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P6GKET.--:B0:OK.
FIFTH EDITION.
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
r<'-
|t'
2-- THE
WEST AFRICAN POCKET BOOK.//
A GUIDE FOR
NEWLY=APPOINTED GOVERNMENT OFFICERS
Compiled by direction of the Secretary of State
for the Colonies.
FIFTH EDITION.
November, 1920.
Price 2/- Net.
PUBLISHED HY
THE CROWN AGENTS FOR THE COLONIES, 4, MILLBANK, S.W. i.
1930,
WAir.BF.ow i; Sons Limitkl', LoNuny Wall, Loxdox.
CONTENTS.
G75v
I.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7,
8.
9.
10.
PAGE
General notes on West Africa 5
Outfit and preparations in England
7
Voyage out and arrival in West Africa
9
Mosquitoes and Disease .
12
Personal hygiene ....
22
Care of quarters
. 27
Food and drink ....
29
Travelling and bush life .
33
Work and amusement
37
The return to England
40
APPENDICES:
a. Details of outfit. Clothes, camp kit, medicines,
provisions 42
h. Furniture 51
''. Uniform 53
d. Cooking recipes 56
e. Diseases and accidents . . . . .60
/. Tables of temperature and rainfall . . .70
ILLUSTRATIONS :
European House
Mosquitoes
Bad site of European House
Mosquito net and camp bed
Scenes in Nigeria
Olotiina I'alpalit
OPPOSITK PAOK
. 15
16 & 17
. 23
. 25
. 34
. 65
I A
At »^y^i^ r'r^^*y
Corrections and suggesUoiis fur the improvement
of this booh will be welcome at any time, and
nin,y be sent direct to the Colonial Office.
It is hoped that Officers of local experience
will fully avail themselves of this opportwnity
of being of service to new ami ine.vperiencecl
brother officers.
s
GENERAL NOTES ON WEST AFRICA.
The British possessions in West Airica are the
Grambia, Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast (inchiding
Ashauti and the Northern Territories), and Nigeria
(Northern Provinces and Southern Provinces). Portions
of the ex- German Colonies of Togoland and the
Cameroons are at present administered by officers
seconded from the Gold Coast and Nigeria respectively.
The Gambia is a strip of territory on the banks of
the river of that name, about 4,000 square miles
in area, with a popidation of about 200,000. Sierra
Leone is as large as Scotland, with a population of
about one and a half millions. The Gold Coast, with
Ashanli and the Northern Territories, is nearly equal
in area to England and Scotland, and has a population
roughly estimated at two millions. The area of
Nigeria is more than five times the size of England
and Scotland. Its population is about seventeen
milHons.
The number of European officials in each is
approximately as follows : —
Gambia ... ... ... ... 40
Sierra Leone —
European Colonial officials 250 ) o.j ,
Officers in the Garrison ... 80 j '
Gold Coast 700
Nigeria 1,750
All these possessions lie within the tropics. wing-
to their great extent much variation of climate is met
with, but considerable heat is general, as, except in
the Northern Provinces of Nigeria, there are no very
elevated tracts, and on the coast and near it the
climate is also very moist. The climate should be
6
regarded with at least as much respect as would "be
given to tliat of the lees developed parts of India, and
officers should etudj how life may be made comfort-
able and healthy under the conditions they are likely
to meet with. The general standard of comfort
attained by Europeans in West Africa, if not equal
to that reached in India, is improving, and individuals
can do much to raise it if they will take the necessary
trouble.
The seasons of the year are divided into the wet
and the dry, and there is no cold season, except in
some of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria and the
northerly districts of the Gold Coast. In Sierra Leone
the dry season lasts from November to April or May.
In the Gambia the dry season extends from about the
middle of October to about the end of June. The
atmosphere is, however, moist as a rule in October,
November, May and June, and therefore very trying
to white people. In the Gold Coast the dry season
lasts from December to March, and is followed by
tornadoes in April and May. The rainy season lasts
from June to November, usually with a break in
August and September. In Nigeria the seasons are
similar to those on the Gold Coast ; but there is a
marked difference in humidity between settlements on
the coast, such as Lagos, Warri, and (klabar, and
inland stations such as Oyo, Ifon, Udi, and Okigwi.
In the Northern Provinces of Nigeria the dry season
is cooler and at times cold.
The Harmattan, a dry, dusty wind, blows from the
Sahara during the dry season.
OUTFIT AND PREPARATIONS IN ENGLAND.
The liealth and comfort of an officer largely depend
on his taking out from England a satisfactory kit,
which need not however be a large one. Details of the
various articles requu-ed will be found in Appendix A,
but it may be repeated here that no one should fail to
take out an efficient mosquito net, a pair of well-
made comfortable mosquito boots, a tropical eun hat, a
white umbrella (or a black one with a white cover), and
some quinine. All officers in Nigeria and all others
who are at all Kkely to have to travel by laud will
require to take camp outfit, except tents, which will
be supplied by the Government when required. Such
officers should remember that 50 lbs., or at most 60 lbs.,
is the heaviest load that can be borne by one cai'rier,
ami that every thing must be bought and packed
subject to this consideration. Accordingly they will
do well to limit their baggage to the smallest possible
compass and to the lightest possible weiglit. Those to
whom economy is an object should beware of buying
everything which the outfitter suggests as necessary, but,
on the other hand, nothing is saved by omitting essential
articles which will have to be bought later in West
Africa, probably at higher prices.
Table crockery and cutlery, table linen, pots and
pans and kitchen cloths, are required, and bed-clothes
must always bo taken out. A cam]) bed is necessary
lor all officers who have to travel.
Kitchen utensils should be packed separately from
other articles, and so as to be available for service at
onoe, if necessary, when landing in West Africa.
8
It is decidedly economical and often necessary to
take out some provisions. At Freetown, Sierra
Leone, it used to be possible to obtain provisions
cheaply at the large stores, but provisions, crockery and
cooking utensils are at present difficult to obtain there,
and ofticers would be well-advised to take out a supply
from England.
All officers proceeding to Nigeria should, if possible,
take out a stock of the more essential provisions
sufficient for 12 months. These can easily be disposed
of if not required, and much inconvenience in very many
instances is avoided by having them. One case should
be specially packed with all that will be required for one
week. Officers should stipulate to their agents that all
provisions must be specially put up and packed for the
tropics.
An officer should provide himself with a list of his
packages, on a card or strong piece of paper, and a list
of the contents of eacli package, which should be
numbered on the outside for the purpose of identification.
9
VOYAGE OUT AND ARRIVAL IN WEST AFRICA.
Nevep be parted from your Mosquito Net.
The systematic use of quinine should he commenced
the daj hefore touching the West African coast, and
kept up during residence in West Africa and for at
least six months after return to Europe, unless an
officer is medically advised to do otherwise. luahility
to take quinine should he regarded as an absolute bar to
residence in tropical x^frica.
The systematic use of quinine may he followed in
whichever of the four foUowing ways may best suit
the individual : —
1 . Five grains every day (recommended).
2. Ten grains on Hundays and Wednesdays.
3. Fifteen grains on the 10th and Uth, 20th
and 21st, and 30th and -ilst (or last two)
days in each montli. The fifteen grains
may be divided into three five-grain
doses, each of which may folloAv one of
the main meals of the day.
4. Ten grains on two consecutive days weekly,
by preference Saturdays and iSundays.
Most people find that the best time to take the
five-grain doses is just before the "big" breakfast or
lunch. When the larger doses are adopted it is best to
take them after dinner, so that the buzzing in the ears
and deafness which are likely to follow may occur
during sleep and rest, and not during the day, when
they might prove troublesome. Quinine " tabloids "
are commonly used, and it should bo ascertained by
experiment that such tabloids are capable of breaking
10
up easily and dissolving when placed in water. Any-
one who finds that the quinine disagrees with him
should consult a Medical Officer. If the daily dose
of quinine is taken in solution it prevents the symptoms
of dyspepsia, which are often brought on by taking of
quinine in tabloid form.
A helmet should he worn during landing ; and if the
rains are on, it is necessary to have accessible a
waterproof, an umbrella, and strong boots. By
consulting the rainfall tables in Appendix F, the kind
of weather to be expected on landing can be gauged
with fair accuracy.
Officers proceeding to Nigeria receive orders regarding
their station on the arrival of the steamer at one of the
ports on the Gold Coast. They should be in readiness
to disembark at the port mentioned in these orders.
There are five ports for disembarkation in Nigeria,
Yiz. : Lagos, Forcados, Bonny, Port Harcourt, and
Calabar.
Officers proceeding to the Northern Provinces of
Nigeria vnll find it advantageous to engage at least one
servant, a cook or a steward, on arrival at Lagos, where
there are usually many applicants available, amongst
whom are many who have served with various masters
in the Northern Provinces and have some knowledge
of Hausa. A new comer should engage both. At
Lagos, officers for the Northern Province will join the
special mail train to the North proceeding via Jebba.
In a few cases they may be sent on to Forcados and
will there join a river steamer for the journey of
several days' duration up the Niger to Lokoja. Final
instructions as to destination will usually be received
on the arrival of the ocean steamer at Accra.
In the Grold Coast, newly appointed officers will be
met, as a rule, on landing, by an officer of the depart-
ment to which they belong who will give them the
11
necessary information as to their quarters and instruc-
tion as to procedure. Where no otficer is available to
meet them instructions will he delivered to them on
the steamer or on landing.
All officers are required to report themselves to the
Head of their department and to the Colonial Secretary
as soon as possible after landing at Accra, and to the
Provincial Commissioner on landing at other stations.
In the Grambia, newly appointed officers A\dll be
met on arrival at Bathurst, and will be informed as
to the quarters allotted to them and to whom they
should report themselves. In Sierra Leone full
directions as to landing, passing the Customs, etc.,
will be handed to officers on board the steamer on
arrival. Officers will also be informed of the accom-
modation provided for them, and will be instructed to
whom they should report themselves.
12
MOSQUITOES AND DISEASE.
"Form the Anti-Mosquito Habit."
Only precautionary measures are dealt with under
this head. Directions for the treatment of malarial
fever, when no doctor is available, will be found in
Appendix E.
Malarial fever is a disease caused by the bite of a
particular kind of mosquito {Anopheles), when the
individual mosquito that bites is itself infected by
the disease. The bite of a non-infected Anopheles
cannot cause malaria. Only the females bite.
This disease has been subjected to a great amount of
scientific investigation during the last few years, and
has become associated particularly with the names of
Sir Patrick Manson, (I.O.M.G., M.D., F.R.8., and
Sir Ronald Ross, K.C.B., F.R.S.
The former had sliown that certain mosquitoes carried
the germ of another disease.* From this and from what
was already known concerning malaria he was led to
suspect that malaria might be transmitted by mosquitoes.
