CHARLES WATERTON, ESQ. Ixix 



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 in- 

 flammation 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 



