Page 91 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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PUBLIC HEALTH.

(Report by Dr. R. II. B. Snow, State Medical Officer.)

The question is constantly being fought out in our minds as to how far two peoples,
two civilisations, can meet with mutual advantage, the one giving, the other co-operating. Too rigid
a western standard among a people of alien customs and environment may court indifference or
even ridicule. Too much compromise will defeat the ideals which it is desired to maintain. It is
necessary therefore to seek a common meeting ground where the best characteristics of both sides will
combine to produce the desired result.

It is surprising how easily an Arab will adapt himself to the routine discipline of a hospital,
knowing himself to be the gainer he will give comparatively little trouble. On the whole Arabs arc
not difficult to reason with and having made up their minds will endure most things.

Some patients come in with the express purpose of being treated over a certain period of time
of their own choosing, many of these arc Persians who cannot afford to delay their passages back
to their own country, others are travellers from the Trucial Coast and even from Muscat. In the
winter many come from Saudi Arabia for treatment only and arc usually very amenable. Occasion­
ally patients arrive from the Yemen or from the Hejaz.
At certain times of the year, particularly after the pearling season, it is difficult to find room
for all incomers. The Isolation hospital usually has a waiting list for V.D. and during early winter
endemic dysentery reached such high figures that it was impossible to accommodate all the eases needing
treatment. Many had to be sent away.
Starvation and its concomitant diseases caused grave concern during the first half of the year.
It became noticeable from September 1942, it improved during early 1943, but suddenly worsened
from April to June, from then onward the situation was relieved and by November the condition was
negligible. Compared to allied conditions down the Coast the number of deaths was extremely small.
The whole situation was directly influenced by further imports of foodstuffs and the establishment
of food distribution centres. After a time wheat became the staple diet instead of rice, and very soon
most people became accustomed to it.

An interesting feature this year was the number of nationalities represented by the inmates
of the hospital. In the Arab wards there were patients from Bahrain, Persia, Saudi Arabia, the
Persian Gulf and India, also one Mongol. In the Services wards people of Great Britain and all the
principal colonies were treated, these patients totalled 388, and many contracted the predominating
diseases of the Island namely, Malaria and Dysentery. In July and August the two Services wards
were overfull with 31 inpatients when the various heat manifestations claimed large numbers. The
kindness of the Manager of the Bahrain Oil Company in helping to alleviate this condition
by providing air-cooled houses for convalescent purposes, was of great value.

The Services wards have proved their value to be well worth the added strain on the resources
of the administrative staff. The Matron, Miss Harbottle, was primarily responsible for their
maintenance, and for keeping up the constant supply of food, drug^, dressings and general requisites
which were continually needed. Without her organising ability the Services scheme, inaugurated
here, would not have been possible. We were greatly indebted to the R.A.F. personnel who helped
in numerous ways and whose assistance has been much appreciated.

The hospital compound was 'enclosed during the year and building work was completed:
In process of time it is hoped that the garden which has been made will improve; the appearance of
the buildings which were erected at so much cost.