Sir Ronald Ross, after examining various mosquitoes in
order to test this supposition, was able to show that
there was great probability of its being correct.
Sir Patrick Manson then clinched the matter by two
experiments described by him as follows : —
" Finally, on behalf of the Colonial Office and the
" London School of Tropical Medicine, with the
" assistance of Dr. Sambon and Dr. Low, I insti-
" tuted two experiments which dispose for good
'* and all of any objections that otherwise might
*' have been advanced against the theory. Dr.
" Sambon and Dr. Low, Signer Terzi, their servants
* Filariasi* (minute worms in th« blood.)
13
"and visitors lived for the three most malarial
" mouths of 1900 in one of the most malarial
" localities of the Roman Campagna, Ostia, in a
** hut from which mosquitoes were excluded by a
" simple arrangement of wire gauze on the doors
" and windows. They moved freely about in the
" neighbourhood during the day, exposed them-
" selves in all weathers, drank the water of tlie
" place, often did hard manual work, and beyond
" retiring from sunset to sunrise to their mosquito-
*' protected hut, took no precautions whatever
" against malaria. They took no quinine.
" Although their neighbom-s, the Itahan peasants,
" were each and all of them attacked with malaria,
" the dwellers in the mosquito-proof hut enjoyed an
" absolute immunity from the disease. Whilst
** the experiment was in progress mosquitoes, f^'d
** in Homo o>i pdfienf.s ^'uffe ring from ))ialari(f, Avere
" forwarded in suitable cages to the London Scrhool
" of Tropical Medicine, and on tlieir arrival were
" set to bite my son, Dr. P. Thurburn Manson,
" and Mr. Greorge Warren. Shortly afterwards
" both of these gentlemen, neither of whom had
" been abroad (^r otherwise exposed to malarial in-
" fluences, developed characteristic malarial fever,
" and malarial parasites were found in abundance
" in their blood both at that time and on the occur-
" rence of several relapses of malarial fever from
" which they subsequently Buffered.
" The Mosquito-Malaiia theorj' has now, there-
" fore, passed from the region of conjecture to that
" of fact."
These two experiments satisfied the medical world,
and, since they were performed, a mass of information
has been acquired which confirms them again and
again.
14
Some men, through the accidents of a constitution
exceptionally suitable to West Africa, and a certain
amouut of good luck, have succeeded in remaining
many years on the Coast, and have come, and rightly
80, by virtue of the work which they have done, into
senior positions. Having passed through the ordeal of
living on the (Joast under the adverse circumstances of
fifteen or eighteen years ago, they are often, and not
unnaturally, unable fully to appreciate the necessity of
precautions against malaria for the great majority of
Europeans in West Africa. The prejudice is dying
out, but a new-comer to West Africa must still be pre-
pared" to meet men who have no belief in the discoveries
and experiments above mentioned, and he is warned
not to allow their influence to dissuade him from taking
essential precautions.
The chief of these are : —
1. Always carefully to use a good large
mosquito net kept in thorough repair.
■•i. The use of mosquito hoots every
evening after dusk until retiring.
3. Take quinine systematically.
4. Destroy mosquitoes and clear away
their hreeding places round the house as
far as possible.
Further details as to these precautions will be found
under other heads of this pamphlet.
A mosquito has the same kind of life history as a
silk-worm or butterfly. A female mosquito will lay
about 250 eggs or more at a time on or close to water.
In a day or two, there comes out of each egg a small
creature (the larva) which ST^dms about in the water eating
minute plants, &c., and comes to the surface of the
water to breathe. This stage corresponds to the silk-
worm or caterpillar. In about a fortnight the larvn
15
tiims into a shrimp-like oreatiire, which moves with
great rapidity through the water by means of its ciu'ved
thin tail-portion, and which breathes by coming to the
surface of the water as tlie larva did. This shrimp-h'ke
creature is the ]iupa, and corresponds to the chrysalis
stage of the silk- worm or butterfly. From tlie pupa,
in the course of a few days, the imago or mature
insect — the mosquito — emerges.
There are several kinds of mosquito which tliifer from
one another in appearance and habits. Although only
one kind carries malaria, it is well to wage ^vav a.gainst
all mosquitoes, because nearly all can cany some
disease or other.
Two tribes of niosquito are especially common in
West Africa, the Culex, which is the kind most
fre<iuently seen and heard, and the Anopheles, which
can carry the malaria germ. See the illustrations
opposite page JO.
The differences between these two are as follows : —
f'ffS^
I'upii.
Imayii.
AvophelcH.
Lying flat and scattered
on water, almost always
in uiitural pools.
Lying fldt whon at th(
surface of water.
Cnlex.
Floating vertically in -a mass
on water anywliere, in uat^r
tanks, cups, <Srr., as well as
natural pools.
ITanginj,' down at an angle from
the surface of water.
Similar in both spcciex.
Has tail end pointing in
air when resting on fl.-it
Hiirface, makes little or
no Honnd when flvincr.
Has (ail ond paralhJ to surface
it rests iin, "sings" when
flying.
16
In the males, the antennae (or " feelers ") are bushy
in both kinds. In the females, two small processes, one
on each side of the proboscis, called the palps, are short
in Cnlex and long in Anopheles. The Anopheles of West
Africa has short dark bars on the front edges of the
wings ; the Culex has no special markings on the wings.
There is another familj^ of mosquitoes, Stegomyia,
the members of which will be easily distinguished by
their general appearance (see illustration). They are
striped black and white, and suggest a football costume.
This is the mosquito which can transfer yellow fever
from the sick to the healthy.
Its resting position is like that of Culex and
its habits are very much the same, as it is a
" domestic mosquito," that is to say, it commonly
inhabits the interior of houses and other buildings. Its
larva and pupa are very like those of Culex and are to
be found in almost every collection of stagnant water
round a house, such as an unprotected water tank, or
in a sunken rain gutter at the edge of the roof, or in
old tins and other receptacles left lying in or near the
house.
In some towns the Stegornyia is more common than
any other variety, and, as yellow fever has occurred in
parts of West Africa, every effort should be made to
destroy this mosquito and prevent its breeding.
Everyone going to West Africa should make it his
business to learn how to distinguish between Anopheles,
Culex, and Stegomyia, and how to find and destroy
them and their larv£e.
The importance of making war on all mosquitoes
cannot be too strongly emphasised. From the life
history of the mosquito, abeady described, it will be
seen that the insect can be most easily attacked in its
CULEX (FEMALE)
ANOPHELES femalei
MOSQUITOES.
PUPA OF EITHER SPECIES ON RIGHT
WHICH HAS EMERGED FROM SKIN OF
LARVA, ON LEFT
CULEX.. ON LEFT. AND ANOPHELES on right.
LARV-C IN WATER.
/// thff fUm/rnmt arr Ihrif Hm»t thr nntiinil (izc.l
STEGOMYIA AND LARVA.
[These tvio diafframi' are approxiniateli/ six times their natural size,']
SCENES IN NIGERIA.
^ '< "P
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ter:
THE NIGER AT JEBBA.
SIR JAMES WILLCOCKS AND GENERAL KEMBALL STARTING FOR
A JOURNEY IN CANOES
CAMP LIFE UP COUNTRY.
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17
water stage. This can he done by permitting as
little standing water as possible round dwelling-
houses.
Any small pools that cannot be drained or filled in
shoTild have a little cheap, thin oil (kerosene will do)
ponred on their surfaces once a week. The oil makes
it difficult for the mosquito to cling- to the surface of
the water, and it also gets into the insect's breathing
apparatus and chokes it.
Water tanks and the like must be carefully looked
after, and careful and constant examination of the
water made for larvse ("wrigglers"). Wooden lids
warp and shrink in the tropical sun, so do not fit
Bufficientl}'- closely to prevent mosquitoes from entering
an i breeding, but over the lids it is easy to fit canvas
bags filled with sand, and this will be found to be one
of the best ways of closing the apertures round the
badly fitting lid of an iron tank. Water barrels should
have a sheet of canvas placed over the top and fastened
to the staves by short nails. The pipes and holes which
enter the tank, for the purpose of letting water in or
out, must be carefully attended to and sealed with wire
gauze, or other means which will prevent mosquitoes
from entering. The water contained should be freely
" kerosened " on its surface weekly ; this has absolutely
no effect on the taste of the water (which is drawn off
by a tap from below), and is the best way of killing
off larvj© which may be present in the tank, and of
preventing further breeding.
The edges of any river, small stream, or ditch, near a
house must be carefully cut and trimmed so as to pre-
vent the formation of little staguant pools and back
waters iu which Anophclen would readily breed.
All gutters should bo kept clear of grass and weeds,
as it is found that Auop/irlea shelters among them. All
18
gutters attached to the eaves of houses are liable to
sag and choke v^'ith ioreigu matter and so hold water ;
hence they are prolific sources of mosquito breeding.
Eoof gutters should be cleaned out systematically twice
a week, and sagging gutters should be attended to so
that they drain freely.
It is astonishing how soon a mosquito, especially
Culex or Stegomi/ia, makes use of any water it may
find to breed in. It is usually necessary to stand each
leg of a meat safe or table, on which jam, sugar, and
the like are kept, in small tins of liquid in order to
prevent ants fi"om eating the food, &c. CkIcj: always
breeds in these tins if water is used, unless the
water is completely changed once a week, or unless
vinegar or something acting similarly is added to it,
so it is preferable to fill such tins with kerosene instead
of water. Again, Culex will breed in the small cups of
water used to keep a wet bulb thermometer moist, or
in a water jug left in quarters which have been vacated
for a shoi-t time, or in a water cooler which is not regu-
larly emptied. An officer may go into the bush
travelling for a fortnight or more, and when he comes
back, if the water jug has not been emptied, he will
often find his rooms full of mosquitoes.
It is, however, the Anopheles mosquito which is the
more serious danger. There are two species which are
common in West Africa, one brown, the other black-
looking, and both of these, as abeady mentioned, usually
breed only in pools of water which form -naturally.
Collections of water in manufactured vessels can, how-
ever, after a time take on the peculiarities of natural
pools, e.g., if a new canoe gets some water in it after a
shower of rain. Anopheles will not, as a rule, breed in
this, although Culex vnR ; but in the case of an old
canoe, or a new one which has been left "by its owner
in one place for a couple of months, moss, grass, &c..
19
accumulate round the sides of the contained water, and
for all practical purposes the cauoe forms a natural
pool in which Anojj/ie/es will breed. They will also
breed in the big wooden mortar in which natives beat
up and mix their food, if this article is left for two or
three weeks where water can get into it; and in a
country where m.ost iournevs are made on foot it is no
uncommon thing for a canoe or a house to be left
uncared for during two months or more.
In the case of bamboo cut midway between two
joints and stuck vertically into the ground to make
railings or fences, the top of the stick forms a little
cup and will hold water in which Anojjhtkn will breed.
