Page 224 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

XI.] COAST OF ARABIA. 205

who discern their arrival from the hills, fre­
quently bring sheep, water, and other sup­

plies for sale. The limbs and bodies of many
Bedowins whom we saw here were extensively
scarified by the application of hot irons, a
native remedy in great repute for rheumatic
and other local affections. In addition to
these marks, one man bore on his cheek, just
below the eye, the remains of a deep incision
which had been made in order to counteract
the effects of the bite of a snake.

While at anchorage here a Bedowin brought
his son, a lad about eighteen, on board for
surgical assistance. In some marauding ex­
pedition his thigh-bone had been shattered
by a musket-ball, and had since been so ne­
glected as already to betray indications of
incipient mortification. In addition to this,
the hectic flush of consumption tinged his
cheek; so that altogether he was truly an
object of the deepest commiseration. “ He
should lose his leg,” said our surgeon to his
father, after inspecting the wound ; “ but that

cannot be: we leave to-morrow; and I should
require to have him under my charge for some
days.” “ Let not that trouble thee, O Frank!”