A Liberian Journey

Creator

Richard Pearson Strong

Date

8/27/26

Coverage

Malarshanshue, Hinterland, Liberia

Transcription

August 27th, Reppues town.

Arrived here yesterday at 1: 20 P. M. The creeks along the trail were swollen and it was necessary to wade in water up to our waists in order to cross two of them. It was a hot march and the sun came out and was “fierce” for about half the march. I started with 130 porters yesterday, bringing Allen and Coolidge with me -- four and a half hours’ march. The trail leading more easterly yesterday and at times veering slightly to the south. We are in sight of a range of hills possibly 1000 ft. high. Our present altitude is about 320 feet. I passed through Malarshanshue and Sharlarquelleh yesterday, the latter half way between here and Memmeh town. This is a large village. As usual we are housed in the communal hall, surrounded on all sides by the staring inhabitants, most of which are Mpesses. The chief occupation of these people is said to be in <space> loot, cattle and slaves. There are two cows about the town and one old horse, a stallion, a rare sight. This town is full of children and yaws is prevalent. Most of the children have it when very young and the lesions are not severe or extensive.

I have to do in Liberia what I have never done before, namely, to camp in the center of towns where malaria is endemic and where every anopheles mosquito is certainly infected. However it is unavoidable until we can get to a place where we can establish a base camp. Fortunately, mosquitoes are rare. My greatest difficulty, and it is a real one, is to secure sufficient porters to move us and our supplies. However, I anticipated this, as is evident from my earlier notes. The women are more curious than the men in these towns. They stand around at night and watch us undress and take our baths in our canvas tubs.

I have just held a clinic in this town of some 200 people. Yaws is the most common, but only among the children. A very marked case of large angry ring worm in a man, and numerous cases of vitiligo, particularly in the older but also in some of the younger adults, this last involving arms, forearms, hands and feet, more commonly the wrists and hands. The only other complaints are fever, pains in the extremities, and stomach trouble.

Type

Diary

Citation