Page 167 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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CHAPTER XXX.

Medical arrangements at Maskat. British Agency Establishments
and Buildings. Landing arrangements at Maskat, etc.
(i) Medical arrangements at Maskat, 1900-1905.

688. The Agency Surgeon Captain Smith drew attention to the condition
of the medical arrangements at Maskat
Bxtcroal A., Bcptemlor 1900, No*. 80-31.
in his letter No. 37, dated 22nd May
1900. They consisted of—
(1) The Agency dispensary established for the treatment of the Agenoy
employes, the treasury guard and the British subjects. It was
also largely availed of by the Sultan’s subjects.
(2) The Sultan’s dispensary under the supervision of a retired Hospital
Assistant, who also superintended the quarantine arrange­
ments.
(3) A Plague Hospital in charge of another retired Government
medical subordinate.
The Agency Surgeon had no connection with the last two.
689. The Agency dispensary premises consisted of a house placed rent-
free at tbo disposal of Lieutenant-Colonel Jayakar in 1873. The building
did not afford sufficient accommodation and was not fit even with altera­
tions for a suitable hospital and dispensary.
The establishment consisted of—
A 1st ClasB Hospital Assistant,
A peon,
A night watchman.
It was necessary to add to it
A compounder,
A bhisti,
A sweeper and
Two punkah coolies.

The equipment of the dispensary was very inadequate.
The hospital expenses were borne partly by local subscription amounting
to about Rs. 130 per mensem and partly by Imperial funds which bore the
following items
(1) Pay of staff.
(2) Rs. 120 house rent of the Assistant Surgeon.
(3) Rs. 240 for the menial establishment.
(4) Rs. 260 for medical stores.
(5) Rs. 200 for bazaar medicines and hospital contingencies.
690. The Government of India sanctioned the entertainment of a sweeper
on pay not exceeding Rs. 10 per mensem, but thought that the consideration
of any further increase to tbo medical establishment at their cost as premature
at the time.
691. The questions of improvement of the hospital accommodation,
sanitation, etc., were in Government's opinion, for the Sultan primarily to take
up, and Captain Cox, and the Agency Surgeon were instructed to do their
best to enlist His Highness’ interest and support, which might be supplemented
by the assistance of the British Indian community (Poreign department
No. 1720-E. A., dated 23rd August 1900).