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Fitzpatricks Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology Eighth Edition 8th Edition Ebook PDF
Fitzpatricks Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology Eighth Edition 8th Edition Ebook PDF
Preface xxiii
Acknowledgment
How to Use This Book
.Approach to Dcrmatol.oglc Dlagnos!a
Outline ofDermatologlc Diagnosis
D Special Clinical and Laboratory Aids to Dermatologic Diagnosis
Contac:t Dermatlti8 20
Irritant Contact Dermatiti8 (lCD) 20
Acute Irritant Contact Dermatitis 21
Chronic Irritant Contact Dermatitis 23
Special Forms of lCD 25
Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) 25
Special Forma of ACD 29
Allergic Contact Dermatitis Caused by Plants 29
Other Special Forms of ACD 32
Systemic ACD 32
Airborne ACD 32
Atoplc:Dermadtls 34
Suggested Algorithm of AD Management 40
Uchen Simplex Chronlcus (LSC) 40
Prurigo Nodularis (PN) 42
Dyahfdrotic E<:zematou DermatitiJ 43
Nummular Eczema 44
AutolleDiitization Dermatitis 45
SeborrlaeU: Dermatitil 46
Alteatotic Dermatitil 49
vii
CONTENTS
SECTION 4
ICHTHYOSES 72
DomiDant Ichthyosls Vulprla (DIV) 72
X-LIDkcd.Rec:enlve Idrtbyosla (XLRI) 75
Lamellar Idrth:yosls (LI) 77
~lclermolytic: Hyperkeratoela (EH) 79
Ic.hthyom in dle Newborn 80
CoUoclionBaby 80
Harlequin Fetul 81
Syuclromic IchthyOSCI 82
Acquired Ichthyoses 84
Inherited Keratoderm.as of Palms and Solea 84
SECTIONS
•
__
..___
SECTION 9
BENIGN NEOPLASMS AND HYPERPLASIAS 141
Disorders ofMelanoqtes 141
Acquired Melanoc:ytic: Nevi (MN) 141
Halo Melanoqtic Nevus 146
Blue Nevus 148
Nevus Spilus 149
Spitz Nevus 151
Mongolian Spot 152
NevusofOta 153
Vuailar'I'umol'l and MilformatiODI 154
Vuc:ular Tumol'l 155
Hemangioma of.Infancy (HI) 155
Pyogenic: Granuloma 158
Glomus Thmor 159
Vascular Malformations 160
Capillary Malformation• 160
Port-Wme Stain 160
Spider Angioma 162
Venous Lake 163
Cherry Angioma 164
Angiokeratoma 165
Lymphatic .Malformation 167
"Lymphangioma'" 167
CapWaryNenout Malformations (CVMs) 168
MJ.OOianeout Cyab and Pseudoc:y~te 170
Epidermoid Cyst 170
Tric:hJ.1.emmal Cyst 171
Epl.dermal Induston Cyst 171
Milium 172
Digital Myxoid Cyst 173
CONTENTS
SECTION 12
Vdiligo 280
~Aiblni1J11 287
Melasma 289
Pipnentary <llanps Followiq Inftammatlon of the Skin 290
Hyperpigmentation 290
Hypopigmentation 293
374
Skin D:laeaaea Aaaociated with Diabetea Mdlitua 374
Diabetic Bullae 375
"Diabetic Foot" and Diabetic Neuropathy 376
Diabetic Dermopathy 377
Neaobl.osis lJpo1dlca 378
Cu8hlng Syndrome and Hyperc:o.rtlc:lam 379
Grave& Disease anclllf.perthyroidlsm 380
Hypothyrolcllsm and Myudema 380
Addilon Diseue 382
Metabolic ed Nutritiood Conditions 383
Xanthomas 383
Xanthe1amaa 385
Xanthoma Te.n.dineum 385
Xanthoma Thberosum. 385
Eruptive Xanthoma 387
Xanthoma Striatum Palmate 388
No.nuolipemic Plane Xanthoma 389
Sauvy 389
Ac.quired Zinc Defidenc:y and Acrodermatitis Enteropcthfc:a 391
Pellagra 393
CONTENTS
Gout 394
Skin Dileues in Prc:pumcy 395
Cholelta&is of Pregnancy (CP) 396
Pemphigoid Gestatioms (PeG) 396
Polymorphic Eruption of Pregnancy (PEP) 397
Prurigo of Pregnancy and Atopic Eruption of Pregnancy (AEP) 398
Pustular Psoriasis ln. Pregnancy 398
Skin Manlfestatlons of Obesity 398
408
Adleroaderoaia, Arterial Imu11idmcy, and Atheroemholizaf.ion 408
'lhromboaDgiitia Obliterans (TO) 412
'lhrombopblebiti• and Deep Venoua 'lhromholil 413
QroDic: Vmoutlnsuflic:iency (CVI) 414
