MEDICIXE. 9 often turned away, or kept waiting for a long time, before it was liis pleasure to see me. I felt that this must not be allowed to continue, that I could not treat the king properly unless I had access to him at all times ; so I rebelled against this piractice, and on two or three occasions, when kept waiting, returned home without seeing Mtesa. In the end I carried my point, and was permitted to visit the king whenever it was requisite. This of course met with considerable opposition from the chiefs, who were greatly aggrieved at a rule, which was always strictly enforced in their own case, being relaxed in favour of a European. There were other difficulties with which I had to contend, chief among which was his want of obedience to my instructions. With regard to outward applications, bandages, etc., he was exceedingly careful, doing exactly what he was told ; but far otherwise was it with his medicines. The Arabs and the chiefs were constantly telling him that I intended to poison him ; the result was that he was most irregular in taking the draughts I prepared for him. Natives can understand outward treatment ; but inward applications are mysteries to them, and this ignorance can only be overcome by experience. However, in course of time, he placed less reliance on his chiefs, and was far more regular in taking his medicine.

In fact, toward the end of my stay, he would not let the chiefs and pages drink so much physic. On