The winds of the desert produce complaints in the stomach, cured by
34 medicine. They have professed surgeons and physicians. The bite of
a snake is cured by sucking the wound. They have the jlob[68]
violently, for which sulphur from Terodant in Suse is taken
internally and externally. This disorder is sometimes fatal. They
are afflicted also with fevers and agues. Bleeding is often
successful; the physicians prescribe also purgatives and emetics.
Ruptures are frequent and dangerous; seldom cured, and often fatal.
They tap for the dropsy. He never heard of the venereal disease
there. Head-aches and consumptions also prevail. The physicians[69]
collect herbs and use them in medicine.
[Footnote 68: Probably the itch, called El Hack in Barbary.]
[Footnote 69: The physicians have a very superior and general
knowledge of the virtues of herbs and plants.]