202 
ON ERYTHROPHLEUM JUDICIA.LE. 
mixed in a large brass-panful of water, and is stirred quickly with 
a kind of whisk, until covered with a froth like a lather of soap. 
A variety of ceremonies and prayers are performed at the same 
time, and the accused is repeatedly and solemnly desired to confess 
the crime with which he has been charged. A little before he be- 
gins to drink the infusion, he is obliged to wash his mouth and spit 
the water out to show that he has nothing concealed in it ; a little 
rice or piece of kola is then given him to eat, being the only sub- 
stance he is allowed to take for twelve hours previous to the trial; 
and in order to prevent his obtaining anything else, he is narrowly 
watched by a number of people, who are responsible for his con- 
duct. After having repeated a prayer dictated to him, which con- 
tains an imprecation upon himself if he be guilty, the red water is 
administered to him in a calabash capable of holding about half a 
pint, which he empties eight, ten, or a dozen times successively as 
quick as it can be filled. It probably now begins to exert its emetic 
powers, but he must, notwithstanding, persist in drinking, until the 
rice or kola be brought up, which is easily seen upon the plan- 
tain leaves spread below. Should vomiting not be caused, and the 
medicine produce purgative effects, the person is condemned im- 
mediately; or if it be suspected that the whole of what he has 
eaten is not brought up he is permitted to retire, but with this re- 
serve, that if the medicine produce no effect on his bowels until 
next day at the same hour, he is then and not before pronounced 
innocent, otherwise he is pronounced guilty. When the red water 
proves purgative, it is termed 4 spoiling the red water.' The ut- 
most quantity which may be swallowed is sixteen caiabashfuls ; 
if these have not the desired effect, the prisoner is not allowed to 
ta've any more. When neither vomiting or purging are produced, 
the red water causes violent pains in the bowels, which are con- 
sidered as marks of guilt. In such cases they endeavor to recover 
the patient by exciting vomiting, and to sheath the acrimony of 
the red water they give him raw eggs to swallow. In some in- 
stances, the person has died after drinking the fourth calabash. 
" When the accused is permitted to leave the tripod upon 
which he is seated, he is ordered to move his arms and legs to 
show that he has not lost the use of them. When he dies upon 
the spot, which frequently happens, or when the red water is 
spoiled, and the party is too old to sell, one of his family, unless 
he can redeem himself wilh a slave, is taken and sold." 
