Page 156 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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Return
New Cases. Total.
Cases.
Operations.
Major 253 2,161
Minor 1,908 }
Injections.
V.D. 2.763'
Emetine .. 1.416 (
Quinine .. 1,286 7.653
Others 2.188.

Vaccinations.
Hospital .. 1.338
Dispensaries 1.399 } 2.737

Laboratory.
Hospital .. 2,953 \ 6.013
Services .. 3.060 /
X-Ray.
Hospital .. i52\
Services .. 65/ 217

SHORT NOTES ON THE STATISTICS.

The Staff.
It was very much regretted that Miss N. H. Harbottle, who had been the Matron for nearly
five years from the very beginning of the hospital, left in September for a more important post in
Bagdad. She was an able administrator, who had laid down solid foundations for the future of
nursing here, and her achievements during the difficult war years have been very greatly appreciated.
Miss D. Ellson and Miss R. G. A. Maguire arrived during the latter part of the year; and we were
extremely fortunate in having these Sisters of experience, newly recruited from Great Britain. Sister
Ellson is at present the acting Matron, and Sister Maguire is Sister Tutor.

The Schools.
No regular visiting medical work could be carried out this year owing to lack of staff. A small
Trachoma clinic however, was tried out as an experiment during the summer holidays. 28 boys
showing early stages of the disease were chosen, and were treated daily by two doctors for six weeks.
An intensive copper and silver course was given, and most of the boys were very co-operative and came
regularly. After the ensuing Ramadan, the most promising cases were then weeded out, and asked
to attend the hospital for continuative after-treatment under trained nurses, and this second course
went on for another three months. After therefore six months total observation, eight out of the 28
original total lasted the full course. A good healing fibrosis was obtained in a few cases, and certain
angular first stage lids showed promising semi-permanent healing, almost cured. The aptitude of
Arab boys for enduring a long and trying course of treatment was thereby tested with fair success, and
the experiment was well worth while. Greater care of the eyes is apparent in school boys and has
been so before, due to Mr. Wakelin's hygiene measures which he has consistently been trying to
promote, and a great deal is owed to him.
Epidemics.
There were no epidemics, except for a small outbreak of smallpox in January which was quickly
controlled. 2,737 more vaccinations were carried out by the medical department, and in addition a
large number by the Quarantine Medical Officer, Dr. Steele.
Typhoid occurred sporadically, from April to October, and many Arabs, more especially among
the Sheikhs, came voluntarily for inoculations.

1.