Most CommonJ.e&IFoot Ulcers 419
Uvedoid Vaaculltis (LV) 421
QroDic: I;ymphatlc: Imutlidency 422
Pressure Ulcen 423
42e
<lusUicatlon ofSkin. Change. 426
Caldphyluls 426
Nephrogenic: Fihroslllg Dermopathy (NFD) 428
Ac-quired Perforating Dermatoles 429
444
'lhromboqtopeaic Purpura 444
Diueminated lntnmllcular Coagulation 445
Cryoslobnlinemia 448
Lenkania Cutis 450
Langerbam Cell Histioqtoail 453
Mutoqrtolil Syndrome~ 457
489
Advene Cutaneous Drug ReactiODJ 489
Eunthematous Drug Rea<:t:ionJ 494
Pustular EraptlODI 496
Dl'1J8-Inducecl Acute Urtlc:aria, Angioedema, Edema. and Anaphylam 498
FiDel Drug Eruption 499
Dl'1J8 Hypenensltlvity Syndrome 501
Dl'1J8-Inducecl Pigmentation 502
Pseudoporphyria 505
ACDR-Related Necroais 506
ACDR-Related to Chemotherapy 509
CONTENTS
513
Body Dylmorpbic Syndrome (BDS) 513
Dcl.uaiona ofParuito8U 513
Neurotic BD:oriatimu and 'JiichotilloJIUDia 515
FactitioDI!l Synclromea (MtiDchhausen Syndrome) 517
Cutaneous SigiU of Injecting I>rug Use 518
__
...._
SECTION 26
FUNGAL INFECTIONS OF THE SKIN, HAIR, AND NAILS
Introduction
SM
594
Superficial Fu.npllnf.edlons 594
Candld1uls 594
Cutaneous Candidiasis 595
Oropharyngeal Candidias!B 598
Genital Candidiasis 602
Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis 603
Disseminated Candidiasis 605
T"mea Venicolor 606
7m:1Jo.sportm ~ODS 611
T"mea N"apa 612
Dermatophytosell 613
Tinea Pedis 616
Tinea Manuum. 619
Tinea Cruris 622
Tinea Corporis 624
Tinea Fac.ialis 628
Tinea Incognito 630
Dermatoplrytoeea of Hair 630
Tinea Capitis 631
Tinea Barbae 634
Majocchi Granuloma 636
lnvuive and Diueminatril FaDgal.IDfectiona 637
Subcutaneous Mycoses 637
Sporotrichosis 637
Phaeohyphomycoses 639
Cryptococcosls 641
Histoplasmosis 642
Blastomycosis 644
Coccidioidomycosis 646
Penicilliosis 647
Introduction 649
Porriru• Dkeua 649
Molluscwn Contagiorum 649
Human Or£ 653
Milkers' Nodule5 655
Smallpox 655
CONTENTS
LeiJbmanlasl• 744
Human American TrypiDOIOIDiasi• 749
Human African 1\'ypanoaOllliua 750
Cubuu:cnu Am.ebiuia 751
APPENDICES 885
INDEX 897
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PREFACE
Thirty-four years ago in 1983, the first edition care providers principally because it facilitates
of this book appeared and has been expanded dermatologic diagnosis by providing color pho-
pari passu with the major developments that tographs of skin lesions and, juxtaposed, a suc-
have occurred in dermatology over the past cinct summary outline of skin disorders as well
three and a half decades. Dermatology is now as the skin signs of systemic diseases.
one of the most sought-after medical specialties The eighth edition has been extensively revised,
because the burden of skin disease has become rewritten, and expanded by new material. Around
enormous and the many new innovative thera- 30% of the old images have been replaced by new
pies available today attract large patient popula- ones and additional images have been added
tions. There is a complete update of etiology, pathogen-
The Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Der- esis, management, and therapy. There is also an
matology has been used by thousands of pri- online version. For this edition, videos containing
mary care physicians, dermatology residents, clinical material relevant to the text are available
dermatologists, internists, and other health at: mhprofessi.onal.com/mediacenter.
