'File 19/218 (C 84) Bahrain Succession' [‎77r] (155/210)

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Note on the death of His Highness
Shaikh Sir Hamad bin Isa Alkhalifah,
and the succession of His Highness
Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Alkhalifah.
For several years Shaikh Hamad had been in poor
health. When he was in London in 1936 he visited
the leading medical authority on diabetes and had a
course of treatment and was recommended a diet and
regular doses of insulin. After his return to
Bahrain he was treated by Dr. R. Holmes and later by
the State Medical Officer, Dr. R.H.B.Snow. An Indian
dresser from the government hospital was allotted to
him and was in attendance wherever Shaikh Hamad was
living. The insulin treatment was carried out un
ceasingly but in spite of incessant warnings, requests
and reminders from his medical attendants, his rela
tions, servants and myself Shaikh Hamad practically
ignored the rules of his diet which had been laid down.
One of his few concessions in the matter of diet was
abstention from sweet tea, which he had never liked,
and from sweets and sweet cakes on public occasions.
He continued recklessly to eat quantities of rice and
dates, especially during the fresh date season. He
used to be a very light eater but towards the end of
his life he ate heavily. In consequence of this it
became necessary to increase the quantity of insulin
which was given to him until at the end he was receiving
abnormally large doses. About two years ago - it is
difficult to decide any actual date - it became notice
able that Shaikh Hamad had become very stiff on his
left side, both his arm and his leg being affected.
It was for this reason that he found it comfortable to
use the small arm®^' chairs which he kept in the palace