Ophthalmia is very little known in the Hedjaz. I saw a single
[p.242] instance of leprosy, in a Bedouin at Tayf. The elephantiasis and Guinea-worm are not uncommon, especially the former, of which I have seen many frightful cases. It is said that stone in the bladder is frequent at Mekka, caused, perhaps, by the peculiar quality of the water; to the badness of which many other diseases also may be ascribed in this hot country, where such quantities of it are daily drunk. I heard that the only surgeons who knew how to perform the operation of extracting the stone from the bladder, are Bedouins of the tribe of Beni Sad, who live in the mountains, about thirty miles south of Tayf. In time of peace, some of them repair annually to Mekka, to perform this operation, the knowledge of which they consider as a secret hereditary in some families of their tribe. They are said to use a common razor, and, in general, with success.
Sores on the legs, especially on the shin-bone, are extremely common both at Mekka and Djidda; but more so at the latter place, where the dampness of the atmosphere renders their cure much more difficult; indeed, in that damp climate, the smallest scratch, or bite of any insect, if neglected, becomes a sore, and soon after an open wound: nothing is more common than to see persons walking in the streets, having on their legs sores of this kind, which, if neglected, often corrode the bone. As their cure demands patience, and, above all, repose, the lower classes seldom apply the proper remedies in time; and when they have increased to such a state as to render their application indispensably necessary, no good surgeons are to be found; fever ensues, and many of the patients die. I believe that one-fourth of the population of Djidda is constantly afflicted with ulcers on their legs; the bad nature of these sores is further aggravated by the use of seawater for ablutions.
During my stay at Mekka, I seldom enjoyed perfect good health. I was twice attacked by fever; and, after the departure of the Syrian Hadj, by a violent diarrha, from which I had scarcely recovered when I set out for Medina. In those days, even when I was free from disease, I felt great lassitude, a depression of spirits, and a total want of appetite. During the five days of the Hadj, I was luckily in good
[p.243] health, though I was under great apprehensions from the consequences of taking the ihram. My strength was greatly diminished, and it required much effort, whenever I left my room, to walk about.
I attributed my illness chiefly to bad water, previous experience having taught me that my constitution is very susceptible of the want of good light water, that prime article of life in eastern countries. Brackish water in the Desert is perhaps salutary to travellers: heated as they are by the journey, and often labouring under obstructions from the quality of their food on the road, it acts as a gentle aperient, and thus supplies the place of medicinal draughts; but the contrary is the case when the same water is used during a continued sedentary residence, when long habit only can accustom the stomach to receive it. Had I found myself in better health and spirits, I should probably have visited some of the neighbouring valleys to the south, or passed a few months among the Bedouins of the Hedjaz; but the worst effect of ill health upon a traveller, is the pusillanimity which accompanies it, and the apprehensions with which it fills the mind, of fatigues and dangers, that, under other circumstances, would be thought undeserving of notice.
The current price of provisions at Mekka in December, 1814, was as follows:—
Piastres. Paras. 1 lb. of beef …………………….. 2 10 1 lb. of mutton …………………… 20 1 lb. of camels flesh …………….. 10 1 lb. of butter …………………… 5 1 lb. of fresh unsalted cheese ……… 3 A fowl …………………………… 6 An egg …………………………… 0 8 1 lb. of milk …………………….. 2 1 lb. of vegetables, viz. leek, spinach, turnips, radishes, calabashes, egg- plants, green onions, petrosiles, &c…. 0 30
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Piastres. Paras. A small, round, flat loaf of bread ….. 0 20 1 lb. of dry biscuits ……………… 0 32 1 lb. of raisins from Tayf …………. 1 20 1 lb. of dates ……………………. 0 25 1 lb. of sugar (Indian) ……………. 2 10 1 lb. of coffee …………………… 2 20 A pomegranate …………………….. 0 15 An orange ………………………… 0 15 A lemon, (the size of a walnut, the Same species as the Egyptian lemon) 0 10 1 lb. of good Syrian tobacco ……….. 6 1 lb. of common tobacco ……………. 1 30 1 lb. of tombac, or tobacco for the Persian pipe …………………… 3 1 keyle of wheat ………………….. 3 1 do. of flour ……………………. 3 20 1 do. of Indian rice ………………. 3 1 do. Of lentils from Egypt ………… 2 30 1 do. Of dried locusts …………….. 1 A skin of water …………………… 1 20 As much wood as will cook two dishes … 0 20 A labourer for the day …………….. 3 A porter for going in town the distance Of half a mile …………………. 1 Common wages of servants,[FN#1] besides Clothes and food, per month …….. 30 Wages of craftsmen, as smiths, carpen- ters, &c. per day, besides food ……….5