AN ATTACK OF FILARIASIS 203 



drive the evil one away. Outside on the river bank four 

 stalks of bamboo, which had branches and leaves at 

 the top, were placed in a slanting position. From the 

 stems of these were hung two diminutive bamboo re- 

 ceptacles made in the form of square, stiff mats, on which 

 was placed the mixture of rice and blood for the antoh 

 to eat. Also suspended were two short pieces of bamboo 

 cut open lengthwise so as to form two small troughs, into 

 which a little blood was poured for the same supernatural 

 power to drink. 



When all this had been made ready the old blian, ac- 

 companied by two young pupils, took position before the 

 sacrifice. For about ten minutes he spoke, with his face 

 to the south, requesting a good antoh to come and the 

 evil one to depart, after which he, the young men, and the 

 kapala, who stood near, all repeatedly threw up rice in a 

 southerly direction. This was done in expectation that 

 the good antoh, having eaten of the sacrifice, would feel 

 disposed to drive the bad one away. 



In the middle of April I was seized with an attack of 

 filariasis, a disorder caused by the sting of a certain kind 

 of mosquito. During the day I had felt pain in the glands 

 of the loins, which were swollen, without giving the mat- 

 ter any particular attention. As I am not in the habit 

 of being ill, in fact, so far had prided myself on growing 

 younger each year, this experience of suddenly becoming 

 very weak and miserable was most unexpected. Vomit- 

 ing set in, so I went immediately to bed, and slept soundly 

 during the night and also most of the next day, when I 

 found myself with an extremely high fever, much more 