It might be thought that such a small collection of
water would dry up quickly ; but, in the rains, grass and
other vegetation are apt to grow up sufficiently high to
protect the top of the fence fi'om the sun, and also from
heavy downpours of rain whiich would wash out the
larvee.
These are only a few examples of how water can
ooUect and in time become a breeding place for
mosquitoes. Everyone v/ho looks about carefully will
find many others. A large leaf which in the dry season
has had its edges curled up, like leaves in autumn in
England, may be so lying when a shower of rain comes
as to collect water and form a pool and mosquitoes have
often been foimd breeding in such a pool.
Puddles, if exposed, may be dried up by the direct
rays of the sun or washed out by a heavy downpour
of rain, or the concussion of the drops of rain on the
surface may seriously damage the larvae, although
these creatui'os can defy both sun and rain for a time
by living in the mud at the bottom of a pool.
It is not, however, exposed pools tliat are the difficulty.
They can be seen, and it is only gross folly not to deal
2a
20
with them. The difficulty is in finding out-of-the-way
collections of water near fences, forks or roots of ti-ees,
and old drains, Avhich often have long grass round them.
Accordingly all grass and vegetation should be kept cut
close to the ground for sixty yards, or, better, a hundred
yards, round a European dwelling. A few ornamental
plants and shade trees may be excepted if puddles are not
allowed to form beneath them. Many plants have
natural cups holding water, and many trees, particularlj'-
when old, have hollows in which water lies ; both are
dangerous, because mosquitoes are able to develop in
the small collections of water.
Instructions similar to the above have been given
and are well known in all West African stations.
By their close observance an enormous amount is
gained not only as regards health but also in comfort ;
but it is not unusual to find that they have not been
carried out.
On Bunny days the doors and windows should be
opened. On dull days Culex, if breeding near, is liable
to get in if the house is opened, although Anopheles
will never be seen after 6.30 a.m. or before 6 p.m.
unless the house is absolutely and closely surrounded
by bush.
A most important fact, always to be borne in mind
when travelling in selectiug a site for a camp, is that
the principal source from which the mosquito obtains
the malaria parasite is the native children. Practically
all native children may be regarded as infected with
malaria, and therefore all Anopheles in native houses
should be regarded with the greatest suspicion, and the
neighbourhood of native houses or native children should
as far as possible be avoided for European houses or
camps.
21
It has been proved that the separation of Europeans
from Natives is one of the most efficient means of
protection against diseases endemic among native races.
Even partial separation, such as sleeping outside the
native quarters at night time, affords a very consider-
able^degree of security.
PERSONAL HYGIENE.
"Prevention is better than Cure."
The chief diseases to be guarded against in West
Africa are malaria, dysentery and yellow fever. These
diseases are all caused by the presence of a special
parasite. A low condition of health predisposes to
attacks by these parasites; therefore everything that
tends to strengthen the body should be encouraged,
and everything that tends to weaken the body avoided.
The sun, the wind, and the rain are three elements
which may damage the body from without and so make
it more susceptible to the attacks of parasites.
It is of paramount importance to wear a helmet
when in the sun, and when possible to use a white
umbrella. The umbrella should be lined with stuff of
red brown colour. Even if the sun is somewhat obscured
by a haze, it is still necessary to wear a helmet.
The high temperature of the air causes the body to
perspire after but little exertion, and even when not
perspiring the body always has, in hot climates, a great
volume of blood circulating just under the skin ; con-
sequently, if the wind blows strongly, the body, unless
protected by suitable clothing, may lose a considerable
amount of heat suddenly, and so have its vitality
lowered. Similarly as regards rain, wettings are more
liable to cause chills than in temperate climates.
Chills often induce attacks of fever in persons whose
blood contains malaria parasites.
Accordingly, a helmet, white umbrella (lined), flannel
suitings, and a waterproof are essential, and, in some
places, indiarubber boots are very useful. These articles
cannot always be obtained on the Coast.
28
The foiir claeses of essential precautions against
malaria have been mentioned under that head. Three
of them fall also under the head of personal hygiene.
1. Always carefully to use n good large mosquito
net kept in thorough repair.
2. To wear mosquito boots every evening after
dusk until retiring.
3. To take quinine systematically.
With regard to the first precaution, even the smallest
holes in the net must be promptly mended, and the
bottom of the net must be properly tucked in between
the canvas of the bedstead and tlie mattress or blanket
upon which the sleeper will lie. The practice, usual in
some places, of having the net weighted at the bottom
and allowing its bottom edge to he on the floor is a bad
one, because mosquitoes often shelter in the day under
the bed, and when the net is turned down they
are inside it and attack the sleeper. Mosquito rods
forming a frame above should be fitted to every bed,
the net being slung inside the framework, and
not stretched over the outside of it. (See
illustration}. During the day, when the net is not
required, tlie bottom part should be roughly twisted
together and laid over the top of the net ; shortly
before sunset the net should be lowered and tucked in
as described. It is no uncommon thing to see a
man who imagines that lie is getting the benefit
of a mosquito net when his net contains one or more
holes or is allowed to hang round the bed at its lower
part so that it is liable to bo caught up on a chair or
pair of boots, leaving ample space for mosquitoes to
^et in. A common habit of native servants or
"boys,'' only mentioned to he condemned, is to
keep one of the long sides of the net raised during
24
the day, thus providing- a convenient shelter inside the
net for any wandering mosquito. The details of the
mosquito net are discussed in Appendix A.
"With regard to the second precaution, the advice
given on page 9 should be most carefully attended to.
The bi-hydrochloride of quinine is one of the hest
preparations. It is best taken dissolved in water. The
tablets should be wrapped in paper and crushed, and
will then dissolve readily in a quarter of a small
tumblerful of water.
It is preferable to have the bi-hydrochloride of
quinine, as the bisulphate is not nearly so soluble as
the bi-hydrochloride.
Officers are specially warned of the danger of taking
tablets dry like a pill. After a while tablets often
become hard, do not dissolve in the stomach, and are
excreted unchanged. The result is that the quinine
does not enter the system, and that the malarial
parasites are not killed off when they get into the blood,
and a false sense of security is set up ; the person thinks
he is protected from malaria, whereas he no more
" digests " the quinine than he would a cherry-stone.
Some Old Coasters think that if a man takes quinine
every day the drug will lose its effect on him, and that
he will therefore be in a sorry plight if he does get
fever. The newcomer may rest assured that there is
no foundation for this belief.
A man's system is, as a rule, quite clear of a five-grain
dose of quinine in less than twenty-four hours, and
it is for this reason that a frequent dose is so important.
It is wise to give personal servants a ten-grain dose
of quinine once or twice a week, both for their own
benefit and to prevent them from infecting their
masters with fever.
MOSQUITO NET.
IN POSITION ON CAMP BED, TUCKED IN BETWEEN THE MATTRESS
AND THE CANVAS OF THE BED.
{hi/ kind permiminn of Me$«r: Way 4" Co,)
25
Dysentery and other troubles are avoided by drinking
only water that has been boiled, and by taking oare
that all soups, tea and coffee, &c., are made with
boiling water.
Sometimes radishes and the like are grown by
Europeans and eaten raw as is the custom in England,
but in all such cases water that has boiled must be used
to wash the vegetables ; and it is held by some to be
safer to add salt to the water.
A pinch of permanganate of potash or some Condy's
fluid should be put into the bath water, and plenty of
soap (carbolic recommended) should always be used.
Bath water should be just warm, as cold baths are
more liable to cause chills than in England, and hot
baths induce sweat.
Jiggers are most plentiful in sandy places. Tliey
are sand fleas which eat into the skin, usually about
the toe-nails. They can be avoided by never walking
about in bare feet and always keeping boots and shoes
at a height above the floor when not in use, by hadng
the wooden floors polished with beeswax and turpentine,
and by seeing that they are thoroughly swept daily. On
getting into bed men often leave their shppers on the
floor at the bedside ; the next morning they thrust their
feet into the 8lip])ers and proceed to dress, thinking that
by wearing the slippers they will escape jiggers. But
jiggers will walk into a slipper while on the ground
empty. Slippers therefore should be placed on a chair
by the side of the bed. Boots should be kept high
on the top of boxes or hung by the tabs to nails in
the wall.
Jiggers which have penetrated the skin must not be
neglected. A description of how they can be removed
is given in Appendix E.
26
In order to prevent contamination of clothing, and
possible skiu disease, it is proper to insist that no
native's clothes should he washed at the same time
as a European's. The Eui'opeaus at a station usually
pay the washerman a substantial salary, and it is only
fair that tlieir washing should be kept distinct from
any native's washing he may get.
37
CARE OF QUARTERS.
All furniture Bhould be at least a foot fi'om the wall
of the room so that a servant can fan and dust behind
it every day. If heavy furniture is placed close to the
wall, as is usual in England, mosquitoes, &c., will hide
behind it during the day. If clothes are hung on a
wall they should be completely covered by a white
cloth reaching to the ground, in order that mosquitoes
may not hide in them.
The following rules, among others, apply to official
quarters in Lagos and will be useful for the guidance
of officers in other parts of "West Africa :—
(1.) The occupant is responsible for the care and
cleanliness of the quarters and compounds ; the
latter should be adequately cleaned at least once
a fortnight, and the former cleaned at least three
times a week by wiping down the furniture and
floor with a duster moistened with a weak solution
of some disinfectant fluid such as Jeyes' fluid. (It
is advised that thorough dry-scrubbing, with a
little bees-wax and turpentine, be adopted as the
method of cleaning boarded floors.)
(2.) Window glass should be cleaned at least
once a week ; and jalousies frequently.
Jalousies should be opened and worked daily.
(Tliwy are a favourite haunt of mosquitoes in the
day-time.)
(3.) Responsibility for the care and cleanliness
of furniture rests with the officer to whom it is
issued and who has signed for it on the inventory
form.
28
(4.) (i.) No rubbish, offal, or dirtj water of any
description, should be thrown on the surface of the
ground in the neighbourhood of a well for a
distance of at least 10 yards from the latter.
(ii.) To prevent leaves and dirt from being blown
into the well by wind, the cover of the well should
always be shut down except when water is actually
being drawn.
(iii.) Tanks should be most carefully examined
at least once a month, and cleaned out if there is
evidence of the slightest contamination by any
vegetable or other substance.
(iv.) The first rain-water from a roof, after a
period of dry weather, should not be allowed to
enter the tank.
(v.) Tanks must be kept free from mosquitoes (i.e.,
they must be made mosquito-proof, and kept so).
See chapter " Mosquitoes and Disease " (page
12), for directions as to how to do this, and how to
keep down mosquitoes in the neighbourhood of
dwelling-houses.
29
FOOD AND DRINK.
Never eat tinned food if you ean get fresh.
Avoid all over-iipe fruit, and meat or fish wliicli is
the least bit tainted.
