of Edinburgh, Session 1885 — 86 . 757 
have definite privileges. In large establishments the favourite 
for the day wears some distinguishing ornament ; in some cases 
it is a small bell hung round the neck. 
Divorce is unknown, for if a wife misbehave herself she is 
executed. Notwithstanding this stringent law, an immense amount 
of immorality prevails. There is no class of courtesans, such as 
exists in the neighbouring country of Unyoro, where an elaborate 
system is in vogue. 
The condition of women in Uganda is a very pitiable and 
degraded one, as, with the exception of one or two favourite wives, 
they are mostly devoted to a monotonous and hardworking existence. 
Births . — In ordinary circumstances, women are delivered in their 
usual huts, being assisted by a few female friends, men and 
children being excluded. The woman is delivered on her back, her 
legs being placed against the wall of the hut. In difficult cases 
medicine-men are called in, but I was unable to ascertain whether 
their aid was successful except in the cases in which they perform 
abdominal section.* 
Dor a few days before a woman expects her labour, she eats very 
little food and abstains from exercise. During and after labour 
frequent ablutions are performed, and the child is washed and oiled 
soon after birth, and then at once put to the breast. Should the 
mother’s milk be small in quantity, an application of some chewed 
root is applied to the breasts, which is said to be a very valuable 
galactagogue. In jprimajpara, the nipples are always drawn out by 
the woman’s friends some days before they will be required. In 
the large establishments of the chiefs an old woman has charge of 
the women, and acts as head midwife. After labour the women 
are not expected to work for about fourteen days. 
The navel cord is preserved, and in the case of the king and 
chiefs it is covered with beadwork ornaments. The king’s navel 
cord is committed to a chief of high rank, and he brings it to 
court on special occasions. The placenta is buried outside of the 
hut, that of males on the one side, of females on the other. 
Births are celebrated by great rejoicings amongst the relations, 
but should twins be born the whole of the villagers assemble on the 
fifth or sixth day at the hut in which the woman and children live. 
* For a successful case of which, see Obstet. Trans. Edin., vol. ix. p. 28. 
