224 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
by a particular name, and the disease for which, if the 
venders are to be believed, it is an infallible remedy, are 
distinctly stated, with an enumeration of its virtues almost 
equal to the puffing of quack-medicines in more civilized 
countries, its composition is kept a profound secret as long 
as possible. 
Besides the remedies applied when disease is actually 
present, the Malagasy have what they consider as pre¬ 
servative medicines, which are taken with a view of fortify¬ 
ing the system against any pestilential atmosphere through 
which they may be called to travel, and are always taken 
as a precautionary measure when they are going to any of 
the districts in which the fever prevails. 
The chief and only sources whence relief or preservation 
is expected, are from the infallibility of their sikidy, or divi¬ 
nation, and the efficacy of the faditra, or offering, to remove 
the evil, or cause of suffering, as they suppose every malady 
to be a judicial infliction by the god or gods whom they 
have offended, or the effects of the spells and incantations 
of sorcery employed by some malevolent enemy to procure 
their destruction. Surrendering themselves, under this 
impression, to the guidance of their diviners, they dispense 
with the application of any medicinal remedy, and confi¬ 
dently expect a pain in the head or the face, or any affec¬ 
tion of that part of the body, to be removed by simply 
wearing an amulet of stone or wood on the forehead, or a 
charm on the breast suspended from a string of beads 
around the neck. 
Their preservation from pain and disease, though they 
use the medicine prescribed, they also ascribe to their 
imaginary gods. Ramahavaly, the great national idol of the 
Hovas, is their Esculapius, and, among other appellations, 
is addressed as “ The Doctor,” or curer of diseases. When 
