The Cold Weather.—Towards the end of September the wind begins to blow from the north and a great change takes place. The fever decreases, until by the end of November there are only a few cases in hospital. The weather is delightfully cool and the breezes bracing and refreshing.
The Hot Weather.—The heat in El Obeid and Western Kordofan is not as great as in other parts of the Sudan; the maximum temperature being rarely above 106° Fahr., whilst the nights remain delightfully cool until the rains appear.
Altitude above the sea level, compiled by Major Prout, 1876:—[120]
| Feet. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helba | 1,381 | |||
| Bara | 1,622 | Wells | 20 | feet deep. |
| El Obeid | 1,919 | „ | 80-130 | „ „ |
| Faki Don | 1,743 | „ | 120 | „ „ |
| Hamdaui | 1,734 | „ | 110 | „ „ |
| Magenis | 1,820 | „ | 80 | „ „ |
| Um Dobau | 1,704 | „ | 15 | „ „ |
| Gumburra | 1,853 | |||
| Tibri | 2,072 | |||
| Um Ratali | 1,994 | |||
| Shitangul | 1,998 | |||
| Aboir Tine | 1,789 | |||
| Abu Sinun Hella | 1,928 |
Health.Most diseases in Kordofan may be included under one of two heads—malarial and venereal. Were it not for these classes of disease Kordofan might be considered a healthy country.
Malaria.—The fever is, perhaps, more often of the remittent type. Those attacked for the first time almost invariably have remittent fever; the subsequent attacks are either remittent or intermittent. During January and February, which are otherwise healthy months, a particularly sudden and severe type of remittent fever has been noticed. A patient, previously well, will lose consciousness in the course of an hour, and either die in a state of coma or only recover after weeks of convalescence. This apparently is the result of malaria contracted during the rains, as Egyptian and British officers who have spent a wet season here and afterwards left the district, have been attacked in this way whilst on leave in Cairo and England. The good effect of hypodermic injections of hydro-bromide of quinine in fever of this kind is worth recording.
Venereal Diseases of every kind rage, except in Dar Nuba, where the people make great efforts to prevent the spread of these diseases. Travellers should take precautions to prevent their guides and servants drinking out of their water-bottles.
Water-borne Diseases.—Of diseases traceable to an impure water supply there has been a remarkable freedom in El Obeid itself. In this garrison there have been only a few cases of dysentery and diarrhœa during the last three years. Amongst the inhabitants of the country further south, who derive their water supply from rain water collected in hollows during the rainy season or from shallow wells during the dry season, this is not always the case, as many cases of dysentery, tape worm, guinea worm (very prevalent), etc., coming from these parts testify.
Guinea Worm.—With regard to the guinea worm, there is not sufficient evidence to prove that it is contracted by washing or wading in water, as the natives state. It in all probability is taken into the system with drinking water. To avoid this pest all surface water or water that is likely to have been fouled by the natives wading in it (for the ova are introduced into the water in this way) should be boiled before being drunk.
Small-Pox is still common in the southern part of the district, and the faces of many of the inhabitants are scarred in consequence.