37 
singly or together: palm-oil, freshly expressed from the nut, 
being always an important ingredient in it. This stew is made 
piquant and wholesome by the addition of salt, bitter tomatoes 
or ocroes, shallots, or, as substitute for the latter, the dried bark 
of a tree called ‘Edooah Ahyew’ (which resembles the onion in 
flavour and taste), and abundance of red peppers.” 
“ Animal food is, however, seldom eaten, and even milk is 
rarely used by them.” 
Dr. Clarke has been supported later by the experience of 
Colonial Surgeon Jones, from whose report in the year 
1867 I extract as follows :— 
“One of the most frequent complaints of the native population 
is constipation, which I attribute to the fact of their living all 
the year round on ‘Cankey’ and semi-rotten fish, and to the 
fact of these people being restricted to this miserable diet I 
think in a great measure is due the frequency with which they 
suffer from ulcers of the extremities, particularly of a low, 
indolent character, which are very difficult to heal.” 
I have not met in the Colony with any views since 
expressed as opposed to such opinions, but the conclu- 
sions of these gentlemen were no doubt based on the large 
consumption of what has been already described as stinking 
fish, on which the people have mainly to rely (and which 
they seem to prefer at any season) during the rough 
weather on the coast of Africa, occurring in the months of 
May, June, July, and August. 
Medical experience of note elsewhere, such as that of 
Dr. Gavin Milroy in the West Indies, accords with the 
conclusions of Messrs. Clarke and Jones on the subject of 
the baneful effects innutritious and semi-putrid fish food 
must have on the human system. 
I can recall here (I trust my memory serves me right) 
