21 Dental Cases 219
Squint 18 Anaemia .. 349
Defective Vision 14 Enlarged Spleen 34
Other eye conditions 2 T.B. Spine .. 2

Port and Quarantine. The period under review witnessed no material changes in the
Quarantine arrangements. There were no cases of a Quarantinable disease and no infectious
disease on a large scale. One tanker, S.S. Svthoid, which arrived at Sitra on 9th June was
placed under restricted Pratique owing to an outbreak of acute viral gastro-enteritis among the
crew. Otherwise no aircraft, ship, launch or dhow was placed in quarantine.

The Mecca Pilgrimage of the year 1373 Hegira (A.D. 1954). It is estimated that 396 local
pilgrims left Bahrain by air and about 1,399 passed through by air from other parts, chiefly
Pakistan. All were in good hea th and possessed valid certificates of vaccination against-
smallpox and cholera.