SURGERY. 
361 
is applied to the bites of snakes, and is also made 
use of by their doctors in drawing out blood from 
the diseased part, a string being tied to the hair, if 
it be the head that ails, or to any other part, and 
the opposite end is put into the sorcerer’s mouth, 
who then commences sucking and spitting out 
blood, which he declares comes from the patient. 
Blood letting is practised occasionally to relieve 
pains in the head, or oppression of the system. The 
operation is performed by opening a vein in the 
arm, with a piece of rock crystal in the same way 
as Europeans bleed. 
Fractures of the extremities are treated with 
splints and bandages, as in Europe. Venereal ulcers 
are sprinkled with alkaline wood ashes, the astrin- 
gent liquid of the nettle bark, or a macerated pre- 
paration from a particular kind of broad-leaved 
grass. Superficial wounds are left to themselves, 
and usually heal without much trouble. Malfor- 
mations of the body are attributed to the influence 
of the stars, caused by the mother eating forbidden 
food during pregnancy, or if occurring after birth it 
is still caused by the stars, in consequence of forbid- 
den food being eaten. The teeth of the native are 
generally regular and very beautiful, indeed, in their 
natural state, I have never seen a single instance of 
decayed teeth, among them. Among those, how- 
ever, who have been living near Europeans for some 
years past, and whose habits and diet have been 
changed from simple to more artificial ones, a great 
alteration is taking place in this respect, and symp- 
