242 THE AUTHOR IS CONSULTED AS A PHYSICIAN. 
brought me two dozen of oranges to quench my thirst, and 
spread upon the ground several mats, which made me an 
excellent bed, for Africa. 
April l6th. Early in the morning Boubakar entered 
my hut, and told me, that wishing to induce me to stay in his 
village he should present me with a goat. The protestations 
with which he accompanied this gift, determined me to 
comply with his desire. His presence had protected me from 
importunity, but when he was gone, all the children of the 
village flocked to my hut, each bringing a little present of 
oranges ; next came the old men, and lastly a crowd of women. 
On entering they took me by the hand, and solicited medical 
assistance for the disorders with which they were afflicted. 
From this consultation, I learned that venereal diseases, the 
gout, and goitres, were the most frequent maladies of this 
place. When these patients had retired, a woman oftered me 
a calebash full of oranges, intreating me to give her an herb 
that would make her have children. I answered, that this 
was beyond the reach of human skill, and that she must address 
her prayers to God to obtain what she wished for. Most of the 
women consulted me for form's sake, as they were all in good 
health; I had no doubt that the object of their visit was 
interested, and was convinced of it when I saw them go away 
dissatisfied, because the white man had not given them either 
amber or glass beads. 
While I was engaged in answering the questions which 
