Volltext Seite (XML)
CHAP. XIV. APPLICATIONS FOR MEDICAL AID. 389 The chief officer again rose, and said the Queen of Mada gascar desired to be friendly with all foreign nations; that she regarded none as her enemies; and wished to maintain friendly intercourse with the people of all coimtries. Soon afterwards the conversation ended, and the company separated. As we went out, M. Laborde, accompanied by his son and the priest, took my arm in his, and led the way to my palanquin, where we parted with mutual salutations. Without any pretension to a knowledge of medicine beyond such as had been acquired from books, by a few months’ attendance at a colonial dispensary, and nearly ten years’ residence in a place where there was no European medical practitioner, even to meet the requirements of my own family, I had taken out with me to Madagascar a small quantity of the most common and useful medicines, and had often found them very acceptable to the foreigners as well as the natives. The examiners at the native Custom House had opened the case containing these, and also my photographic chemicals; and as everything of the kind was supposed to he medicine, my supply was considered to he abundant, and applications were proportionately frequent. Madagascar appears to be rich in medicinal plants. The natives are acquainted with the properties of many; but they are very anxious to obtain European medicine, and even send occasionally to Mauritius for a supply. Since my arrival at the capital, applications for medicine had been numerous; and before sunrise one morning a note was brought while I was dressing, informing me that the bearer was an officer of rank, and would be glad if I could render him any medical assistance. He himself was outside in his palanquin. In a short time he entered, accom panied by two chiefs and followed by attendants. I found he had been one of the youths placed by Radama on board English ships of war to learn seamanship, and that he had been several years in a vessel commanded by Commodore