The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-08
WHITE FOLKS IN AFRICA.
THEY nrhH KEEP FAIRLY HEALTHY
III THEY LIVE PROPERLY.

THEY lLAY KEEP FAIRLY HEALTHY
III THEY LIVE PROPERLY.
n nssurnea missionary TELLS or the Cn.ata
Reoa. and Precautions Heeaea to Preserve
uealth-whites Ray Rave on Native Cook
err with q Rew Thinss fron Homs-
"Afrioa was long dreaded on account Of its
climate" said Mrs. Nehne, q returned mission
airy, the other day. "0nly . dozen years ago
white persons were regarded a. foolhardy who
went there. There seemed nothing but death
before the white pioneers, and very many sacrt
need their lives.
"Now 1t IL quito different. Even white women
can live in Africa for years. still It IL not fair
TO say that the climate has changed In tho least
We must rather say that the whites have
learned from experience how to counteract tho
climatic influences and are bettcr able to live
thore now thnn formerly. Generally. IL persons
are careful and do not abuse themselves in any
way, they have a fair chance Of standing tho
wear and tear Of tropical life; but q white per
son cannot live like an African native on tho
'root-hog-ordie' principle, but must gradually
get used to the changed conditions. Many valu-
able lives have been lost because men and
women expected to live and work like tho
natives; but aiasi their mistake soon cost them
their lives. Even the strongest wero not able
to stand 1t, and then the climate was blamed
for 1t.
"Others among the officials and merchants
live IMMORAL lives, drinking and oarousing from
morning till night They, too, soon have to pay
for their folly, and again tho climate gets the
blame.
Tho climate of the French Congo is, I be-
lieve, q fair specimen Of Equatorial Africa. 1t
IL certainly trying to all. 1t seems strange to
the white residents to be obliged TO close their
doors and windows right after shutdown. at q
nt,1.oI IL l.-, h.~;na 81 Gan &ko- .-l
makes everything very damp. The temperature
varies greatly. From April to October. which Ia
our dry time on the French Congo. tho Their
mometer is often down aslow as So Fair. during
the night and early morning, but rises in tho
daytime to So, and even higher. This change
is what produces most Of the fevers and other
illnesses occurring during the dry time.
THE rainy season. or rather our summer time,
10 warmer, and the temperature Is more equablo,
seldom falling below 80. The heat is most op-
pressive during the short dry spell in January.
At this time q breeze is q very desirable luxury,
but 10 often longed for In vain.
Still, with al tho heat during the summer.
one may enjoy fair health. The climatic changes
would not create such havoc IL the houses OF the
whites were built differently and q fireplace or
every room, 80 that the dampness and chill
could be taken out OF the night air. Most of the
one is compelled to sit in partial darkness until
the sun stands high enough TO dry the dew and
"stiI, fevers will come to all, and tho expe-
rionces Of the newcomers are sometimes amusing
TO the older residents. Even the strongest are
like babies during the first few attacks OF rover,
and every one thinks he is surely going to die;
but after 4 few attacks one finds that levers are
like getting used to them. Plenty of blankets,
plenty of hot tea. or coffee with lime Juice, and
an abundance of quinine are all that is neces-
sary to bring speedy recovery II everything else
Fever is often induced by eating pineapples
or other fruit AT an imprOner time The morn
ing seems to DO the only proper time for eating
fruit, and pineapples are not very safe for any
one in that climate. especially when they are
gathered in the hot sun.
The native food is very good eating for those
the native manner. AT first no one likes 1t. but
one gets used to 1t, IL compelled to do SO. The
'meaca.' as the natives cali it. This root Is
sometimes twelve to eighteen inches in length
a point. The planting is done late in August, a
few weeks before the heavy rains come on. The
plants take 81 root quickly. It takes the roots from
when the roots have matured they are dug
up, pared and then soaked in water for two days
the roots are soft they are taken out, washed,
into tho storeroom ready for cooking. They are
then scraped and cut into small pieces an inch
steamer is prepared in a novel way. Into an
iron pot pieces of bamboo are placed in layers
as to nearly cover tho bamboo. Then leaves re
put over this and on the sides. Small holes are
punched through the leaves to let'the steam pass.
Now the steamer is ready and the pieces OF
cassava root are laid in until the pot 10 filled and
II is then covered with leaves which are secured
with splints Of bamboo. Half an hour OF steam
ing finishes the process.
Then the pot is removed from the fire and I'M
covered. Plates are ready and a bowl OF clean
water is standing near to enable the cook TO wet
her hands when handling the hot pieces. A ma
tive never eats anything hot
Another way to prepare the cassavai Is to make
native bread OF it
bananas and plantains grow in abundance,
II they are properly. cultivated. They are rel
ished by natives and Europeans and formed a
welcome addition 10 our table at all times boiled,
districts. but grows too sparingly to be, of much
account. Peanuts are plentiful and beans are
grown also. A kind OF sweet potato grows which
and not nearly 30 sweet. A small tomato grows
well In Central Africa, but cabbage, lettuce,
peas, and the vegetables We relish at home can
only be grown during the dry season with q
great deal OF trouble.
Fish abounds in sea and river. and oyster
beds, too. are. found In some places. Game 10
plentiful-birds, antelopes. deer, and bush pigs.
A native hunter can procure game easily, al
though white residents are not very successful.
Fresh meat Is far more healthful than anything
can BIO bought of the natives and are quite
cheap. Some Of the natives eat monkeys and
snakes. / have tried monkey and found 1t very
good. but We drew the line at snakes and tigers,
Elephant and hippopotamus arc very good
eating, but rather coarse and tough. .After all,
when one gets accustomed to native living 1t lie
from Europe. such as -four, sugar, butter. and
fruit, not to forget tea, coffee. and medicines
The natives have some very good medicines,
but I never felt like trusting them. and we al.
ways preferred to doctor ourselves. With all It's
trials Africa Is not nearly so bad a place as most
persons think. and life there can DO made com.
Portable in spite of the climate"
r. E-lHa nm, InDTrynr