SOME TBIBAIi CUSTOMS IN THEIR RELATION TO MEDiriNE AND IMORAI/S 



277 



and it would seem largely through their influence that what I have descrihud as the 

 " unconscious conversion " to Islam, has made such advances amongst: — 



" Your new-caught, sullen peoples, 

 Half-devil and half-child." 



As regards the healing art (our original subject), after due consideration, one must 

 conclude that it is more magical than medicinal, and in its superstition an unqualified 

 danger. Were the crudest outline of medicine and hygiene more widely distributed 

 among these people (on such a system as the present training and posting of "sanitary 

 barbers " in the rest of the Sudan) the benefit would be great, especially in its influence 

 on the increase of population, due to diminished infant and adolescent mortality. 



And yet, when all has been said and done, it remains an open question whether, 

 politically at any rate, it were not as well to leave the savage utterly to his primordial 

 darkness. 



I would like here to express my thanks to the numerous officials and authorities whom 

 I have quoted in reference, more especially to Major S. Lyle Cunniiins, E.A.M.C., for 

 many valuable suggestions; as also to Mr. Stanley C. Dunn, Sudan Government Geologist, 

 for his kind permission to produce illustrations (Figs. 69, 70) ; to Mr. George N. Morhig, 

 proprietor of the English Pharmacy, Khartoum (Figs. 73, 77) ; and to Messrs. 

 SaouUi & Chrissanthou, proprietors of the Victoria Book Stores, Khartoum (Fig. 78). 



Fig. 79. — Euwa Divining Board (Side View) 

 (fiiicfagc 252/ 



