in the national circulating medium.  There are, however, few copper coins, the pieces of ten or five faddah (or parahs), whereas silver and gold abound.  As regards the latter metal, strangers should mistrust all small pieces, Turkish as well as Egyptian.  “The greater part are either cut or cracked, or perhaps both, and worn down to mere spangles:  after taking them, it will not be possible to pass them without considerable loss.”  Above all things, the traveller must be careful never to change gold except in large towns, where such a display of wealth would not arouse suspicion or cupidity; and on no occasion when travelling even to pronounce the ill-omened word “Kis” (purse).  Many have lost their lives by neglecting these simple precautions. [FN#16] Some prefer a long chain of pure gold divided into links and covered with leather, so as to resemble the twisted girdle which the Arab fastens round his waist.  It is a precaution well known to the wandering knights of old.  Others, again, in very critical situations, open with a lancet the shoulder, or any other fleshy part of the body, and insert a precious stone, which does not show in its novel purse. [FN#17] Any “Companion to the Medicine Chest” will give, to those that require such information, the names of drugs and instruments necessary for a journey; but it must be borne in mind that hot countries require double quantities of tonics, and half the allowance of cathartics necessary in cold climates.  Sonnini, however, is right when he says of the Egyptian fellahs, that their stomachs, accustomed to digest bread badly baked, acrid and raw vegetables, and other green and unwholesome nourishment, require doses fit only for horses.  Advisable precautions are, in the first place, to avoid, if travelling as a native, any signs of European manufacture in knives, scissors, weights, scales and other such articles.  Secondly, glass bottles are useless:  the drugs should be stowed away in tin or wooden boxes, such as the natives of the country use, and when a phial is required, it must be fitted into an etui of some kind.  By this means, ground glass stoppers and plentiful cotton stuffing, the most volatile essences may be carried about without great waste.  After six months of the driest heat, in Egypt and Arabia, not more than about one-fourth of my Prussic acid and chloroform had evaporated.  And, thirdly, if you travel in the East, a few bottles of tincture of cantharides-highly useful as a rubefacient, excitant, et cetera-must never be omitted.  I made the mistake of buying my drugs in England, and had the useless trouble of looking after them during the journey.  Both at Alexandria and Cairo they are to be found in abundance, cheaper than in London, and good enough for all practical purposes.

[p.29]Chapter iii.

The Nile Steamboat-the “Little asthmatic.”