AND LOWER EGYPT. 6l 



alone all diseases are classed, and yon have no oc- 

 casion (o peipiex yourself either with their grada- 

 tions, their names, or theirnumerous subdivisions. 

 I was so well versed in these forms of Egyptian prac- 

 tice, that, after having gravely taken the wrist pre- 

 sented to me, I could pronounce boldly, and it 

 very rarely happened that I was mistaken in my 

 conjecture. To this method of practice I at times 

 added a little deceit. I pretended not to under- 

 stand a word of Arabic. My interpreter was always 

 by my side ; I however understood the language 

 sufheiently to lay hold of those details which were 

 given unsuspectingly in my presence, in the persua- 

 sion that I did not comprehend them. This ad- 

 dress was, without doubt, very allowable, when I 

 had to choose between eminc:nce and the most dan- 

 gerous consequences. This deception, which par- 

 takes a little of quackery, and which detractors 

 from the art of medicine will not fail to call inse- 

 parable from the profession of a physician, was of 

 great service to me at Sioiit, on an occasion when 

 an attempt was made to put my skill to the test. 



The Kias chef one day sent and requested me to 

 corae to his house; he was in his hall of state. 

 Twenty other officers of the Mamelucs were ranged 

 on each side of him on the floor of his divan, and 

 all of them, or I deceived myself, appeared to enjoy 

 perfect health, When I- was introduced, the Kias- 



chef 



