I Fondly Hoped That They Had A More Potent Remedy
Than Our Own Medicines Afford; But After Being Stewed In
Their vapor-baths,
smoked like a red herring over green twigs, and charmed `secundem artem',
I concluded that I could
Cure the fever more quickly than they can.
If we employ a wet sheet and a mild aperient in combination with quinine,
in addition to the native remedies, they are an important aid
in curing the fever, as they seem to have the same stimulating effects
on the alimentary canal as these means have on the external surface.
Purgatives, general bleedings, or indeed any violent remedies, are injurious;
and the appearance of a herpetic eruption near the mouth
is regarded as an evidence that no internal organ is in danger.
There is a good deal in not "giving in" to this disease.
He who is low-spirited, and apt to despond at every attack,
will die sooner than the man who is not of such a melancholic nature.
The Makololo had made a garden and planted maize for me,
that, as they remarked when I was parting with them to proceed to the Cape,
I might have food to eat when I returned, as well as other people.
The maize was now pounded by the women into fine meal. This they do
in large wooden mortars, the counterpart of which may be seen depicted
on the Egyptian monuments.* Sekeletu added to this good supply of meal
ten or twelve jars of honey, each of which contained about two gallons.
Liberal supplies of ground-nuts (`Arachis hypogoea') were also furnished
every time the tributary tribes brought their dues to Linyanti, and an ox
was given for slaughter every week or two. Sekeletu also appropriated
two cows to be milked for us every morning and evening. This was in
accordance with the acknowledged rule throughout this country, that the chief
should feed all strangers who come on any special business to him and take up
their abode in his kotla. A present is usually given in return
for the hospitality, but, except in cases where their aboriginal customs
have been modified, nothing would be asked. Europeans spoil the feeling that
hospitality is the sacred duty of the chiefs by what in other circumstances
is laudable conduct. No sooner do they arrive than they offer
to purchase food, and, instead of waiting till a meal is prepared for them
in the evening, cook for themselves, and then often decline
even to partake of that which has been made ready for their use.
A present is also given, and before long the natives come to expect a gift
without having offered any equivalent.
-
* Unfortunately, the illustration shown with this paragraph
cannot be shown in this ASCII file. It has the following caption:
`Egyptian Pestle and Mortar, Sieves, Corn Vessels, and Kilt,
identical with those in use by the Makololo and Makalaka.
- From Sir G. Wilkinson's "Ancient Egyptians".' - A. L., 1997.
-
Strangers frequently have acquaintances among the under-chiefs,
to whose establishments they turn aside, and are treated on the same principle
that others are when they are the guests of the chief.
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