The Satires of A. Persius Flaccus Part 18

So soon as we get a Tender (called in America, steam-tug and tow-boat), which will be one of the first things done so soon as we get to Lagos, landing will be as safe at any and all times there as in the harbor at New York or Liverpool. For the information of many intelligent persons who are not aware of it, I would state that a pilot or tender has to take vessels into both of these great seaports on account of shoal water.[9]

Rainy Season

The rainy season usually thought by foreigners to be "wet, muddy, and disagreeable weather," so far from this, is the most agreeable season of the year. Instead of steady rains for several days incessantly, as is common during "rainy weather" in the temperate zones, there is seldom or never rain during a whole day. But every day to a certainty during this season it rains, sometimes by showers at intervals, and sometimes a heavy rain for one, two, or three hours at a time--but seldom so long as three hours--when it clears up beautifully, leaving an almost cloudless sky. The rains usually come up very suddenly, and as quickly cease when done.

Drizzling Rain, Sudden Showers

There is seldom or never such a thing in this part of Africa as a "drizzling" or mizzling rain, all suddenly coming on and as suddenly pa.s.sing off; and should one be out and see indications of an approaching rain, they must hurry to a near shelter, so suddenly does the shower come on.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are sudden gusts or violent storms of wind and rain, which are more or less feared, but which may always be known from other storms on their approach, by the blackness of the clouds above, with the _segment of a circle of lighter cloud_ just beneath the dark, and above the horizon.

Summer

The entire _wet_ season may be justly termed the _summer_ instead of "winter," as the old writers have it; and it is observable that at the commencement of Spring in the temperate zones (March) vegetation starts forth in Africa with renewed vigor.

Winter

_Winter_ is during the _dry_ season, and not the "wet," for the above reason; and it is also worthy of remark, that during autumn in the temperate zone (from October to the last of November) the foliage in Africa begins to fade and fall from the trees in large quant.i.ties.

Harmattans

It is during this season that the _harmattans_ prevail, (from two to three weeks in December) which consist of a _dry cold_ and _not_ a "dry hot" wind as we have been taught; when furniture and wooden-ware _dries_ and _cracks_ for want of moisture, and the thermometer frequently rates as low as 54 deg. Fahr. in the evening and early in the morning; when blankets on the bed will not be out of place, and an evening and morning fire may add to your comfort.

FOOTNOTES:

[9] I have received information from London, that an iron steam Tender has already been sent out to Lagos by an English house.

XVII

CONCLUDING SUGGESTIONS

Native Mariners

It may not be generally known as a fact, which is of no little importance in the industrial economy of Africa, that vessels of every cla.s.s, of all foreign nations, are manned and managed by native Africans, so soon as they enter African waters.

The Krumen are the watermen or marines generally of Africa, going in companies of greater or less numbers, with one in the lead called "headman," who, hiring all the others, makes contracts with a vessel, which is met outside of the roadsteads or harbors, to supply a certain number of men to manage it during her coasting voyage. They usually bring with them the recommendations of all the commanders whose vessels they have managed on the coast. These are generally carried in the hat to prevent getting wet, and sometimes in calabashes, stopped up like a bottle, or in a tin can or case, (when such can be obtained,) suspended by a string like a great square medal around the neck.

So expert have these people become in marine affairs, that, with the exception of navigation, a vessel at sea might be managed entirely by many of those companies of Krumen. Everything that is to be done as the common work of seamen, is done by them during their engagement on the coasting vessels. The agility with which they scale the shrouds and rigging, mounting frequently to the very pinnacle of the main-mast head, or going out to the extreme end of the yard arms, is truly surprising.

In these feats, they are far more dextrous than the white civilians.

The Fever--Stages Of

In cases of real intermittent fever--fever and ague or chills and fever--there are usually three distinct stages when the attack comes on--on what is usually termed _fever day_: the _cold_ or s.h.i.+vering stage, the _hot_ or burning stage, succeeded by the _sweating_.

_Cold Stage_

So soon as there are symptoms of a chill, a cup of quite hot ginger or cinnamon tea--not too strong--may be taken, the person keeping out of the sun, and, if inclined, going to bed and covering warmly. He should always undress, putting on a night-s.h.i.+rt or gown, for the convenience of changing when required. A hot cup of tea, of any kind, is better than nothing, when neither cinnamon nor ginger is convenient.

_Kneading or Friction-Bath. Hot Stage_

During the hot stage, the person must be kept as cool as possible, and when the fever is at its height--and, indeed, it is well to commence long before this--the entire person, from head to foot, should be continually bathed by a free application of cold water, used _plentifully_ and _frequently changed_ during the application, with a large sponge, napkin, or cloth of some kind.

_Lime-Bath_

An excellent addition to the water is the juice of limes or lemons, and _less_ of the first (lime) than the last is required, because of the superior strength of the one to the other.

_Soda_

Soda may also be used in the bath as an adjuvant to the water--not with the lime juice, of course, because they would effervesce or disagree.

When lime or lemon juice is used, care should be taken, in the use of it, that it be not too strong: say, use two lemons, or one and a half limes if large, to a pail of water--as it will produce irritation on all of the tender parts of the person, and even over the general surface. A lime bath once or twice a week, in the absence of all fever, is said to be an excellent hygeian or prophylactic treatment. But, by all means, don't neglect the cold water application during the hot stage.

_Sweating Stage_

So soon as the sweating commences, the patient must have sufficient covering to prevent taking cold, which is then very readily done, in consequence of the general relaxation of the system and open state of the pores. When the sweating ceases, the s.h.i.+rt or gown must be immediately taken off, the entire person sponged off in clear lukewarm or air-cold water, fresh clean clothes put on, the sheets and wet bed-clothes removed by clean ones supplying their places; and in no case must a person ever be permitted to keep on the same clothes after the sweating stage, as the _virus_ or fever-poison is expelled through the medium of the sweat and pores, and consequently absorbed by the clothing. The clothes should be changed _every day_, whether there be perspiration or not.

_All the stages_

Either of these symptoms is to be treated as advised, independently of the other in the order of arrangement.

Fatigue-Clothes--Caution

Persons should be careful not to sleep in sweaty clothes, especially those in which they have traveled; and they should be cautious not to sleep in the same clothes worn on any day, as before but slightly alluded to. Clean, unsoiled night-clothes should be put on every evening, and those which may be worn again should be well aired and sunned during the day.

Colonization--an Error in Philanthropy

The Colonization Society has committed a great error in its philanthropic arrangements of providing for _six months' pa.s.siveness_ after going to Africa. The _provisions, for those who require them_, I do not object to, but the _pa.s.siveness_ is fatally injurious.

Activity Conducive to Health

Instead of going to Africa and quietly sitting down in utter idleness, in antic.i.p.ation _waiting in anxious expectation for the fever to come_--in which cases the person becomes much more susceptible--did they go directly about some active employment, to keep both mind and body properly exercised, I am certain that there would not be one-fourth of the mortality that there is even now, which is comparatively little.