126 CONDITION OF APOTHECARIES IN AFRICA. 
stands a little table, on which is a small standing pair of 
scales, with some small hand-scales hanging up. There 
are also some Argellecles, or Turkey tobacco-pipes, with 
elastic tubes, for the Hekims or Serahs, who come there 
either to wait for their patients or pass their time in chat- 
ting and smoking. They generally come very early, and 
spend almost the whole day in the shop, sitting cross-leg- 
ged. As weights, grains of sesamum, or of wheat, and 
date-stones, are used. The arrival of a patient often serves 
as a bone of contention and quarrel among the Serahs, each 
of whom tries to obtain the custom of the patient, who not 
unfrequently selects him who offers to undertake the cure 
for the smallest sum. The fee is a quarter of a ducat for a 
consultation and prescription at the Speziaria ; but when 
the Hekim goes to the house of the patient, he receives, in 
the case of a wealthy man, from three to five or ten gold 
pieces, which a servant presses into his hand. The Spe- 
ziaris, or Apothecary, who has an understanding with the 
Hekim, charges not much less for the medicine. If the 
disease requires longer attendance, a contract is made be- 
tween the physician and patient at the first visit for attend- 
ance and medicine ; and half of the sum agreed on is paid 
down immediately, while the other half remains until the 
cure is completed. In chronic diseases, some thousands of 
piasters are asked. An Arab assured the writer of this, 
that he had to pay 8000 (?) piasters for being cured of jaun- 
dice, besides the medicines, which, being prepared of gold, 
cost him 5000 (?) piasters more. If the patient dies, the 
Physician obtains nothing more, but must be content with 
what he received in advance. In cases where a patient 
has been cured of a very dangerous illness, the Hekim re- 
ceives, besides his fee, additional presents, consisting of 
costly confectionaries, tobacco-pipes with amber mouth- 
pieces, aloe-wood, horses with beautifully and richly orna- 
mented trappings, &c. &c. In particular cases, and in the 
night, a horse is sent with from five to ten servants to fetch 
