Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎476r] (956/1028)

of registered letters received for delivery was 4,430. The number of regis
tered letters posted in Bahrain was 4,021. Parcels of all kinds received were
8,171 while 374 only were posted. Cash Certificates purchased were of
Rs. 1,200 in value. Rs. 25,519-3-0 were deposited in the Savings Bank and
Rs. 19,035-10-0 were withdrawn. British Postal Orders to the value of
Rs. 513-0-6 were sold while orders to the value of Rs. 22-2-0 were paid.
4,813 money orders of the value of Rs. 227,443-5-0 were issued, the com
mission on which amounted to Rs. 3,536-6-0 while 99 money orders to the
value of Rs. 5,039-8-0 were paid.
Judicial.—The number of Civil Suits filed in the Court of the Political
Agent was 1,697 and that of Criminal Cases wa s 302.
In addition there were 82 Miscellaneous petitions.
The total number of petitions received during the year was 2,081.
Criminal cases were mostly of common assault or theft, but the Sessions
Court of the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. tried 3 cases in which 8 persons were accused of
grievous hurt endangering life, theft and attempt to murder. One man was
sentenced to imprisonment for life, one man to 7 years’ rigorous imprison
ment, a third to 5 years’ rigorous imprisonment, while 5 men were acquitted.
Medical .—Assistant Surgeon R, Holmes remained in charge of the
Victoria Memorial Hospital from 1 st January to 23rd July, and from 22 nd
October to the end of the year. During the intervening period charge was
held by Assistant Surgeon E. C. Hynes. The Assistant Surgeon is also in
medical charge of the Bahrain Police Force and is medical adviser to the
'Shaikh of Bahrain.
233 indoor and 5,563 outdoor patients received treatment in the
Victoria Memorial Hospital. Six deaths due to Pneumonia, Tubercle of the
Lung and Fractures are reported.
The prevailing diseases were Malaria, and Diseases of the eyes and
Respiratory diseases. In spite of the sinking of many tube wells no in
crease in Malaria is reported.
There were no epidemics of plague or cholera but small pox prevailed
during the early part of the year.
A Municipal Vaccination Depot was opened, one male and one female
vaccinater being engaged, but little progress in vaccination was made. There
were only 369 vaccinations during the year. The Arabs belieyed that vac
cinations during an epidemic is dangerous while it is unnecessary
when small pox is absent from The island. The Medical Officer considers
that the unskilled efforts of vaccinators from Iraq is, responsible for the
low estimation in which vaccination is now held. The State is considering
the proper steps to take against unqualified medical practitioners.
The Hospital Boat made three voyages to the Pearl Banks during the
year. 917 cases were treated by the Officer in Charge. Th§ prevailing
diseases were Diseases of Respiration, Diseases) of the ear and Diseases of
the skin. 15 cases of scurvy were treated but no case of fish bite came under
observation.
The American Mission maintains two hospitals, the Mission Memorial
for men and the Marion Wells Thoms Memorial for women. Both hospitals
have been busy all the year. Patients come from Nejd, Persia, and most
parts of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
The equipment of the plants is constantly being improved. The new
well with its abundant water supply has proved a great asset as well as a
benefit to the Mission’s neighbours.
23,250 men and 8,996 women received dispensary treatment while 490
major and 297 minor operations were performed. 541 male and 147 female
patients were received into the hospital as in-patients.