The other case was somewhat similar, but the patient was a fanatical Moslem priest, whom I afterwards found out was a well-known "majnoon" (madman). He also had been admitted alone, and we had but little trouble with him until after the operation (also for "cataract") had been performed. A few hours later my assistant came running to me, and said: "Doctor, that old cataract patient declares that he must and he will say his prayers. We have done our best to prevent him, but in vain." Now a Mohammedan, before he prays, performs certain ablutions, which include washing his hands and face; so I at once ran up to the ward, but, alas! we arrived too late. The old priest had taken off his bandage, washed his face and hands, said his prayers, and was quite unable to understand why the Hakim Sahib should be angry! We gave the poor old man some lotion and a shade for his eye, and sent him back to his home (as he lived in Mosul), refusing to accept any further responsibility. Some weeks later my assistant met the old priest in the bazaar, quite pleased with himself, for he had actually obtained sufficient sight to find his way about alone. Fortunately the majority of the patients are more reasonable, and quickly learn to submit more or less to "hospital regulations." Children sometimes proved troublesome, especially boys, when accompanied by a crowd of relations. I remember one morning, when making my daily round, coming across a group of people surrounding a little boy six years of age. He had been ordered a dose of castor oil, and had made up his obstinate little mind that he would not take the nasty stuff. Being a boy, and only son and heir, he had been spoilt most royally. Father, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friends each in turn tried persuasion, varied by gentle threats, all in vain. He beat and (I am sorry to say) cursed the women, his mother included, and sullenly refused to accept the medicine from his father, despite sundry promises of sweets, money, &c. After watching the scene with some amusement I stepped forward, took the cup containing the obnoxious castor oil, and forcibly administered the dose without regarding the boy's shrieks and tears. Then I read the parents a little lecture upon the evil result of spoiling their children, which I fear had but scant result. Often do I feel ashamed as I note how patiently pain and diseases are borne by these poor people. It is always "the will of God," and therefore there is no use complaining, and little use rebelling. Time after time have I had to gently break the news to some poor patient, who may have come long distances to see the English doctor, that his blindness could not be cured by operation, being caused by what is popularly known as black cataract (glaucoma). A few (usually women) would go away weeping, but the vast majority both of men and women would quietly respond, "Alhamd'llillah" (Praise be to God), with but little sign of emotion.