338 TRAVELS IN 
bandage, in order to dimlnifli their hunger, 
which they endure for a long time, and appeafe 
with very little. This curious method of em- 
ploying ligatures is alfo among them a general 
remedy, which they ufe for all difeafes. They 
bind a clofe bandage round the head, or any 
other part afFeded, and think that in confining 
the diftemper they drive it away. I have been 
more than once prefent at fuch operations; and, 
after they were finiflied according to the pa- 
tients wilh, I have feen them become quite com- 
pofed, and reply with more readinefs when I 
enquired tenderly how they did, and afiure 
me that they found great relief. However 
whimfical this cuftom may appear, it would 
not be fo generally adopted by thefe people, 
did it not anfwer the high idea which they 
entertain of it. 
Thofe Hottentots whom I had fent tofearch 
for hippopotami foon returned, and informed 
me, that in coafting along the river they 
obferved one in a place fo covered with reeds, 
that they found it impoffible to reach the water 
in order to examine it more clofely, but that 
eveiy time he approached the furface to 
breathe they had heard him diftindly ; that 
they had in vain fired feveral times to frighten 
him, 
