xvi BIG GAME AND BIG GAME HUNTING 167 



mination, there seems a probability of a decided 

 increase in the numbers of such game. Such an 

 increase, let me say, would prove a serious calamity, 

 for it would give a great impetus to the propagation 

 of the deadly tse-tse fly, which follows big game 

 and breeds in their dung. This pest, as is well 

 known, means death to all domestic animals, and 

 thus renders uninhabitable by Europeans vast 

 tracts of country which would otherwise make 

 admirable colonizing grounds. The matter reduces 

 itself to the simple question is Africa going to 

 serve as a colony for surplus European populations, 

 or as a collection of big game reserves ? 



On the subject of bodily hygiene and of a dietary 

 suitable for the tropics, a great deal has been 

 written. Naturally, in such matters individuals 

 differ ; one man's food is another man's poison. 

 My personal experience differs somewhat from the 

 usual and may prove interesting, if not useful, to 

 those intending to pass any considerable time in 

 these regions. Firstly, with regard to baths, I 

 have never departed from the good old-fashioned 

 cold tub and rub down, preceded by exercise on 

 rising, while in the evening, I wash down thoroughly 

 with soap and hot water and finish off with a cold 

 douche. Before retiring, I always rub myself all 

 over with cocoa-nut oil to keep my skin in perfect 

 condition. 