When a tin of provisions — animal or vegetahle — has
been opened, its contents must at once be emptied into
a glass or earthenware vessel. Neglect to do this is a
frequent source of ptomaine poisoning, and one's servants
have to be constantly kept up to the mark in this respect,
as they cannot see the necessity for the precaution.
In some parts of West Africa chickens are the chief
fresh animal food, but they are very small. A good
plan is to buy a number of live chickens, according to
the .size of the place they are to be kept in, and to give
them a small feed once a day of rice, maize, or other
grain. In a month they are much better eating, and
well repay the trouble.
Beef, mutton, and goat-flesh can generally be
obtained.
West African yams are large potato -like tubers and
are of two kinds. Both are of a yellowish white inside,
and the smaller of the two kinds has a pink layer just
below the skin. The larger are called yams simply,
and the smaller coco-yams ; the former are the better
eating.
On the coast potatoes may sometimes be bought from
the steamers.
The pawpaw looks like a small vegetable marrow,
but grows on a free. When ripe it is eaten as a fruit ;
and whe]i unripe it can be boiled and served like a
vegetable maiTow, from which when properly cooked it
is practically indistinguishable.
30
Oei-tain kir.da of leaves, such as the young leaves of
the coco-yam, can be chopped up fine and served like
apinacli.
Banana, orange, pineapple, and certain kinds of plum,
are common. Mango, guava, &o,, grow in some places.
When travelling, biscuits may be used in the place of
bread, but, when stationary, bread is easy to make (see
recipes in Appendix D).
Beef should be firm, of a deep red colour, not flabby,
sodden, or watery. The flesh should consist only of
meat fibres, fat, and gristle. There must be no minute
white spots on or between the meat fibres.
Goat meat is paler in colour than beef and there is
not much fat as a rule.
It is very important to know that a beast intended
for food was slaughtered and that it did not die from
disease.
A humane way to kill a bullock is to have the animal
tied up by the head close to a tree or post, and then to
shoot it with a revolver. The revolver should be held
about six inches from the centre point of the frontal
bone, i.e., midway between the upper border of the eye
socket and the lower border of tlie horn of the opposite
side. The animal falls unconscious at once. It should
be bled five minutes afterwards.
Fish is usually plentiful and good on the coast.
With regard to drink, water and palm wine are the
two beverages of the country. Palm wine should not
be drunk unless it has been seen collected, otherwise it
is very likely to have been mixed with water from some
infected pool or stream.
Water should be filtered, and must always be boiled.
It is important to use a filter of the best kind, and
31
to keep it clean. *' Stand filters " are supplied for use
in bungalows or station houses, and the " candles " of
these should be thoroughly scrubbed and boiled once
every week ; on the least suspicion of a crack in it, a
candle should be at once condemned and replaced
by a new one. The Doulton, Pasteur-Ohamberland,
or Brownlow filters can be recommended, but the
ordinarv carbon filters are worse than useless. The
filtering can be left to a servant, but the European
should always go daily and see that the water is
actually boiled. The vessel of boiled drinking
water should then bo covered up and placed to cool
on a piece of wood in a soup plate full of water, to
keep it free from ants.
In addition to a filter, a water cooler is almost a
necessity, as lukewarm or tepid water is a very un-
inviting drink. Water coolers can be obtained in most
towns, and when filled with water (filtered and boiled)
and hung up in a breeze, the water becomes quite cold by
evaporation. Any liquid in a bottle may be cooled in
much the same way by ^\Tapping a piece of wet flannel
round the bottle and j)lacingit in a breeze half-an-hour
before it is required.
A Thermos flask is also a useful article to have on
patrol, but, owing to its being so fragile, it is necessary
to stuff it with cloth or paper when not in use, so that
it is not cracked by excessive vibration.
Water, if muddy, should first be strained through a
piece of linen, such as a handkerchief. If it is still
thick and difficult to filter, it can bo placed in a large
basin and a Httle alum added to it, six grains to the
gallon being the usual quantity. The alum causes all
the fine particles in the water to sink to the bottom of
the basin in about six or eight hours. The addition
of a little lime is occasionally an advantage.
32
It is necessary to distinguish between straining water
to get rid of solid matter suspended in it, and sterilising
it to make it free from germs. It is difficult to keep
any filters free from germs, and accordingly water
should be first filtered and afterwards boiled.
Alcoholic drinks, if taken, should he consumed only
at meals, and preferably at the evening- meal. Heavy
drinkers should not go to West Africa, moderate
drinkers should be very moderate there, and
total abstainers should remain so.
For a short list of suitable tinned foods and for
cooking recipes, see the Appendices A and D.
38
TRAVELLING AND BUSH LIFE.
hi certain parts of tropical West Africa, a consider-
able amount of travelling is done on rivers by means of
steam launches or native canoes.
When travelling in a canoe it is very important that
Europeans should have an awning, at least two mats
thick, over them to shelter them from tlie sun. The
natives can easily arrange an awning by means of
sticks out in the adjacent bush.
Should a tornado be about to break, shelter must be
taken in the bush, or at least the mat awning must be
removed, otherwise there is grave risk of the canoe
capsizing. The removal of the awning is necessary on
sucji occasions in all small boats.
Laud travelling is done on foot, in hammocks, on
bicycles, aud, in some parts of the interior, on horse-
back. Motor bicycles are rapidly coming into use in
many parts of Nigeria, but " light weight " machines
are preferable. There are motor transport services
in certain parts of Nigeria and the Grold Coast. There
are ^ailwa3^^ in Sierra Leone, the Grold Coast, and
Nigeria.
To prevent blistered feet on the march, avoid tight
boots and rub some nearly dry soap on the feet before
starting ; some people prefer vaseline or hazeline.
Loads must be kept within about 50 lbs., which, as
has already been said, is the heaviest weight an average
carrier can manage.
In getting ready for a march, the first thing to do is
to have all the loads arranged in one lino, about six feet
3
34
from ono another. The carriers are then chosen
according to their strength and placed beside their loads.
The strongest carrier should alwaj s be given the bed,
mosquito net, and bedding. At the same time, it is
very important that the bed load should be kept as light
as possible, because the uncertainties of a march are
considerable, and the lighter the load the less handi-
capped is the carrier when he meets difficulties. The
other loads are distributed among the carriers according
to the imjDortance of the load and the ability of the
carrier to convey it.
If there is a good headman of the carriers, he will
attend to these matters better than the European can.
It is best for the European to travel last ; he can then
be certain that no load is left behind, and, should any
accident happen to a carrier, the European will soon
come up to the place and can decide what is best to be
done.
Most Europeans on foot, without hammooke, will find
ten miles a day a fair average march.
When one's clothes get wet on a march in the rains,
the best plan, if the rain is still falling, is to make a fire
under a shed and spread them on sticks above it, at a
sufficient height to avoid blackening them with smoke.
A sheet of corrugated iron, if obtainable, makes an
admirable drying tray.
It is repeated here, as being a matter of prime import-
ance, that the site of a camp should always be
as far as possible from a native town and
native children.
In Freetown, Sierra Leone, there is at present no
rest house for the use of Government officers passing
through on the way to the Protectorate or going on leave.
There are, however, hotels providing fairly satisfactory
35
accommodation, but they are expensive. Rest houses
also exist in the various districts for the use of officers
on patrol.
In the Gold Coast, especially up country, rest houses
are commonly provided along the main routes, about a
day's hammock journey apart, for the use of European
officials traveUing.
If it is necessary to lodge in a native town, seek
for the most isolated house that you can find on its
borders.
The officer should be prepared to deal with the more
common cases of sickness among carriers. They are
particularly liable to get their feet cut with jagged
pieces of stick, and these wounds should at once be
attended to, for fear that the germ of lockjaw, which is
always present on the ground, should get into the
wound. For the method of treatment, see Appendix E.
They are also apt to suffer from constipation.
Mosquitoes are kept off to a certain extent by the
smoke of a fire, but the safest plan is always to finish
the march about 4 o'clock, so that the carriers and the
European can eat before dark.
A waterproof cape is useful when marching in the
bush iu the early morning ; it protects the shoulders
from the dew dripping off the leaves.
A bush latrine can be made by digging a hole and
placing across it horizontally, at a convenient height
from the ground, a thick bough, supported at each end
beyond the hole by means of Y-shaped branches. If
necessary, it should be roofed in.
Care must be taken to prevent thefts of Government
money when travelling. The cash boxes should be
placed under a trustworthy guard, and should be
3a
36
fastened at night with a padlock and chain to an im-
movable object, close to where the European is
sleeping, or to his bed.
If Grovernment money is entrusted to an official on
first arrival for transport, he should be most careful to
ascertain the regulations for its safe custody, and to see
that they are rigorously observed.
It is advisable when crossing rivers with money to
fix floats at the end of long ropes to each of the specie
boxes, so that if the boat capsizes the boxes can be
pulled up or easily located by divers.
Compensation for losses from fire in West Africa
will not be paid by the Grovernment where insurance
against such loss could have been effected on reasonable
terms. The iiames of certain insurance companies who
have stated that they are prepared to undertake such
business may be obtained eitlier from the Crown
Agents for the Colonies, 4, Millbank, S.W., or locally
from the Colonial Secretary of any of the West
African Col(V';ies ; and there are probably other
companies also.
37
WORK AND AMUSEMENT.
The working hours in West Africa vary greatly in
the different Colonies and Protectorates, but a good
plan is to get up early and do as much work as possible
before II a.m. This leaves the hotter part of the day
for what is usually the smaller half of the work.
An early breakfast of, say, a rasher of bacon or an
egg, with tea, is usually taken on first getting up in the
morning, about <J. 1 o. It is of impoi*tance never to go out
without having first eaten at least a Inscuit. The remain-
ing meals vary according to the Colony, and the work
that has to be done.
A da3'''s work in West Africa is much the same
as a fail' average day's work in England. If what
has to be done is done regularly and with method, an
officer will rarely have any serious difficulty in perform-
ing his duties.
In out-stations a great deal of customs, post office,
and other administrative work is performed by native
clerks, who daily make out papers which require for
their completion to be examined and signed by the
European officer in charge. Such papers should be
dealt with at once whenever possible, as if they are put
on one side for other work they may have to be dealt
with in haste when the mail day arrives, and errors and
occasionally defalcations may be overlooked. The errors
may or may not have serious consequences in themselves,
but in any case they cause needless work to the staff at
lieadquarters and to the officer himself, while if defal-
cations are overlooked from carelessness the officer may
have to make them good out of Ids own pocket.
38
An officer on first arrival should be most oaref ul to
obtain and familiarise himself with all the regulations
affecting? his particular duties, and when in doubt to
ask advice.
Officers who have to travel should always arrange
their journeys so that the in-coming and out-going
official mails are not neglected.
