This section is from the book "Wild Life In Central Africa", by Denis D. Lyell. Also available from Amazon: Wild Life in Central Africa.
Quinine, vegetable laxative, calomel, Livingstone's rousers (good for natives), boracic acid powder (most useful), phenacetin, permanganate of potash, carbolic oil, toothache cure, lint, surgical needles and thread, scissors, forceps, tourniquet, sticking plaster, adhesive tape, vaseline, safety pins, bandages, lancet, etc.
Most of these things will be used for treating natives,, who often get bad cuts and scratches. The most common complaint among them is constipation, which causes fever and headaches ; and their cuts are treated so badly that they often develop into large ulcers.
For the sportsman the best drink is hot tea, as the water for it has to be boiled, which kills dangerous germs. When one is hot and tired, nothing is more refreshing than tea, and if I go off for a day in the bush, I usually carry a small kettle and some tea and sugar, as well as a little food, such as bread, biscuits, a tin of sardines, and some jam or honey.
It is wise to carry plenty of tinned milk, and also a good supply of hops and baking powder, to make good bread or scones. Some cooks can make excellent bread with native beer, and, when this is well fermented, it makes the flour rise as well as the best prepared hops.
Tobacco can be bought in Nyasaland, as it is grown locally, and the price is about 2s. 6d. per pound. It is rather rank, but one can get accustomed to it.
While mentioning rifles, I omitted to note the amount of ammunition necessary for a six months' trip. For the small-bore, 100 rounds per month, which totals 600 rounds, would be more than ample; and out of this 200 might be loaded with solid bullets and 400 expanding, either Dum-dum, hollow, slit, or soft nose.
For the large bore, if one is taken, 200 solids and fifty expanding would be quite sufficient for the same time.
A bag, known as a rucksac, is very handy at times, and it is large enough to take a blanket, a waterproof sheet, and a change of clothing, should one intend sleeping out for a night.
I repeat that it is unwise to make a habit of sleeping on the ground, though a night spent so on occasions will harm no one if it is the dry season, when there is no damp about.
If one takes care not to catch sudden chills and get bitten by mosquitos, rather impossible in some places, the health will not suffer; and if the sportsman is troubled with fever, it is good advice for him to take quinine regularly, as it is the only drug yet discovered that is a preventive of that complaint.
Finally, when shooting at game, get close, and make sure of the shot. Of course, one can get too close at times, and lose a good chance by trying to get too near; but the majority of game that is sent away wounded has been hit by long, uncertain shots when standing in a bad position. Do not aim at the whole animal, but carefully pick the spot that you wish to hit, and this depends on the angle at which the animal is standing.
Needless to say, this advice is for beginners, and not for experienced hunters.
 
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