360 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



which sometimes kills every one it attacks. I was 

 at Fernando Po when the fever hroke out which 

 decimated the island, and in the " Ranger" at 

 Bonny, where a hundred and sixty-two out of two 

 hundred and seventy-eight white men were carried 

 off in about three months ; and I believe there is 

 very little difference between this class of disease 

 and the yellow fever of the West Indies — black 

 vomit and continued insensibility preceding death. 

 Both are infectious, which ordinary Coast-fever is 

 not. Delays are dangerous in this climate; the 

 slightest symptom should be immediately met with 

 decided and energetic treatment, constant doses of 

 quinine should be taken daily, more especially 

 when exposed to the dew, rain, night-air. or the 

 malaria engendered by winds blowing over swampy 

 ground or decomposed vegetation. 



The only cure for Coast dysentery is, immediate 

 removal out of tropical climates, otherwise it will 

 certainly end fatally. I need not add that good 

 living, and extreme moderation as regards stimu- 

 lants, are absolutely requisite in this climate, even 

 to exist. Unfortunately, Coast life is so monotonous 



