42 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



An infirmity, to which the Abyffinians are fubject, of 

 much worfe confequence to the community than the ele- 

 phantiafis, I mean lying, makes it impoffible to form, from 

 their relations, any accurate account of fymptoms that might 

 lead the learned to difcover the caufes of this extraordinary 

 diftemper, and thence fuggeft fome rational method to cure, 

 cr diminifh it. 



It was not from the ignorance of language, nor from 

 want of opportunity, and lefs from want of pains, that I am 

 not able to give a more diftinct account of this dreadful dif- 

 order. I kept one of thofe infected in a houfe adjoining to 

 mine, in my way to the palace, for near two years ; and, 

 during that time, I tried every fort of regimen that I could 

 devife. My friend, Dr Ruffel, phyfician at Aleppo, (now in 

 the Eafl Indies), to whofe care and ikill I was indebted for 

 my life in a dangerous fever which I had in Syria, and whofe 

 friendfhip I muft always confider as one of the greateft ac- 

 quisitions I evef made in travelling, defiredme, among other 

 medical inquiries, to try the effect of the cicuta upon this 

 difeafe ; and a considerable quantity, made according to the 

 direction of Dr Storkc, phyfician in Vienna, was fent me from. 

 Paris, with inllructions how to ufe it* 



Having firft explained the whole matter, both to the 

 king, Ras Michael, and Azage Tecla Haimanout, chief juftice 

 of the king's bench in Abyffmia, and told them of the con- 

 fequences of giving too great a dole, I obtained their joint 

 permi/fions to go on without fear, and do what I thought 

 requifite. It is my opinion, fays the Azage, that no harm 

 that may accidentally befal one miferable individual, now 

 already cut off from fociety, mould hinder the trial* (the* 



only 



