HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
223 
than perhaps in any other nation of Europe, and where the 
room for baths is filled with steam by pouring water on a 
heated stone; it differs scarcely less from the rude and 
simple mode adopted by the South Sea Islanders, who fix 
the patient in a sort of open-bottomed chair, and place 
him in that position over a pile of stones heated red-hot, 
but covered with herbs and grass saturated with water. 
The Malagasy seat the patient over a large earthen or 
other pan containing water, spreading over him several 
large native cloths, and then produce the quantity of steam 
required by casting pieces of iron, or stones heated red-hot, 
into the water. 
Cold-bathing is occasionally resorted to as a means of 
cleanliness, or for the sake of its refreshing effect in a state 
of exhaustion and fatigue, but not with a view to its improv¬ 
ing or preserving the general health. The natives do not 
appear to have recourse to friction in cases of local disease, 
but resort to a practice resembling shampooing, as this is 
employed in the East, and among the South-Sea Islands, viz. 
pressing the muscles of the limbs with the hand, and 
pulling the joints during the incipient stages of disease, or 
at times of debility from fatigue. 
Native medicines, in great numbers and variety, are to be 
bought in the markets. The mpanao ody, “makers of 
charms, 5 '' are the preparers and venders of medicines. The 
nostrums are brought either ready for use, or so mixed up 
with herbs, barks, and gums as to prevent the uninitiated 
from discovering of what they really consist. This arises 
from the anxiety of the respective venders to preserve to 
themselves the exclusive advantage arising from the ex¬ 
tensive use of medicine that may by accident become 
popular, and be regarded as a specific in any particular 
disease. Hence also, though each nostrum is designated 
