346 TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
fingle antidotes might not have been found to obviate the in- 
fluence of diftinft poifons, but what could produce fo complete 
a change in the human body, as that no poifon fhould have any 
effedt on it ? 
C'lrcumcifion. 
The practice of circumcifion may be traced to fuch remote 
antiquity, that its origin baffles all refearch : yet apparently its 
hiftory has not received all the illuftration of w^hich it is capa- 
ble from a diligent colle£tion of fads. It has been afcribed to 
the ftrud:ure of the organs, in certain countries, which it is faid 
impede coition, or facilitate the appearance of morbid fymp- 
toms. But what may have been perfe£lly true of individuals, it 
may perhaps not be permitted to alTume with regard to a 
whole nation, much lefs with relation to the inhabitants of an 
extenfive region. 
Among the Furians circumcifion appears to be no other than 
a religious ceremony, performed in compliance with an exprefs 
command of the author of their faith ; and it is very doubtful 
whether it was ever pradtifed among them before their conver- 
fion to Mohammedifm. It is now often negleded till the male 
have attained the age of eighteen or more years, and this omif- 
fion feems to be confidered by them as a matter of indifference ; 
nor are there perfons who habitually and regularly exercife that 
art, as in Egypt and other Mohammedan countries. 
Exc'i/ion, 
