FITNESS AND GENERAL HEALTH 7 



serious accidents occur, as broken legs or very severe 

 cases of fever, etc., among the carriers, all that is 

 possible should be done, and the man taken and left 

 at the nearest village to be attended to by his own 

 native doctor. This gives the man a better chance 

 of recovering than muddling about with an insufficient 

 knowledge. To any one who has seen how quickly 

 most natives heal and what faith they place in their 

 medicine men, no question as to the best course to 

 pursue would arise. 



The white man must, however, be his own doctor, 

 and will have to cure all his own ills, unless uncon- 

 sciousness or deliriousness intervenes, when the head- 

 man should have been previously instructed as to 

 what to do on the spot, and have orders to carry him 

 "with all despatch to the nearest white man or town. 

 Medicine Chests and Medicines, Etc. — A 

 medicine-chest should be carried, containing every drug, 

 wash, and bandage that will be required ; do not cut 

 these too fine, as it is surprising what a quantity of 

 quinine, salts, and bandages can be consumed even on 

 a short trip, for mild touches of fever, bush sores, etc. 

 Also allowance has to be made for medicines that 

 may be administered to the natives, and if a cure of 

 a dose of fever, indigestion, or dysentery has been 

 effected, it is wonderful how soon the news spreads, 

 and the whole country-side is besieging the white man 

 for cures for every disease under the sun. Avoid, how- 

 ever, if possible, giving the medicines away to people 