xxiii
This page intentionally left blank
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Our secretary, Renate Kosma, worked hard to Karen was the major force behind this edition.
meet the demands of the authors. In the present Her good nature, good judgment, loyalty to the
McGraw-Hill team, we appreciated the counsel authors, and, most of all. patience guided us to
of Karen Edmonson, Senior Sponsoring Editor, make an even better book.
and Robert Pancotti, Senior Project Develop-
ment Editor.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
The Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Derma- 8th edition, 2012, edited by Lowell A. Gold-
tology is proposed as a "field guide" to the recog- smith, Stephen I. Katz, Barbara A. Gilchrest,
nition of skin disorders and their management. Amy S. Paller, David J. Letfell, and Klaus Wolff.
The skin is a treasury of important lesions that This text is intended for all physicians and
can usually be recognized clinically. Gross mor- other health care providers, including medi-
phology in the form of skin lesions remains the cal students, dermatology residents, internists,
hard core of dermatologic diagnosis. Therefore, oncologists, and infectious disease specialists
tills text is accompanied by more than 900 color dealing with diseases with skin manifestations.
photographs illustrating skin diseases, skin For nondermatologists, it is advisable to start
manifestation of internal diseases, infections, with "Approach to Dermatologic Diagnosis" and
tumors, and incidental skin findings in other- "Outline of Dermatologic Diagnosis" to famil-
wise well individuals. We have endeavored to iarize themselves with the principles of derma-
include information relevant to gender derma- tologic nomenclature and lines of thought
tology and a large number of images showing The Atlas is organized into four parts, subdi-
skin disease in different ethnic populations. This vided into 35 sections, and there are three short
Atlas covers the entire field of clinical dermatol- appendices. Each section has a color label that is
ogy but does not include very rare syndromes reflected by the bar on the top of each page. This
or conditions. With respect to these, the reader is to help the reader find his or her bearings rap-
is referred to another McGraw-Hill Publication: idly when leafing through the book. Each dis-
Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, ease is labeled with the respective ICDlO codes.
xxvii
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
inga. 'Ihua, recognizing, analping. and properly without elevation or depression. It is thus not
interpreting Bin leaiom are the line qua l1.Dil of palpahle. Macule. can be well defined and
dermatologl.c diagnosis. ill dcflned. MKulea may be of any silc or
color (Fig. 1-1). White, u in vitillgo; brown.
PHYSICAL EXAMINAnON u 1n cafe-au-lait spots; blue, as in MoogoUan
spots; or red, as in permanent vascular abnor-
Appcarancc Uncomfortable, "tone,• well.
malities such as port-wine stains or capillary
Vital Slpa Pulse, mpln.tton, temperature. dilatation due to inflammation (erythema).
Skim ~ to Jad• The entire akin
Pressure ofa glass slide (diascopy) on the bor-
should be inspected and this should include der of a red le.Uon detects the extravasatl.on of
mUOOUI membranes, genital and anal regions,
red blood celh. If the redness remains under
u well as hair md nails and peripheral lymph pressure from the slide, the lesion is purpuric,
node&. Reading the &kin Ia like reading a tat thai is, remltl from extravasated red blood
The bu1c akin leaiOll.t are like the lettm of the cella; if the redness disappea:rs. the lesion is
alphabet: their ahape, color, marg1Dation. and due to vascular dilatation. A rub consisting
other features combined will lead to words, and of macules iJ called a maadar exanthem.
