52 WAGNER and TREVOR 



for it at once. Apart from this they are an actual economy, as the 

 articles bought separately cost more than the entire complete 

 canteen. They are of all sizes suitable to parties of any number. 



Over and above the canteens some extras are, however, necessary. 

 Thus, to drink tea or coffee out of a metal cup is very unsatis- 

 factory and it is worth while taking a number of the handless 

 glazed earthenware basins, called kommetjes, out of which the trek 

 Boers usually drink. These are very cheap and carry without much 

 breakage. If there are facilities for carrying them porcelain cups 

 and glass tumblers should of course be taken. 



An additional frying-pan and some saucepans are an advantage, 

 but the main cooking utensil and by far the most convenient one 

 is the three-legged pot which is obtainable in every shop in Africa. 

 There are two patterns- the round-bottomed one for ordinary cooking 

 and the flat-bottomed, flat-topped one, known as the Boer-pot" 

 for roasting and baking. 



Vacuum Flasks. Vacuum flasks are an absolute godsend to the 

 modern traveller as they keep food and drink either hot or cold 

 as may be desired and the comfort they give amply compensates 

 for the space they occupy. They should if possible be carried in an 

 upright position as the glass lining is apt to break at the neck if 

 they are carried on the side. 



5. WATER AND FOOD. 



Water. It should be taken as an absolute axiom that all water 

 in Africa, with the exception of that of springs on mountains and 

 the slopes of the Great Escarpment, is polluted. Enteric is endemic 

 from one end of the country to the other, though the inhabitants 

 to a large extent are immune to the disease. 



In the circumstances strangers cannot be too careful about seeing 

 that all water they consume is thouroughly boiled or sterilised 

 before it is placed in the receptacles for storage. For boiling water 

 a special utensil in the form af a large copper pot is sometimes 

 carried und used for that purpose only. Sterilisation, by means of 

 iodine is preferred by some to boiling. For this purpose Evans' 

 sterilising tablets should be carried. Full directions as to use are 

 supplied with them. Each member of the party should be provided 

 with a large felt-covered aluminium water flask. 



Canvas water bags and water coolers are invaluable to the tra- 

 veller, providing cool water in the hottest weather. On the other 

 hand, however, they are probably the most dangerous articles of 



