1V8 TIBET. Chap. XXIV. 



knocked up by the rarified air ; they had taken a whole 

 day to march here from Yeumtso, scarcely six miles, and 

 could eat no food at night. A Lama of our party offered 

 up prayers * to Kinchinjhow for the recovery of a stout 

 Lepcha lad (called Nurko), who showed no signs of anima- 

 tion, and had all the symptoms of serous apoplexy. The Lama 

 perched a saddle on a stone, and burning incense before 

 it, scattered rice to the winds, invoking Kinchin, Donkia, 

 and all the neighbouring peaks. A strong dose of calomel 

 and jalap, which we poured down the sick lad's throat, 

 contributed materially to the success of these incantations. 

 The Tibetan Sepoys were getting tired of our delays, 

 which so much favoured my operations; but though showing 

 signs of impatience and sulkiness, they behaved well to the 

 last; taking the sick man to the top of the pass on their 

 yaks, and assisting all the party : nothing, however, would 

 induce them to cross into Sikkim, which they considered 

 as "Company's territory." 



Before proceeding to the pass, I turned off to the east, 

 and reascended Donkia to upwards of 19,000 feet, vainly 

 hoping to get a more distant view, and other bearings 

 of the Tibetan mountains. The ascent was over enormous 

 piles of loose rocks split by the frost, and was extremely 

 fatiguing. I reached a peak overhanging a steep pre- 

 cipice, at whose base were small lakes and glaciers, from 

 which flowed several sources of the Lachen, afterwards 

 swelled by the great affluent from Cholamoo lake. A few 

 rocks striking north-east and dipping north-west, projected 



' All diseases are attributed by the Tibetans to the four elements, who are 

 propitiated accordingly in cases of severe illness. The winds are invoked in cases 

 of affections of the breathing; fire in fevers and inflammations; water in dropsy 

 and diseases whereby the fluids are affected; and the God of earth when solid 

 organs are diseased, as in liver-complaints, rheumatism, &c. Propitiatory offerings 

 are made to the deities of these elements, but never sacrifices. 