Twice at least in every month the routine office and
storekeeping work should be carefully cheeked. It
is not pleasant for an officer who works hard to
find himself placed in an unfortunate position through
the mistakes or neglect of his native clerk ; and all
officers are held responsible for the supervision of the
work of those subordinate to them.
Officers will find it absolutely necessary for the
proper conduct of business that coriespondence registers
and other official records should be carefully compiled
and kept up to date, and that individual papers are
methodically stored, arranged according to subject,
number, or date. The Governor and any inspecting
officers who may visit the station will ordinarily examine
the books and call for con'espondence to see that it
is properly kept, or for actual use, and any long delay
in producing papers called for is a sure sign that there
is something wrong with the system or with the way in
which it is beinff worked.
*o
Officers in charge of cash should never leave their
offices for the night until they have balanced the cash
in the safe against the amount shown in the books.
Government stores should be regularly checked to
see that they tally with the entries in the books regard-
ing them.
Official books of record vary much in different places.
Officers in charge of districts usually have to keep
39
or superintend the keeping of the following books, or
local equivalents for them : —
Correspondence registers, Treasury hooks, Law hooks
with alterations appended, Court books, Standing Order
book, Instructional files, Store books, Prison books,
Transport books, Intelligence book. Officer's official
diaries.
Every officer should use a diary or some other means
of bringing to mind duties which require to be dis-
charged periodically, and things which should be done
on particular days.
Games, chiefly golf, bowls, cricket, and tennis, are
played in the late afternoon from about half-past foui',
at all events at the larger stations. Polo is played at
Bathurst, Accra, Kumasi, and at several stations in
Nigeria. In any case Europeans should always take
brisk exercise every day equal at least to a two-mile
walk. Exercise readily causes sweating, and it is
essential that those who indulge in games should
immediately afterwards take off wet clothes, dry the
body, and put on dry underwear before sitting down
outside in tlie cool of the evening.
40
THE RETURN TO ENGLAND.
Shortly after leaving the Coast, particular! j after
leaving Sierra Leone, the north-east trade winds are
met, and the liability of men returning from the tropics
to contract oliills when exposed to these winds is very
great. They should be careful not to sit on deck in the
light clothing that people are accustomed to wear in
West Africa.
A man with a few malarial parasites in his system may
very easily induce their multiplication by contracting a
slight chill, and so these parasites (which, had he exercised
care, would probably have become innocuous during his
leave) may be the cause of serious illness upon the
voyage. Accordingly heavier clothing should be worn
when on board ship. During the voyage home and
afterwards quinine should be taken in accordance with
medical advice.
Even though he has had no fever on the Coast, a
man must not think that he is safe from fever when he
leaves the place of infection. The malaria parasites
contracted in Africa are not left behind when the
African coast fades away on the horizon. They may
Kve in the body for over two years after the return to
Europe. Ignorance or neglect of this important
fact has caused much sickness and even death. The
majority of physicians who practise in tropical medicine
in England are agreed that they see, case for case,
severer cases of fever in England than they ever did
abroad.
It is therefore a matter of paramount necessity to
have warm clothing during the voyage home and to
41
take quinine regularly every day during the voyage,
and in England as advised by the medical officer.
To sum up : —
(1) Be careful ox the change of diet when first
getting on to the ship.
(2) Live regidarly.
(3) Do not remain on deck after sunset without
putting on an overcoat.
(4) Gradually put on thicker clothing as required.
(5) Avoid draughte and chills.
(6) Continue the regular use of quinine on the
voyage home, and according to the orders
of the medical officer who examined you
before leaving West Africa.
42
APPENDIX A.
OUTFIT.
All officers are recommended to provide themselves with
the following articles : —
Mosquito net.
♦White pith sun hat, with puggaree.
White umbrella, lined.
Large kettle or camp saucepan, to hold
at least five pints, for boiling water.
Lantern, to burn candles or vegetable oil.t
A few Medicines, &c., as described on
page 49.
Two cases of provisions. J
The most recent map, or maps, of the
Colony or Protectorate to which they
are proceeding.
Mosquito Net.ll — An illustration of a good pattern is
given opposite page 25. The net is a most important item of
outfit, and careful attention should be given to the following
* The Cawnpore Tent Club pattern, or as an alternative Ellwood's
Patent Helmet is recommended.
t Lord's wind-proof lamp to bum kerosene, though more expensive,
is specially recommended for Niseria.
X Not necessaiT for officers going to and remaining at Freetown,
.\xim, Seknndi, Cape Coast, Accra, Lagos, or Calabar.
II All first class officers goin;? to Sierra Leone who are likely to
spend part of their time at headquarters should provide themselves
with two mosqaito-nets, one (sand fly proof) for use with a camp bed,
the other for the large bed supplied by Government. In the Gambia
nets should be made of butter muslin on account of sand-flies.
43
details. The material should be double for about 18 inches
above the bed to protect the limbs of the sleeper from being
bitten through the net. The part of the net which is
tucked under the mattress may usefully be strengthened
with calico or other stuff to prevent it from being torn.
The top of the net should be made of the same material as
the sides, and not of caUco as is often the case. The net
should be white, in order that mosquitoes may be more
readily seen when brushing down its inner sides. It should
be fitted with rings and cords, so that it may be suspended
from the mosquito rods, or the roof if necessary.
In order that the air inside may remain fresh, the net
should be as large as possible, and should not be in the
shape of a bell or an inverted V, but have a flat top.
It is a disputed point whether the material of the net
should be ordinary mosquito netting, or some closer
material such as book muslin, cheese cloth, or butter
muslin. The advantage of the closer materials is that
they afford complete protection from every insect, including
the annoying sand-fly, but sometimes they are found to
exclude fresli air to an undesirable degree. The mosquito
net chosen should be 16 meshes to the iach to 20 meshes ;
the latter is preferable, as it keeps out sand flies, often very
annoying and disturbing to rest and .sleep.
Clothing". — With regard to clothing, several flannel
tennis or khaki drill suits, an old serge or tweed suit, and
a light waterproof are requited, and also an overcoat for
use chiefly on the voyages. The seams of the waterproof
must be sewn and not stuck together. Waistcoats are
not worn except on the voyages, but kummerhunds are
useful. In Nigeria there is a special (optional) dinner
dress (see Appendix C). Officers of the higher grades
going to other parts of West Africa should take out
a dress suit, with dinner jacket. This will also l)e wanted
on the voyages.
Plenty of thin summer woollen underclothing should be
taken out, anrl also heavy underclothing for the voyages.
44
In the Gambia and many parts of Nigeria some warm
clothing is essential, as cold days and nights are expe-
rienced at times.
It is unwise to wear cotton next to the skin, and a
flannel shirt, or linen or cotton shirt with woollen undervest,
should be worn. Shirts, vests, and drawers should, when
possible, be changed once every day, and at least eight of
each are needed. vShirts with turn-down collars are
suitable. Needles, thread, buttons, &c., will be wanted
for repairs.
Two pairs at least of stout brown leather boots are
recommended, and dubbin should not be forgotten. For
the Northern Provinces of Nigeria, a third pair should be
taken. For the bush, boots should be well nailed.
Mosquito boots should be bought in England when an
official comes out on his first tour ; subsequently he can
have similar boots made locally on the Coast at less expense,
but it is important that the new comer should be provided
with them in the first instance. Boots give greater protection
than shoes against mosquitoes and tsetse flies. When on
trek the end of the trousers should be tucked into the
socks as tsetse flies seek the ankle so as to get in under
the open end of the trousers. Shoes should only be worn
when playing tennis, cricket or other games.
All clothing, more especially if woollen or merino, n ust
be kept in air-tight steel trunks to preserve them from
moth and mould. A few naphthalene balls or camphor
squares should always be placed amongst the clothes to
help in preserving them. In case of woollen clothes it is
necessary to take thpm out of the boxes at least once a
fortnight, examine them f(jr mould, brush them thoroughly
if necessary, to remove any traces of mould, place them in
a bright sun for a couple of hours to remove damj^ness,
then replace in the box, which should also have been put
out into the sun, not forgetting to replace the camphor and
naphthalene among the clothes.
Miscellaneous. — All officers should take out towels,
blankets, sheets (if used), pillow and pillow cases, crockery,
45
cutlery, table linen, saucepans, kettle, frying pan, and
kitchen cloths.
Valuable watches should not be taken as they are likely to
be spoiled, but several, two or thiee, good and fairly cheap
watches are useful. iSpare glasses should be taken out for
each watch.
The Pvoyal Geographical Society's '• Hints to Travellers "
(15s. net) contains useful inforaiation as to equipment,
surveying, natural history, ethnology, photography, &c.
Officers going to Hausa-speaking districts should take
Robinson and Burdon's Hausa Grammar (Kegan Paul, 5/-).
Other useful books on Hausa are Miller's Hausa Notes
(Oxford University Press), and Robinson's Hausa Diction-
ary (2 vols., Cambridge University Press).
Ca.llip Outfit. — Medical and military officers, all officers
going to Nigeria (except those who will remain in Lagos
town or on the Railway), and ali officers whose duties
may require them t<3 travel inland otherwise than by
railway in any of the other West African Colonies,
should take out camp outfit, except tents. Tents will be
supplied by the Government when required.
The needs of officers falling within one or other of the
classes just mentioned dilTer so much, accord mg to the
amount of travelling which they will be called upon to do
and the resources of the dLstricts in which they will
travel, that it Ls nut possible to give more thaii an
approximate idea of the articles which they will require.
The list given on next page may be regarded as a minimum
for an officer who will travel a good deal, and officeis who
expect to travel much will be well advised to take out a
slightly more extensive kit, but should not greatly add
to the bulk and weight of the outfit. On the other hand,
those who will only make a short journey to an inland
station and back again at the end of their tour of service
will find it possible to do without a good many of tlie
articles in the list.
46
In addition to the articles mentioned in the preceding
list as necessary for all officers whether they will travel
or not, travellers will require most of the following
articles : —
*Pump filter, with stirrup and six spare
candles, in case, or a small size port-
able drip filter with at least three
spare candles.
" Compactum " (or other) catDp bed,
mosquito rods, mosquito net, three
blankets, pillow and two pillow cases,
in waterproof canvas bag.
Waterproof sheet, about 8 ft. by 6 ft.
Bath and washstand (combined).
Canvas bucket.
Camp table and camp chair or deck chair.
Water bottle, large, felt-covered, of
enamelled iron or aluminium.
Cooking and eating utensils.
20 yards of muslin, for making houses
mosquito proof.
Tndiarubber boots, reaching to the
knees, not lined with felt.
Two air-tight metal uniform cases, not
larger than 44 ins. by 16 ins. by 11 ins.,
with name of officer painted on.
II Revolver and ammunition.
Small compass.
Hammer, nails, case opener.
*See page 31 as to filters.
