a6 TRAVELS IN 
and that it fcarcely began to turn grey at 
the extremities. 
I was next conduced to a hut entirely 
feparated from the reft, which contained a 
horrid fpe6tacle — a miferable wretch covered 
with ulcers from head to foot. Having ftooped 
in order to enter, the infeftious fmell that 
proceeded from the hut made me flart back 
w^ith horror. This poor creature had lain 
here for more than a year, without any one 
daring to approach him ; fo much did they 
dread being infeded by this diforder, which 
was accounted contagious : his wife indeed, 
and two of his children, had died about two 
months before. His food was thrown to him 
at the entrance of his habitation, or rather 
tomb; for to me he appeared to be no longer 
a living being. His fituation, which was 
truly deplorable, incited my pity ; for he had 
long remained ftretched out amidft his own 
filth and ordure : and I was extremely forry 
that I could not by fome efficacious remedy 
afford him relief. 
In vain did I remember that at Surinam 
we gathered ourfelves the balm of Copahu, 
and that of Racaffir, which I believe is the 
Tolu of the apothecaries fhops ; and that 
with 
