16 
INTKODUCTION 
Dervish 
warriors as 
laboratory 
attendants 
An ethno¬ 
logical paper 
Review of 
recent work 
in Tropical 
Medicine, etc. 
occupied the important, if pi'ecarious, position of medical adviser to the Khalifa. Doctor 
llassan Effendi Zeki naturally possesses an unrivalled knowledge of the medical and 
surgical practices which were in vogue amongst the Dervishes, and he has kindly given 
the benefit of his remarkable experience. I approached him, at the suggestion of 
Mr. Wellcome,' to whom he had previously sent a paper on the subject. The present article 
has been enlarged and amplified from the original, and, perhaps mon^ than anything else could 
ilo, points to the change which has come over the Sudan since it fell under civilising 
influences. In this connection it is also of interest to note that our chief native laboratory 
attendant, who can now be trusted to make excellent blood films and attend to the 
sterilisation of bacteriological media, was one of the fighting Dervishes in Kordofan, while 
the man who keeps the museum clean, served in the ranks of the Khalifa at the battle 
of Omdurman. As an addendum to Dr. Zeki’s paper T had intended to contribute a 
few notes on native Sudanese remedies, some of which are of considerable interest and not 
ilevoid of value, but I was unable to find time to do so at any length, and the fact that 
Bimbashia Anderson and Bousfield kindly sent in valuable papers, dealing to some extent 
with the question, rendered it iinnecessary. 
Sir E. Baron von Slatin was also good enough to collect some interesting information 
on this topic. 
I am specially indebted to Captain Anderson for his notes on medical customs 
and superstitions in Kordofan. They rej)resent very careful and accurate research u})on a 
fascinating subject, and, I think, constitute the most important ethnological work which 
has yet been performed in the country. 
Another new feature in the present Report will be found to consist of a brief Review^ 
of the most important recent advances and discoveries in tro})ical and veterinary medicine, 
bacteriology and hygiene. I am aware that it is very difficult for medical and veterinary 
officers stationed in the Sudan to keep in close touch with current literature. It is difficult 
enough even when one is located in fairly well equipped laboratories situated in the capital 
of the. country. It is quite impossible for tho.se working in out-stations or travelling about. 
Hence it occurred to me that these officials, to many of whom the laboratories are indebted 
for notes and specimens, might appreciate a paper of this kind. No attempt has been made 
to produce a text-book, and, indeed, I fear that in several resj)ects the resumr will be found 
deficient, for one has not time or opportunity to read very fully and thoroughly the vast mass 
of literature which accumulates on these subjects. Still for the past six years a certain 
number of leading British and Foreign journals have been regularly laid under contribution, 
while an attempt has been made to become acquainted with the most up-to-date t(^xt-books 
and treatises. The. fact that II. E. the (Tovernor-fTeneral kindly granted nie a month’s 
study-leave for sp(‘cial work on water bacteriology in the summer of 1907 , enabled me to 
make good some ileficiencies. The various references are given so that those who wish to go 
more fully into any special subject may be able to obtain the original book or paper, and 
it is hoped that the notes ma}' also stimulate enquiry and indicate subjects requiriug 
elucidation in the Sudan. As tar as possible the references have been confined to sound, 
practical papers likely to be helpful, but the scientific aspect of certain (|uestions has been 
considered for the reasons stated above. 
* Jlr. Wellcome is orgnnising .'in historical medical exhibition to be held in London shortly. Those interested 
in ancient and native medicine and surgery would do well to communicate with him.—A.E. 
This Review is issued as a Supplement to the Report and is contained in a separate volume. 