II Officers going to the interior of Nigeria are required to take a .
revolver of •455 bore. See page 48. In Sierra Leone a shot gun
may be substituted.
47
The following list will serve as a guide to the cooking and
eating utensils needed. Some of the articles are the sanie
as have already been mentioned under the heads " General "
and " Miscellaneous." These need not, of course, be dupli-
cated.
Two kettles.
Nest of three steel or aluminium saucepans with
detachable handles.
Frying pan.
Small mincing machine for preparing tough meat.
Three pots, for salt, pepper, and mustard.
Metal tea-pot.
Two block tin or aluminium provision boxes, about
9 ins. by 6 ins., for sugar, and bread or biscuits.
Enamelled iron (or stout crockery) plates, cups,
saucers, knives, forks, tea-spoons (two of each
article); table-spoon, soup-spoon, enamelled iron
(or stout crockery) meat dish, two metal
tumblers.
Cook's knives, forks and spoons, two of each.
Small metal "Sparklet" bottle and "Sparklets."
At a slightly increased cost, some of the articles may be
got in the form of a small luncheon basket, and one of
the kettles may hn replaced by a copper kettle with a
screw lid and a screw stopper to the spout. This kettle
will serve instead of a teapot, and also to hold water during
marches.
A portable lamp and a lantern or hurricane lamp are also
necessary.
The bed, bedding, mosquito net, etc., should bo made up
with special care as a single load, wliich must be- thoroughly
waterproof. A cork matt ress may be added if desired, and
three good blankets are recommended as a great comfort,
particularly in thosr^ parts of Nigeria where the ttanpera-
ture falls at night to anything between 40 and 5D F.
48
Some officers prefer to take, ins(:ead of a canvas bath, a
metal hip bath, with a wicker lining, which serves to pack
things in.
All clothing must be packed in the air-tight uniform cases
for travelling.
If the eyes are likely to be sensitive to the glare of the
sun, smoked goggles should be taken. Men who can shoot
for the pot will like to take a shot-gun and cartridges.
Northern Nigreriac — f)fficers going to the Northern
Provinces of Nigeria must also take saddlery and horse
requisites, suited to ponies not usually exceeding 14 hands,
and riding breeches and gaiters.*
A drip filter, in addition to the pump filter, is often
useful. Two or three water bpttles should be taken for
marches.
Officers of the Political and Medical Departments, and
others whose work may involve their travelling in the
interior of Nigeria, are also required to provide
themselves with a brown leather belt, ammunition pouch,
holyter, and lan}'ard, and a revolver of '455 bore (to take
Government ammunition).
In the Northern Provinces or Nigeria a shot gun with
about 500 cartridges (say, 100 No. 2 for geese, 200 No. 3 or
4 for guinea-fowl, &c., and 200 No. 5 for partridges, &c.)
will be found almost indispensable if an officer is quartered
in the bush. Each 100 cartridges should be soldered in
tin. A small bore single shot carbine is good enough
for the smaller antelope. For the larger antel j^do and
dangerous game a largf-r bore is more effective, but so
very few opportunities occur of hunting the latter that
expensive double- barrel ritles of large bore are seldom
used. Officers will, of course, make themselves acquainted
with the restrictions imposed by law in regard to the
shooting of game.
* Horses can be used in the following Provinces: -Kano, Sokoto,
Bornu, Baachi (Central), Kontagora, Zaria, YoIm, part of Naasarawa,
Ilorin-Kabba, Muri, and Niger.
49
MEDICINES, &c.
Bi-hydrochloride of Quinine, 500 tablets
of 5 grains eacli.
Sulphate of Soda, in crystals, 1 lb. weight.
Bottle of Chlorodyne, |-oz.
Boracic Acid, 2 lbs. weight.
Bi-carbonate of Soda, 2 ozs., in tabloids
of grains x. each.
* Clinical Thermometer (to be used only
if there is no doctor at the Station).
* 6 First Aid Dressings.
* Alum, for clearing water, 1 lb., in
tabloids of grains iii. each.
Permanganate of Potash, ^ lb.
Vaseline, for protecting knives and
razors from rust, 1 lb.
Sulphate of Magnesia, 1 lb , in 1 oz.
packets.
Large tube of Hazeline cream.
The sulphate of soda is intended for use as an aperient,
in doses of one heaped-up teaspoonful. Other aperients
may be suljstituted if preferred. Directions for the use of
the rest of the drugs are given in Appendix E and other
parts of this book.
Officer.^ likely to be stationed in any place, where a
Medical OHicer is not available should apply, on the Coast,
for a small bottle of the following tabloids : —
Vegetable Laxative.
Lead and Opium Pills.
Compound Phenacetin.
Directions for use to be put on bottle.
•PersoTiB sroing to the larger towns, and not likely to travel, can
omit the articIuR markcl with an astcrink.
50
PROVISIONS.
It will usually be found cheaper to take out the less
perishable kinds of provisions from England rather than
to buy them locally. Good fresh provisions when obtainable
are much preferable to tinned, but almost every officer
will require some of the latter. Except in the cases
mentioned in the foot-note on page 42, it is suggested that
at least three months' supply of provisions should be taken
out, and officers going to bush stations may find it
expedient to take out a larger supply. Provisions should be
packed in cases with hinged lids and a padlock and key,
and not in nailed-up cases. Suitable cases are obtainable
ready packed. Some of the cases weigh 60 lbs., but this
will not be too heavy for a strong carrier, although 50 lbs.
is better.
The following list of articles for one case will serve as a
guide to those who prefer to select their own provisions : —
^-Ib. tin Tea.
J-lb. tin Coffee.
i-lb. tin Cocoa.
7 small tins "Ideal" or
" Green Butterfly "
Milk.
1 bottle Saxin Tabloids,
i 2-lb. tin Rolled Oats.
2 ^-Ib. tins iSardines in oil or
Tomato Sauce.
tins assorted Mtats.
1-lb. tins of Marmalade.
4-oz. tins of Jam.
|-lb. tins of Butter.
1-lb. tins of Plain Biscuits,
bottle Salt.
J-lb. tin Pepper,
i-lb. --
tin Mustard.
2 boxes Sparklets, if Sparklet
Syphon in taken.
6 tins assorted Soups or 6 Soup
Squares.
1 i-lb. tin Curiy Powder.
1 2-lb. tin Rice.
2 1-lb. tins Beef Dripping.
4 tins assorted Vegetables.
4 tins Fruit.
1 bottle Pickles.
1 small bottle Worcestershire
Sauce.
2 1-lb. tins Tongue.
3 tins assorted Tinned Meats or
Army Rations.
1 bottle Lime Juice.
1 Tin-opener.
This will more than suffice for a week even Avhere
nothing can be got locally, and ordinarily, \\herB some fresh
provisions are obtainable, it will last a good deal longer.
51
APPENDIX B.
FURNITURE.
The. Government of the Gambia provides all European
officers with furni-ihed quarters.
In the Gold Coast the following is a list of the articles of
furniture usually supplied to single officers : —
DINING ROOM.
Table. Dining 1
Sideboard 1
Wagon, Dinner 1
Chair, Bentwood
Cupboard
Table, Wiiting ...
Chairs, Bentwool
, Ai-m ... 1
... 1
... 1
... 6
BED-ROOM.
(Note that Mosauixo Nets are not Supplied.)
Bedstead 1
Canvas Sit 1
Mattress, Wire 1
JIattresp, Hair 1
Bolster 1
PiUows
Press
Table, Dressing ...
Toilet Glass
Chairs
2
... 1
... 1
... I
... 2
BATHROOM.
Washstand I
Toilet Ware (5 pieces)... I
Towel Horse
Bath Tub
... 1
... 1
VERANDAH.
Madeira Couch 1
Aladeira Lounge 1
Madeira Chairs 4
Filter, Stand ...
Madeira Centre Table
Mideira Tea Table
Filter
I
... 1
... 1
... 1
LATRINE.
latrine Pun 1
Latrine Rim I
Sand Scoop
Latrine Cover
Sand Bo.x
1
... 1
... 1
PANTRY.
Meat Safe 1
KITCHEN.
Stove 1
Table I
Water Drum
Water Bncket
... 1
... 1
52
In Sierra Leone the furniture provided is much the same
as in the Gold Coast. Mosquito nets are not supplied, and
the tables and chairs are not so numerous. Stoves are not
always included in Sierra Leone ; but they are provided in
some up-country stations, and in all bungalows in Freetown
and Hill Station. Bath tubs are not provided in Sierra
Leone, though baths are in the more modern bungalows.
In Nigeria, simple furniture is provided for permanent
quarters. The houses contain lamps, and the cook-houses
contain stoves.
Officers have to supply themselves with everything else
they may require in their quarters. Only camp furniture
is required for " bush quarters."
53
APPENDIX C.
CIVIL UNIFORM FOR WEST
AFRICA.
The following Field Dress has been sanctioned for
Administrative and Departmental Officers : —
Khaki (greenish) [or blue]* Norfolk Jacket, of drill,
[flannel]* or serge^j military pattern with plain brass,
leather or Colonial buttons, and without shoulder straps
or piping. The collar of the jacket to be either stand-up
or rolled. In Nigeria the collar should be turned down to
show a tie of olive green, in Sierra Leone a tie of Oxford
blue.
Calvin cord or khaki drill knickerbockers or breeches.
Khaki putties or brown leather gaiters (Khaki [or blue]*
trousers of similar material to the jacket may be worn in
place of knickerbockers or breeches).
Brown leather shooting boots.
Wolseley or pith helmet or sun hat.
Puggarees of the colour chosen by each Colony or
Protectorate. (Silk for senior officers ; linen for junior
officers.)
Khaki cap (optional) of the new military pattern, with
band of the colour chosen by each Colony or Protectorate.
Except in Nigeria, a band or braid, of the colour chosen
by each Cohmy or Protectorate, of material 3 inches wide
in the case of senior officers, and 1^ inches wide in the
* These alternatives are not admissible in Nigeria.
54
case of junior officers, to be worn three inches above the
bottom of both sleeves.
Special shirts (optional), either white tennis or field
service shirts of the latest pattern.
Dinner Dress (optior.al) for Nigeria only. — White drill
shell jacket, white trousei's and white canvas boots (thin
black serge dinner jacket and trousers and black boots,
optional), with black tie and French grey cummerbund.
In the Gamljia, the following evening drea^, is worn by
oSicers when dining at Government House: —
Formal invitations by card : — White mess jackets, 3 small
gilt buttons with crown, roll collar, pointed cuflFs with
2 small gilt buttons with crown. Black trousers crimson
cummerbund, black patent leather Oxford shoes (or drees
Wellingtons, or mosquito boots of patent leather with soft
black leather tops), soft fronted shirt, stiff collar, black tie.
Miniature medals.
Informal invitations : — As above,but without miniatures,
or dinner jacket suits.
