35 
the coast people as compared with those of the interior, 
who are almost altogether dependent on, and prefer, un- 
wholesome and unsound fish, 
I can here remember what fine-looking people the 
Katanus—to be referred to later—are in spite of the mala- 
rious place in which they live ; they were, on the whole, a 
fresh fish-eating people, having plenty of open air exercise 
and abundance of bathing. : 
I am given to understand that no special diseases 
show themselves among the coast fishing population. TI 
may except the greater liability to craw-craw and Guinea 
worm on the part of those engaged in fresh and brackish 
water, owing to constant wading and passing through grass. 
On the contrary the sea fishermen are about the healthiest 
class, as elsewhere, from their healthy occupation, compa- 
rative cleanliness, in the way of abundant sea-bathing, fresh 
fish-food, and the sale of surplus catch resulting in enabling 
them to supply themselves with other forms of diet. Their 
suffering from exposure is nil; then it will be remembered 
that natives are very fond of oiling their bodies, which 
would greatly assist in keeping up their temperature, and 
then do away with risk of chill, so promotive of fever and 
rheumatism in Africa. 
From the nature and general condition of the fish used 
as food, as also in consequence of the preference held for 
fish in a state of semi-decomposition rather than when fresh 
and wholesome, one is induced to look around for the issue 
of some ill consequence. It is not within my intention or 
scope to advance any theories, but I may repeat that the 
natives of West Africa suffer, besides ordinarily, much 
from elephantiasis, leprosy, yaws, cutaneous diseases, and 
ulcerations of a low order. The primitive and defective 
system of curing, apart from the semi-putrid condition of 
[33] D2 
