CHARLES WATERTON, ESQ. lxix 
hand.. This, with calomel and jalap mixed together, 
as a purgative, with the use of rhubarb in occasional 
cases of dysentery, and with vast and often _re- 
peated potations of powdered Peruvian bark, as a 
restorative, has enabled me to grapple successfully 
with sickness when I was far away from medical 
aid. In cases where laudanum was absolutely ne- 
cessary, I was always extremely cautious, having 
seen far too many instances in other people of the 
distressing effects produced by the frequent use of 
this insidious drug. - My severest trials of sickness 
were those. when I had to contend with internal 
inflammation at the very time that I. was labouring 
under tertian ague. In those cases, the ague had to 
bear all the burden, for I knew that it was not a 
mortal complaint; whereas internal inflammation 
was not to be trifled with for one moment. Under 
this impression, I would fearlessly open a vein, and 
would trust to the Peruvian bark, at a later period, 
to counteract the additional encouragement which I 
had been forced to give to the ague, through the 
medium of the lancet. I am now, I think, in as 
perfect health as man can be. . But let me finish the 
account of my accident. On reaching home, I 
applied a very large poultice, which was renewed 
twice every day. The inflammation never extended 
beyond the knuckles; and I recovered the full use 
of the finger in due course of time. 
Early in the year 1817, an expedition was formed 
to explore the river Congo, in Africa. I went to 
London, and requested Sir Joseph Banks to allow 
me to accompany it as a volunteer. He acceded to 
d 3 