In the Protectorate of Nigeria the use of the field dress
is compulsory for all civil servants entitled to wear it. In
the four Colonies any civil servant entitled to wear the field
dress may do so, and the Governor may order it to be worn
by any class or classes of civil servants if he thinks that
this would be desirable.
In Sierra Leone the field dress is worn only by officers
servincf in the Protectorate.
*o
Suggested dinner dress for Sierra Leone : — White duck
(or similar material) dinner (not shell) jacket, white
trousers to match, blue cummerbund or white waistcoat,
soft-fronted shirt, black evening shoes, stiff collar, black
evening tie.
00
Crimson.
Oxford Blue.
Old Gold.
Olive Green.
The following are the distinctive colours of the several
Colonies and Protectorates : —
Gambia
Sierra Leone
Gold Coast
Nigeria
The above uniform, which is peculiar to West Africa,
does not take the place of the civil uniform prescribed by
H.M. the King for the service of the Crown throughout
the Empire, which is worn by Governors, the Heads
of the principal Departments, Provincial Commissioners,
and certain other senior officers, upon suitable occasions.
Officers of the Civil Police Forces will wear Police
uniform in lieu of the above uniform, and officers of the
Nigeria Marine Department, the Marine uniform .
56
APPENDIX D.
COOKING RECIPES.
To make Bread. — (l) if there is no cooking range
it is necessary to make an oven. A good oven can be made
by taking clay and erecting on a slab of clay a hollow dome
of clay like a bee-hive ; the clay arch can be supported by
first taking a few twigs and bending them into half circles
and planting both ends in the ground, one on each side of
the slab of clay that is to form the floor.
A gap is left at one side to put the bread in, and a small
hole is left at the top so as to allow the fire inside to burn.
When ready, the fire is drawn and the dough is placed
in the hot oven, the hole at the top is closed and the gap
also closed by a piece of tin, the tin being covered over with
clay.
The walls of an oven so made should be about three
inches thick,
(2) To make a medium-size loaf, take 1^ lbs. of flour
and mix it with half a pint of palm wine that has been
collected about ten hours before ; let the dough thus made
stand in a warm place for an hour, then mix it with half
a pound more llour and let it stand again for about
15 minutes before placing it in the oven.
Baking powder and water can be used instead of palm
wine. Good flour should bind when compressed in the
hand, and bread made from it should gain about 30 per cent,
in weight.
In boiling" a joint the meat should be plunged into
boiling water for five minutes to harden the outside and to
retain all extractives, &c., in the interior ; the rest of the
57
cooking should be carried out at a lower temperature, i.e.,
the joiiit should be allowed to simmer. Give a quarter of
an hour for each pound weight and a quarter of an hour
over. Some salt should be put in the water. The scum
which will rise to the surface of the water should be removed.
To make broth the process is reversed ; the meat is
cut in fine pieces, and put in cold water and very slowly
brought up to the boil, so that all the "goodness" can
dissolve out into the water and form broth. The meat must
then simmer for some time, till it is in " rags."
In roasting" a joint allow a quarter of an hour for
each pound weight. Begin by putting the joint very near
a hot file for a few minutes, and complete the cooking
further away. Baste frequently.
To stew meat cut up each pound of beef into about
a dozen pieces, put, in a saucepan with a teaspoonful of salt,
add a sUced middle-size onion and a quarter of a pint of
water per lb. of beef; put on the fire for 10 minutes until
a thin gravy is formed ; add one ounce of flour per lb. of
beef, stir for a few minutes, add about three-quarters of a
pint of water per lb. of beef ; let the whole simmer until
the meat ia soft. Tiie flour must be well mixed with cold
water before it is put in.
Chickens can be roasted or boiled. They may also be
cut up into four pieces, each piece being beaten soft with a
stick and then fried as a chop ; or without beating, the
pieces can Ije stxiwed and served with white sauce.
Or a chicken can Ije s patch-cocked, i.e., cut straight down
the back, turned flat and fried. Or it can have all the
hones and flesh removed from the skin, the flesh scraped
from the bones and chopped up, mixed with onions, pepper,
(kc, and replaced in the skin and then roasted.
Natives have many other methods of serving chickens.
Mutton soup. Half a pound of mutton should make
a pint. Cut the meat into pieces, add two ounces of
6
68
vegetables, half a teaspoonful of salt, a little pepper, half
tablespoonful of rice or barley and let it simmer for two
hours ; skim off the fat which rises. A similar soup can be
made from goat's meat.
Plum puddiner, one pound of flour, 1| lb. of Valencia
raisins, | lb. of lard, Uvo tablespoonfuls of sugar, and
sufficient water to make a rather stiff past«. Eggs should
be put in when they can be had, and suet, if obtainable,
would be better than lard. Mix thoi-oughly, put in a cloth,
tie tightly, and boil for four hours.
To boil rice, put a quarter of a pound of rice, washed,
into about 3 pints of boiling water and boil gently for
three quarters of an hour ; strain off" the water and keep
the rice near the fire in the pot so that it can dry.
The water can be drunk as rice water ; if a lime be
squeezed into it and sugar added, a refreshing drink can be
made.
Yams and pawpaw are cut into pieces and boiled
until soft when felt with a fork.
Plain white sauce for pawpaw, <S:c., take ^ oz. of
butter, I oz. of flour, | pint of milk, pepper, salt, a few
drops of lime juice.
Melt the butter in a pan, mix the flour thoroughly with
it, add the milk, and cook well, stirring frequently. Finally
add the juice of the lime, &c.
The chief native dishes are-
Ground nut soup.
Black soup.
Palm oil chop (a liking for this has usually
to be acquired).
For cooking purposes nothing answers so well as
a " JBoilerette," sold by any stores.
59
There is much of practical value that could, with advan-
tage, be aflded to this appendix on cooking recipes ; but
space in this limited booklet does not permit of it. There
is a very sound practical book on cooking entitled
" Practical West African Cookery," by S. Leith-Russ and
G. Ruxton, published by J. W. Moore, East Street,
Chichester, and obtainable through any firm that supplies
provisions and kit. The authoresses, after many years
experience of life in Nigeria, have put their knowledge of
local conditions and food products, available in the country,
within reach of all those who go to West Africa.
6x
60
APPENDIX E.
TREATMENT OF DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS.
Officers should, of course, not attempt to treat themselves
or others except when the help of a medical man cannot be
obtained. The following notes are intended as a guide
when no medical assistance can be had.
Malarial Fever. — Chilliness or shivering, with pains
in the back and legs, with or without sickness, indicate the
necessity of taking the temperature with the thermometer.
If, with these symptoms, the temperature is much above
98'4°, the patient is probably suffering from an attack of
fever. He should go to bed, take a 10 grain dose of
quinine in solution (repeated in tour hours if the temperature
continues high) and a hot drink, and wrap up well in
blankets. This may cut the fever short, but usually the
temperature rises to, or is at Srst found to be, over 103°.
If the bowels are not regular <;ne heaped-up teaspoonful
of Sulphate of Soda in v^ater should be taken before or
after the quinine. Quinine should be taken every four
hours until the fever falls, but each dose except the first
two should be of five grains only.
A temperature of, say, 99°, if unaccompanied by a feeling
of illness, does not necessarily indicate fever, as many people
have a slight rise of temperature when quite well. Men
should avoid the practice of taking temperature when they
have no feeling of illness.
The usual course of the fever is that the patient after
lying in bed for a few hours sweats profusely, and his tem-
perature falls to normal, or near it ; if this occurs at night
he will probably fall asleep. Next morning he had better
take ten grains of quinine, and afterwards five grain doses
every four hours during the day, if the temperature rises
61
again. If the temperature does not rise he need not take a
second dose after the ten grain dose until evening, when he
should take five grains.
On the following da3's five grains should be taken in tlie
morning and five at night for a week, and thereafter, if
there is no more fever, the usual regular do?je.
If vomiting is a prominent symptom, take the patient
to a doctor. In this case the quinine swallowed may not
be absorbed .ind quinine must be administered by other
means.
Where temperature is high, skin remains dry, and
headache is troublesome, two tabloids of Compound
Phenacetin way be ij'ven.
£3
Should the temperature rise to 105° cold sponging must
be resorted to. A friend should stop all draughts, have
the sick man gently lifted on to a waterproof sheet,
keeping his body as horizontal as possible, as he may faint
if he sits up, and sponge him all over with cool water,
while a boy fans him, until the temperature taken in the
lower bowel Is 102°. As an alternative the body may be
covered with thin towels soaked in cool water, and fanned
rapidly, the towels being frequently changed. Water to
sponge a patient can be made several degrees cooler by
adding to it one or two handfuls of salt. Brandy,
vinogar, or Florida water, are valuable additions to the
plain water, as they assist evaporation and thus help to
lower the temperature. Should the temperature rise after-
wards to 104° in the armpit, sponging must again be
re-sorted to. There must be no half measures about cold
sponging, as the patient's life is in imminent danger if the
temperature does not come down.
Suppose the temperature doos not again go above 105'
but continues between 103° and 10^. <ir thereabouts, in
spite of his taking five grains of quinine every four hours,
he should take fifteen grains of quinine twenty hours
after the first two do.scs of ten grains. If this does not
at least reduce the temperature considerably, the patienk
62
should be taken to a doctor when this would be quicker
than sending for a doctor to come to the patient.
The diet in malarial fever should consist of broth,
milk and water, mashed biscuit, or bread and milk. Rice-
water or barley-water may be drank as required.
In grave forms of malarial fever it is absolutely necessary
that the quinine, if administered by the mouth, should be
taken dissolved in water and not in pill or tablet foim.
Yellow Fever.— Should it be known that yellow fever
is about, every case of fever, pending the arrival of a
medical man, should be regarded with su-picion, the patient
placed under a m')squito net, food withheld, absolute rest
insisted on, and fluid freely supplied.
Diarrhoea. — Diarrhoea is often due to the eating of
something injurious, which it is necessary to remove ; it is
theref'ire best to begin treatment with a mild purgative.
Half a teaspoonful of sulphate of soda in water will serve
the purpose. After the sulphate of soda has acted, chloro-
dyne in doses of from five to ten drops may be taken three
times a day in about two tablespoonfuls of water. If the
diarrhoea continues it is best to consult a doctor.
Avoid fruits, highly seasoned or rich dishes, and palm oil
chop. Take soups, boiled chicken, milk puddings, eggs,
bread and milk, and milk and water. Arrowroot is
especially good in diarrhoea.
As precautions against diarrhoea see that all drinking
water is filtered and then boiled ; see that the filter is kept
clean ; av^oid eating too much uuripe < r over ripe fruit or
indigestible dishes ; and prevent chills at night by covering
the abdomen with a blanket. If predisposed to diarrhoea
wear a cholera belt.
