'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎75] (240/524)

AROUND THE SHORE LINE OF THE PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . 75
still keep an eye on Koweit for future purposes. It is, in my opinion,
by no means impossible that Koweit, under an effective development of
the Gulf trade, would become the terminus for our sea-going steamers,
a coal station, and a telegraph station. The more you analyze the ques
tion, the more you will probably be struck by the fact that the trade of
the East and West has a marked tendency to resume its old lines under
improved means of transit. Koweit ap>pears to me a preferable port
to Busreh, for the same reasons that Kurrachee is preferable to Tatta.
The climate of Busreh is fatal, that of Koweit comparatively good.
The water of Koweit it is true is brackish, yet fever is unknown.
Dysentery and ophthalmia are rare, and when men commence begetting
new families at 80, and die at 120, the climate cannot be considered as
prematurely exhausting.
134. The only remedies in use are firing, accompanied by doses of
senna. If a man suffer from indigestion, he is fired in spots round the
navel. If he have chest complaint, he is fired on the back near the
shoulder blade. The sores are kept open for months as issues. And
the efficacy of the treatment is much applauded. Their constitutions
are strong however.
135. The prevalent North-wester is tempered from the desert by
blowing over ten miles of bay; yet it does not, in that space, gain
that muggy, relaxing character with which it arrives on the opposite
coast at Bushire. Koweit is always approachable by ships, and
affords good and ample harbourage. Busreh is 70 miles up a river.
Koweit has a fine broad channel of creek water running from its bay
up to within 12 miles of the Busreh point of the river. I landed close
alongside the Zobeir Bunder, in 4 fathoms ; and this was the least water
I found in a mid-channel of an average width of one mile, from the
Koweit end of the creek up to its head, within sight of the date trees
on the Shat-ul-Arab near Busreh. The cutting of a canal across
these twelve miles of flat soil would be a work of little cost and
labour.
136. On the whole, and without endeavouring to change trade
from any present channel, I would bear Koweit in mind as a conveni
ent point for a telegraph station and for a coal depot ; for the meeting of
sea-going and river steamers and other craft, and as a possible future
port of importance.