MEDICAL NOTES. Si) ‘appeared, bringing towards me in their midst a very grotesque figure. Its body was decked with bunches of green leaves, upon its head was placed a wreath of straw, the blades of which stood upright, and its legs and arms were encased in green leaves; and thus decked out this new performer was led up and down by a rope tied round his neck amidst universal “holloas.” Then he began to dance, the time being kept by the hand-clapping of the spectators. Shaking and trembling movements of the body, the feet being fixed, alternated with hopping round upon one leg and deep obeisances; until at length, completely mastered by fatigue, he closed his entertainment with the usual pantomimic thanks.

Many of these people have large white patches upon their. hands, caused by a loss of pigment, and possibly connected with syphilis. I had the opportunity of seeing the same affection many times in Uganda last year. The skin over the parts affected shows no signs of altered texture, nor is any palpable difference to be felt; women often suffer from it. It is a curious fact that from about 3° N. lat. to the equator the Filaria medinensis or guinea-worm appears to be entirely unknown, whereas farther to the north it is one of the most frequent diseases. ‘The same causes which apparently give rise to the disease in these latitudes are far more potent here, but it is true that some negro tribes appear excessively predisposed to it, whereas others are almost entirely free.

Notwithstanding that since midnight it had poured in torrents, we commenced our march early in the morning, heartily glad to escape the indescribable plague of gnats; and, as if to reward us for our exertions, the sky became gradually clear, at least clear enough to permit us to enjoy a comfortable march. Laughing and singing, the men hurriedly advanced, for that day Mréko’s headquarters were to be reached. The porters actually danced along, often raising with both hands their loads high above their heads, singing in chorus, accompanied by horns and flutes playing, and interspersed with loud cries and calls, Mréko’s big drum breaking in now and then with its droning tones—a striking if inharmonious concert.

Forward, through deeply undulating park land, broken up by _many swampy patches, we advanced almost at a trot. At C