800 Lieut. Irwin's Memoir of Afghanistan. [Oct. 



rises in the most elevated part of that ridge continues to increase after 

 that period. It perhaps reaches its acme the first week of June, 

 but I have received contradictory information on the subject. The 

 M urghab, and whatever streams are found in the Jumsheedee country, 

 in Mymuna, and Undkho, may be presumed to be highest in the 

 spring. 



83. The Oxus and Jaxartes, and all their remaining branches which 

 have been enumerated in the introduction, including the streams of 

 Bulkh, rise in the spring, but are highest in the summer, notwith- 

 standing the draught of that season. Some of the subordinate streams 

 are higher in spring than in summer, but they are considerable 

 enough to impart the same character to the principal ones into which 

 they discharge themselves. With respect to the Neelum, and the 

 rivers of Chinese Toorkistan, we know little beyond their names. 

 From circumstances it may be conjectured that they are higher in 

 summer than in spring. 



Section IV. — Of Salubrity. 



84. I am able to offer but a few detached observations on this 

 subject. Its importance induces me not to pass it altogether in silence, 

 although my opportunities have been small, and its natural difficul ties 

 are very great. There are few subjects on which opinions are so con- 

 tradictory, and so many regular prejudices prevail. Medicine is at 

 a low ebb in the country, and its professors entertain many absurd 

 opinions respecting the original causes of disease, most of which they 

 deduce from the qualities they attribute to different species of food, 

 paying little regard to the operation of other causes, which among us 

 are considered as the most palpable and powerful. The doctrines of 

 Avicena are much followed, especially in Toorkistan. Physicians in 

 these countries are not liberally rewarded, and many are obliged to 

 travel from place to place in pursuit of a livelihood. These are chiefly 

 natives of Peshawur and its neighbourhood, and their travels are prin- 

 cipally confined to Toorkistan, which they visit on the opening of the 

 spring. Few or no natives of Toorkistan or Khoorasan pass into other 

 countries with such views. Some of these itinerants add the practice 

 of the ruml, and other occult arts, to their accomplishments. They 

 traverse great spaces, and being everywhere welcome, have the best 