Dysentery. — Dysentery is indicated by the presence
of blood and slime in the motions, with diarrhoea and
griping, but stre^iks of blood alone on the stools may be due
to piles. Dysentery is always serious, and if there is not a
quick recovery it is best to travel to some place where
medical treatment can be had.
63
In the meanwhile it is good treatment to take small doses
of sulphate of soda to wash out the poison, a quarter of a
teaspoonful every two hours in water. A quarter of a tea-
spoonful is half what is contained in a teaspoonful only
to the edge (not a heaped up teaspoonful). The food must
mainly consist of rice-water or milk. Milk and water, milk
puddings, rice water, white of eggs beaten up into a froth
and then mixed with milk, water and a little sugar, are
all useful. Arrowroot may be used. The disease should not
be allowed to become chronic.
The precautions against dysentery are the same as those
against diarrhoea. All green foods, such as lettuce used as
salad, should be thoroughly washed three or four times in
boiled water, under personal supervision before being eaten,
as a precaution against diarrhcea and dysentery.
Blackwater Fever. — Cases of blackwater fever usually
occur only in persons who have previously suffered from
several attacks of malarial fever. They are sometimes very
serious, and should always be treated with the utmost
possible care.
If a man passes dark water (urine) of the colour of stout,
and has rigors and a rise of temperature, he is probably
suffering from this disease. He should go to bed at once,
avoid all draughts and chills, and drink plenty of
fluids.
In every case of blackwater fever it is advisable that the
help of a medical man should be obtained as soon as possible.
It is undesirable to move a person suffering from black-
water fever, but it may be permissible in the first twenty-
four hours of the illness, provided that —
(a) there are considerable advantages to be gained
by moving the patient ; «.7., a change from
circumstances of great discomfort to comparative
comfort, or if the pafiont is very distressed and
anxious to be moved, or if the move will result in
his being seen by a doctor much sooner than if he
stays where he is ;
64
(6) the journey can be performed by boat or
otherwise without more than a. minimum of jolting
and shaking, the patient remaining in a recumbent
position throughout ; or
(c) the distance is only a few miles.
The patient's food should be the same as in malarial
fever. Milk and water is the best habitual drink during
this illness. Abundance of it should be drunk with a vinw
to flushing the kidneys and washing the poison out of the
system.
If the temperature rises to 106° cold sponging must be
resorted to as in malarial fever. Should vomiting come on
and continue, an attempt should be made to inject two
tablespoonfuls of milk and half a pint of water every two
hours into the lower bowel by means of a syringe.
For the persistent vomiting, which is such a prominent
feature of most cases of blackwater fever, the following
prescription acts with marked effect : —
3 drops of Tincture of Iodine
3 drops of Pure Carbolic Acid
mixed in a tablespoonful of water and given every time
the patient vomits.
The serious conditions which may arise in blackwater
fever are : —
1. The blood may get poor and scanty.
2. The temperature may rise too high.
3. The patient may sit up when too weak, and as
a result may faint and not recover.
4. The kidneys may get choked with black debris,
or inflamed, and so stop secreting water.
For the preceding four conditions the following treat-
ment should be applied : —
1. Plenty of fluids should be drunk.
2. Cold sponging.
GLOSSINA PALPALIS rob.-desv.
Enlarged Four Times. The Carrier of Sleeping Sickness.
note the dark coloration ofthe body; also the central pale
PATCH ON THE ABDOMEN, AND THE FIVE BLACK SEGMENTS 'tarslj QF
THE HINDMOST PAIR OF LEGS. THE ABDOMEN IS MORE ROUNDED THAN
IT APPEARS IN THE FIGURE. THE PROBOSCIS IS BENT DOWNWARDS; IT
IS THE oalpi THAT ARE VISIBLE.
65
3. The patient must keep lying down.
4. Flannels should be wrung out in hot water,
covered with a large, dry, warm bath towel
and applied to the loins ; or (better when
possible) an india-rubber bottle of hot water
should be applied.
5. Where the officer understands the treatment he
should take saline injections in the lower
bowel ; the injections can be made by dissolving
a teaspoonful of salt in a pint of warm water.
To wring out a hot flannel, place the flannel on a towel,
put the middle of towel and flannel in a washhand basin,
letting the ends of the towel hang outside, pour on hot
water, the flannel can then be wrung out by twisting the
ends of the towel in opposite ways.
Quinine should not be taken in blackwater fever unless
prescribed by a medical officer.
Sleeping Sickness. — This disease, though rare among
Europeans, is found in var'ous parts of West Africa. Tt
is caused by the presence in the blood and tissues of a
microscopic animal germ known as a " Trypanosome," and
is spread from person to person by means of a tset.se fly
{Glossina palpalis : tea diagram). Should this fly bite a
person infected with sleeping sickness and suck his blood,
it may become infected with some of the Trypanosomes
and so become capable of inoculating another person,
whom it may bite later on, with the disease.
Care should be taken, therefore, while in the bush, to
avoid the bites of this and other varieties of tsetse fly.
The flies are e^isily recognised, being roughly about the size
of a '* bluebottl-" or " blow-fly" and of a brown or browu-
ish-gTf y colour ; their appearance when resting is character-
istic, as the wings, instead of lying on the body like the
blades of a half-closed pair of ncissors as in the common
house-fly or " bluebottle," project over the hindir enrl of
the body and are closed one over the other, like the
completely -closed biades of a pair of soisaors.
66
Sleeping sickness is to be recognised in its early stages
by bouts of fever, which apparently resemble the fever
of malaria, but are not cured or controlled by quinine.
In such cases the medical officer should be seen as early as
possible in order that the blood may be properly examined
and suitable treatment given if necessary.
The following notice on this subject has been issued : —
Camps should be chosen away from wooded streams, and
netting should be used when journeying in canoes and
when sitting down during the day on the march. It is not
necessary to have a small mesh — a large coarse net which
will admit air freely should be carried, and erected at
halting places when trekking. Light coloured clothes are
a protection, and a fly switch should be carried.
The following are the main points to be noted : —
1. The disease is practically always transmitted
from a sick person to a healthy one by the bite
of a tsetse fly.
2. The presence of even a single diseased person in
a locality infested by tsetse flies may entail the
infection of a whole community.
3. A tsetse fly is able to retain its power of infec-
tion for some days, probably up to three weeks at least.
4. There are no authenticated instances of the
transmission of the disease from sick persons to
healthy ones in districts where the tsetse fly is not
found.
5. The tsetse fly is nearly always found in the near
neighbourhood of fresh water where the vegetation is
luxuriant and shade abundant. It is only found where
these condit ions exist, and the infested belt is a narrow
one.
6. The flies quickly abandon places where, through
the clearing of vegetation, the conditions favoured by
them are removed.
67
7. The fly and its pupa are sheltered, not by the
large tn es with smooth unbranched stems, but by the
bushes, brushwood or scrub, and it is this which must
be destroyed when measures are being taken to get
rid of them.
8. The time of the day when the flies are most
numoroud is from about 8 a.m. until half-an-hour
before sunset. They are more active in still weathei- —
wind drives them to shelter at once. On a windy day
not one may be seen at a place where in still weather
they abound. They are seldom seen at night.
Indigestion. — Indigestion may often be reUeved by
taking in two tablespoonf uls of water as much bicarbonate
of soda as can be heaped up on a shilling, tljree times a
day, about a quarter of an hour before meals. Indigestion
may be due to quinine taken in tabloid form ; if the tabloid
be dissolved, and taken in solution half an hour after a
good meal, the symptoms of indigestion are found to
improve.
Jig-gerS. — Jiggers are most plentiful in sandy places.
When a jigger is boring into the skin a sensation of
tickling is felt, and an intelligent native should be asked
to remove the jigger.
He must first wash his hands thoroughly with soap and
water, then rinse them with boracic solution. (Directions
for making boracic solution are given at the end of this
section). The European meanwhile should rub some
boracic solution over the place where the jigger is and
prepare a stout needle by passing the point two or three
times through the flame of a match or candle. He should
wash off any black that may bo on the needle with boracic
solution and then let the native pick out the jigger with
the nf-edle. If the native is given plenty of time the
operation will be almost painless.
A small piece of cotton wool or lint soaked in Vx)racic
solution should be placed over the place from which the
jigger has been removed.
68
Do not neglect jiggers or you may give yourself muoh
ueedle'ss suffering.
TumbO Fly. — A very troublesome and painful boil is
caused by thi^i fly depositing a maggot under the skin. It
can be distinguished from -in ordinary boil by a peculiar
intermittent pricking feeling which is caused by the maggot
wriggling. On looking at the apex in the swelling the head
can be seen moving gently. This complaint is alarming
but is not serious, and the maggot can be expelled by
squeezing or, better still, by pulling it out with a fine pair oi
forceps. The small circular opening which is left should
then be dressed with boracic lotion or carbolic ointment.
Prickly Heat. — Use carbolic soap daily in the bath.
After drying yourself, rub all over with fresh undiluted
lime juice and allow to dry on the skin. The underclothing
should bf- changed and washed frequently. Cut down the
amount of liquid consumed, and, as far as po.'isible, avoid
perspiring.
Siig"ht Wounds. — Small cuts should be washed with
cold water which has been boiled, then well sprinkled with
boracic acid powder and covered with a first aid dressing
or a piece of rag which has been boiled and dried in the sun.
Wounds which bleed profusely should have a piece of
gauze from a first aid dressing or a portion of boiled rag
pressed against them tightly enough to control the bleeding,
and should subsequently be dressed like smaller cuts.
Bites of Poisonous Snakes. — Tie immediately a
handkerchief twisted into a rope round the limb above the
wound, and make the handkerchief grip the limb tightly by
passing a piece of stick between the two and twisting the
stick round. Keep it so by securing the stick to the limb.
Make several cuts where the fangs went in, removing the
actual fang marks. Wash the part well with strong
Condy's fluid, .or rub in crystals of permanganate of
potash, or, failing these, use warm boracic solution.
Finally loosen the handkerchief and dress as usual for
small wounds.
69
Poisoned Arrow.— If the wound is ia a limb, tie a
handkerchief as for snake bite. Incise the wound and
syringe it out with warm boracic solution and use the
syrini^e to suck out liquids from the bottom of wound.
Tannic acid, in powder if available, should be applied to
the wound.
Broken Limbs. — If a limb is believed to have been
broken it should have two sticks gently tied to it, one on
each sidb, so as to fix the joints above and below. The
injured man should not be moved until this has been done.
The seriousness of a fracture is much increased if, by rough
handling, the bones are caused to penetrate the skin.
To make Boracic Solution.— Put a heaped-up tea^
spoonful of boracic acid powder into a half-pint tumbler
and add four teaspoonfuls of warm water, mix well, then
fill the tumbler with warm water — water which has boiled
and has cooled somewhat. The solution is then ready for
use. It can be used either hot or cold.
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