INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 275 
an occurrence would naturally form an epoch in their tradi- 
tional history. 
But, notwithstanding that longevity is uncommon among 
them, it appeared to me that their diseases are but few in 
number. Their simple diet, and active way of life, preserve 
them from many of those disorders, which embitter the days 
of luxury and idleness. Fevers and fluxes are the most common, 
and the most fatal. For these, they generally apply saphies 
to different parts of the body, and perform a great many other 
superstitious ceremonies; some of which are, indeed, well cal- 
culated to inspire the patient with the hope of recovery, and 
divert his mind from brooding over his own danger. But I 
have sometimes observed among them, a more systematic mode 
of treatment. On the first attack of a fever, when the patient 
complains of cold, he is frequently placed in a sort of vapour 
bath ; this is done by spreading branches of the fiauclea orien- 
talis upon hot wood embers, and laying the patient upon them, 
wrapped up in a large cotton cloth. Water is then sprinkled 
upon the branches, which descending to the hot embers, soon 
covers the patient with a cloud of vapour, in which he is 
allowed to remain until the embers are almost extinguished. 
This practice commonly produces a profuse perspiration, and 
wonderfully relieves the sufferer. 
For the dysentery, they use the bark of different trees 
reduced to powder, and mixed with the patient's food; but this 
practice is in general very unsuccessful. 
The other diseases which prevail among the Negroes, are. 
the yaws; the elephantiasis ; and a leprosy of the very worst kind. 
N n 2 
