The farmer and mechanic., 1909-10-12

"Pellagra has been known in ltaiv
for a long time, and 1t was prouSli' u
to Africa by Italian immigrants, 1or
before this the Africans did not nave
such a disease. The caravans pass
ing through with italians brought
the germs, and it was some thirty
years ago that the disease first became
known among us. From what nave
learned of it l do not regard 1t as
either infectious or contagious, but
think it is from germs, just as typhold
fever or malarial fever The caravan
trade from country to country in
Africa evidently spread the germs, ana
we had pellagra to contend with, that
disease IN the African tongue belng
known as 'egbesey. As 1t developed
there was of course study as to now
to cure it. and While the physicians,
the scientists, had their methods, the
natives, who are allowed to use ma
tive herbs and methods both among
the whites and Africans, found RENE
dies in native roots and herbs, max
ing such cures that no longer is pei
lagra dreaded in Africa
"Egbesey, or pellagra, while show
ing it's course on the skin is an un-
der-skin disease, developed inside the
system and showing in a scaly rising
on the skin. Being generated within
the system the signs are however va
rious and irregular in different people.
There comes with the disease an IN
termittent fever a breaking down OF
the system, which weakens the Sill
ferer, and a peculiarly fetid breath.
Then comes the scaly formations on
the skin, q breaking out about the
neck and face and the points, the dis
ease showing Itself over the body in
scaly itching form, the patient be-
coming anemic, and sometimes al
fected with gout. After this as,
Ia ia FREQUENT
vomiting and insanity.
AT first there was much OF the
disease, but as remedies were dlScoV-
cred it was checked and has wonder
fully decreased. have heard Of the
use of corn bread being assigned as
the cause Of pellagra, and while |
do not say it cannot come from corn
bread, yet in Africa where they have
this disease they do not eat corn
bread Yet in this country where the
system or manner OF preparing or
curing corn is so very bad 1T may
have sorne affect. We raise corn III
Africa, but we do not use it or pre-
pare it as is done in America. From
it we make a kind Of blanc mango
which is used just as the regular
blanc mango and is a good thing for
the sick. After the corn is gathered
it is heated to temperature OF 200
degrees Fahrenheit, this heating SO
on a scaffold. This scaffold is built
with four upright posts. and upon
these posts is made q Kind Of lattice
work Under this lattice work is the
fire and on the lattice frame the corn
is placed, being dried out by the heat
beneath. This drives out all germs
and the corn is fit to use for making
blanc mango there being no chance
for to become musty or mOuldy
or to germinate and become germ
breeding ground.
''Now, as TO the treatment issued in
Africa. One is by the regular ply
who use external and internal
treatment, the remedies having in
them arsenic. eastern syrup, the ex-
ternal treatment being With an ar
senical paste and chrysophanic acid,
with base of lanoline. A diet of
malt extracts and malt phosphates,
with calcium and sodium is used,
while great care is taken in using an
tiseptics for the faces and sputum.
The native treatment is by means Of
a remedy made from six herbs. the
roots of some being used and while
the physicians with scientific methods
cure about 65 per cent of the patients.
the natives cure a far greater per
cent with the simple remedy, used ex-
and Internally. OF the six
herbs used some are obtained from
the mountains, the herbs being dried
and pulverized for external use and
an infusion made for internal use
The preparation for external use is
known to US as ''Shea-butter," the pull
verized herbs being made into a paste
with various oils. The LIQUID and the
powder being mixed with milk for in
ternal use. 1t is a simple prepara-
ton and except for the cost OF i'm
portation is not eXpe nsive.
"Of course you do not expect me to
give you the names Of the herbs We
use in Africa, for that would be Civ
ng away my own knowledge. While |
[ will not give this information, yet
when / get the herbs | have sent for
will prepare some and have the
exhibited and tested I will |