here perceived that the fashions of Tripoly had travelled eastward
for green tea was served up with the sherbet instead of coffee, very
sweet, and very highly perfumed. On taking our leave, we were
again assured by the Shekh that he would send us the camels
very shortly; but although we had every reason to be satisfied with
BelcAzi, so far as professions and civilities extended, we had already
seen enough of the Mahometan character to know that his promises
should not be depended upon.
We had scarcely been a day at Mesurata before the report of our
having a tibeeb (or doctor) in our party soon brought us a multitude
of visiters; and the demand for medicine became so extensive, that
the contents of twenty medicine-chests, such as that which we had
with us, would not have satisfied one-half of the applicants. By far
the greater number of those who presented themselves had nothing
whatever the matter with them; but there were still many cases of
real distress which required and obtained assistance. The most prevalent
diseases were those of the eye, and there were many very
alarming cases of dysentery; but Mr. Campbell's attention and
medical skill soon began to produce very favourable symptoms, and
as much of the medicine as could possibly be spared was administered
to and distributed amongst those who required it. As is
usual, however, in barbarous countries, there were many simple beings
whom it was impossible to convince that the powers of medicine are
limited, and they were so fully persuaded of Mr. Campbell’s omnipotence,
that he soon found it useless to deny it. To meet this
emergency he found it better to make up some little harmless ingredients
for their use, and to tell them that the rest was in the hands
of the prophet, who had alone (under Allah) the power to cure
them completely. With this declaration, and the medicine together,
without which they would by no means have been satisfied,
the petitioners used to retire well pleased with their physician, and
convinced that the draught or the powders which they had received
would infallibly remove their infirmity, however incurable it might be.
A young woman, in the-mean time, who resided near the tents,
was attacked, .after eating a quantity of bazeen*, with a violent
headache and pain in the stomach; and a celebrated MarAbut, who
had lately arrived at Mesurata, was called in to administer his assistance.
The holy man did not refuse to comply with the summons;
and when he made his appearance at the door of her tent, Mr.
Campbell, and such of our party who were near, were led by curiosity
to the same place; and taking up, unperceived, an advantageous
position, were able to understand, with the assistance of the interpreter,
the whole of the conversation which ensued.
The Shereef (for he claimed, or possessed, the distinction) was no
sooner made acquainted with the case than he assumed a most mysterious
air; and began by declaring to his suffering patient that she
was possessed by an underground spirit. He then proceeded to
* Bazeen (the composition and manufacture of wAich is well described by Captain
Lyon, p. 49) is the common food of the lower clasees of Arabs in the regency of
Tripoly, and appears to have been a very ancient one; for we find it mentioned by Leo
Atricanus as being m use among the same people, in his account of Tripoly.-—f5“ Dartp
page 72.) ’ ,