The survey parties engaged in mapping the Gold Coast began their third field season in West Africa in October. About 15,000 square miles have already been surveyed. The greater part of the country is covered with dense tropical forest, and deluged between June and October with torrential rains, which are followed from December to March by a thick dusty mist, the "harmattan." There are* dry winds that shrink and split all the woodwork in the surveyor's outfit, and "minor" troubles of the explorers are snakes malaria, mosquitoes, scorpions, jiggers', jumbo flies, and guinea-worms. The jigger is a small flea that burrows and lays eggs under the toe nails, requiring expert treatment to avoid serious consequences. Jumbo-flies, like big housefiies, lay eggs beneath the skin, which subsequently "hatch" out as boils. The guinea-worm is accidentally consumed in drinking water, r.tid eventually appears again in the shape of a lump in the lea.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17629, 5 December 1922, Page 4
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151Untitled Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17629, 5 December 1922, Page 4
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