GENERAL ROUTINE WORK 55 encountered, but the yellow or white fungus is also to be seen. The pink variety has not come under my notice. The foot is the part principally affected, but the inguinal glands are often involved, pointing to a spread by the lymphatics They may break down in the centre, and become what is practically a cyst with pigmented walls. The ankle- and knee-joints may become involved and disin¬ tegrated. The Laboratories’ Museum possesses a fine specimen of mycetoma of the hand a case of twenty years’ duration in a Nile boatman, aged 65. The source of infection of the disease is unknown. It is worth noting that the Northern Sudan is largely a country of thorn bush.

Jigger.—I have no information as to this pest. Insect Bites.—Those of sand-flies and owl-midges are often more severe and irritating than those of mosquitoes. Colonel Talbot has recently sent a new and very vicious species of Simulium from Abu-Hamed.

Tick Fever probably exists in the Bahr-El-Ghazal. It is not seen in Khartoum or Omdurman, nor are ticks a nuisance in these places save to cattle and sheep.

Snake Bites.—Rare, considering the large number of poisonous snakes in the country. On the Sobat there is a viperine snake which protects itself by spitting in one’s eyes. The venom is very acid, and dries up into small white crusts when ejected on a glass surface.

Leeches (Alak).—Common in the swamps of the Southern Sudan. I have found them clinging in dozens to the under surface of a crocodile, and they have been discovered within the beak of a whale-headed stork (Balinceceps rex). Those on the crocodile, when dislodged, fastened at once on the feet of the Egyptian who was skinning the reptile.

Eye Troubles.—I cannot say much about these. Cataract and corneal ulcer both occur. I have a specimen of Staphyloma sent by Dr. Christopherson. The Sudanese, as malingerers, sometimes put the milky juice obtained from the “ Ushar ” plant, Calotropis procera, into their eyes, in order to produce inflammation. I have seen women collecting this juice; but whether they employ it to destroy female infants, a use to which it is said to be put in India, I cannot tell. There is much blindness—the result of small-pox.

A PPENDIX (1) Epidemics Small-pox (Gidri).—Is said to be endemic, and occurs in epidemics. May cause many deaths if unchecked. There was a small epidemic in Omdurman last year. A good many of the cases were confluent and severe. The natives recognise and appreciate the benefits conferred by vaccination.

Cholera (ShotaJ.—Has reached Wady Haifa. Will probably visit the Sudan from Egypt. The completion of the Berber-Suakin Railway may be of grave significance as regards both cholera and plague.

Enteric Fever.—Natives apparently unaffected. The disease is rare.