MEDICAL ADVICE. 85 looked most mournful; the tops and upper branches were withered, without foliage, and not seldom Avere the under ones in the same state.

Much to our vexation, we learned that Mohammed Din had gone with fifty Schaigies, to a camp of his nephew, Sheik Mussa, some two hours and a half further distant ; and his absence was all the more annoying to us, as it nullified our purpose of alighting at his tent, partly to gain a better knowledge of this far-famed man in his own household, and of the manners and habits of his tribe, and partly to fill our empty and craving stomachs. His absence, therefore, caused us to dismount at the entrance to the village, at the hut of Jusbaschi (Captain) Sali Effendi, where he and the liquorloving Sheik Ali were making very slow progress in arranging and collecting the tribute. We had intended remaining with them till four o'clock r.yi., when the worst part of the day's heat would have been over ; but we soon perceived remaining here was out of the question, as the small hut afforded no protection from the sun, and was constantly ci'owded with Arabs deliverino" cattle, who never ceased wrangling and disputing among themselves, as well as with the tribute-gatherers. We therefore resolved, in spite of the sun, to push on and reach the village of Mitkenab, two hours and a half distant. Another reason, too, urged us to move, viz., to regain our liberty ; for hardly had we dismounted at El Soffre, when my brother was recognised by some Arabs as a Hakem, and was instantly mobbed by real and fancied sick in such numbers, that ere long we had half the village round us, demanding medicines and medical advice, and both gratis. Great patience is required here by any one acting the part of Doctor, as all directions must be repeated over and over again, and al"ter all, it is more than probable, these are neither understood nor followed, and the parties return again and again to ask questions, and torment the prescriber. The people here not understanding us, an Arabian interpreter was necessary, and this made matters worse, as he could not convey medical directions. Here, too, a sick man never comes alone, but ever accompanied by six or eight relations or friends, every one of whom must interfere, and give his opinion as to the illness, and, as may be easily imagined, all this severely taxes the medical man's patience and temper. All Arabs and Turks G 3