DISEASES. 197 of slight avail, and, during the rainy season more especially, all endeavoui-s to arrest its progress are in vain. The disorder assumes a very obstinate character in this country ; for though cured in the dry season, it generally presents itself again at the period of the rain,—a circumstance very easily explained, if we consider that the cure, what with their inacquaintance with the nature of the disease, and defective treatment, is generally palliative, or temporary, and never radical ; hence many of these patients remain cripples for life. They mostly employ in the treatment an earth, named traiba,* which has a purgative action. The lavements are administered in the following manner :—They take the thighbone of a fowl, and clearing away the marrow, fasten it to a portion of the intestines of a sheep, into which they pour a decoction of garra,f and then insert the pipe into the anus, compressing the gut until the whole of the contents pass into the abdomen. If to the want of medical men, and scarcity of remedies, we add the state of uncleanliness in which these people live, we may form some slight idea of the sufferings they endure in sickness. It is, in fact, impossible to form a conception of the misery to be met vrith in their hovels, which are somctinios crowded with patients; nursing and • This earth is found near Shendy, and is said to be met with in several places on the White Nile also.

t It resembles the tomato in shape and size, grows in a similar manner, and has a very unpleasant taste.