122 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



The most common complaints are cholic and " horse 

 sickness " produced by the tetse-fly {Glossina morsitans). 

 It is much akin to sleeping sickness and nearly always fatal, 



KOTOKO FISHEEMAN BIBING DOWN-STEBAM 



but the horses that do recover become immune to further 

 attack from the disease. Most of the large towns possess a 

 horse-doctor of some sort or other. Herbal medicines are 

 generally used, and potash is largely given in the water 

 to keep the horse in health, and a fire is always kept 

 smouldering near the animal in the hut at night when the 

 flies are most active. 



The natives keep their horses rather for ornament than use, 

 pacing them for short distances at high speed and pulling 

 them up dead upon their haunches, all for the object of show- 

 ing off the horsemanship of the rider. They also use cruel, 