their localization and distribution to a sentence
or pan.graph. 1h.e prerequisite of dermatologic • Papule (Latin: papula, "plmph:-) A papule is
dlagnos!a .l.s thus the recognition of (1) the type a super6dal. elevated. aolid lesion. generally
of akin lesion, (2) the color, (3) margination, (4) considered <OS em 1n diameter. Most of 1t Is
consistency, (5) shape, (6) arrangement. and (7) elevated above. rather than deep within, the
distribution of lesions. plane of the surrounding skin (Fig. 1-2). A
papule is palpable. It may be wcll defined or
Recognizing Letters: Types of Skin Lesions ill defined. In papul.ca, the elewtion Is caused
• Macule (Latin: nuu:ula, "spot") A macule .l.s by m.etabollc or locally produced deposits, by
a c:lrcumscrlbed area of change in akin color loc:allzed cellular Jnftlt:rates, inflammatory or
• Wheal A wheal is a rounded or flat-topped. containiDg blood &om red to black. Vesicles
pale red or white papule or plaque that is and bullae arise &om a cleavage at various levels
characteristically evanescent, disappear- of the superficial skin; the cleavage may be sub-
ing within 24 to 48 h (Fig. I-5). It is due to corneal or within the epidermis (Le., iDtraepf.-
edema in the papillary body of the dermis. If dermal. vesication) or at the epl.dermal.-dermal
the edema is very pronounced. it will com- interface (i.e., subepidermal), as in Figure I-6.
pre&& the dilated capillaries and the wheal will Since vesiclel/bullae are alwafl> superficial they
tum white (Fig. 1-S}. Wheal& may be round, are always well defined. A rash COD&isting of
gyrate. or irregular with pseudopods-chang- vesicles is called a vesicular exmtthem; a rash
ing rapidly In size and shape due to shiftJng consisting ofbullae a lnJlous exanthem.
papillary edema. A rash cons!stl.ng of wheals
• Pu8tule (Latin: pusnda, "pustule..) A pus-
is called a urtic4rial exanthema or urticaria.
tule is a drcumsaibed superficial cav.lty of
• Valde-Bulla (Blister) (Latin! ~"'little the skin that oontalns a purulent emdate
bladder"; bulla, ,ubble") A vesicle (<O.S (Fig. I-7), which may be white, yellow, green-
em) or a bulla (>0.5 an) is a circwnscribed, ish-yellow, or hemorrhagic. Pustules thus
elevated, wperfic:ial avi1y containing fluid differ from ve&icles in that they are not clear
(Fig. 1-6). Ve&lcks are dome-shaped (as in but have a turbid content. Thia proceu may
contact derm.atWs. dermatitis berpeti£orml's). arise in a hair folllcle or independently. Pus-
wubili~ (as In herpes simplex), or flacdd tules may vary In size and shape. Pustules are
(as in pemphigus). Often the roof of a vesicle/ usually dome-shaped, but follic:ular pustules
bulla is so thin that it is ttansparent, and the are conical and usually contain a hair in the
serum. or blood in the cavity can be seen. center. The vesicular lesioD& of herpes sim-
Vesicles containing serwu are yellowish; tho6e plex and varl.cella zoster virus infections may
become pustular. A rash consisting of pus- adherent, or loose. A rash consisting of pap-
tules is called a puJtulRr exanthem. ules with scales is called a papulosquamtYUS
uanthem.
• Crusts (Latin: crust4. •rind. bark, shell")
Crusts develop when serum, blood. or puru- • Eroelon An erosion is a clef'ed: only of
lent c:x.udate dries on the akin surface (Fig. I-8). the epidennis, not involving the dennis
Crusts may be thin. delicate. and friable or (Fig. 1-10); in contra8t to an ulcer, which
t:hJd and adherent Crusts ate yellow when always heals with scar formation (see the fol-
formed from dried serum; green or ydlow- lowing), an erosion heals without a scar. An
green when funned from purulent exudate; erosion is sharply defined. red, and oozes.
or brown, dark red. or black when formed There are superficial erosions, which are
from blood. Superficial aust:s occur as honey- subcomeal or nm through the epidermis,.
colored. dcllcate, gUstening particulates on and deep erosiona. the base of which is the
the surface and ate typically found in impe- papillary body (Fig. I-10). Except physical
tigo (Fig. I-8). When the exudate involves 1he abrasions, erosions are always the result of
entire epidermis. the crusts may be thick and intraepidermal or subepidermal cleavage and
adherent, and if it is accompanied by necro- thus of vesicles or bullae.
sis of the deeper tissues (e.g., the demtis), the
• Uka: (Latin: ukus, •sore") An ulcer is a akin
condition is known as ecthyma.
defect that extends into the dermis or deeper
• Scala (aqaama) (Latin: squmna. •scale"') (Fig.l-11) into the subcutis and always occws
Scalesareflakesofsb:atumcomeum.(Fig.l-9). within pathologically altered tissue. An ulcer
They maybe large (like membranes, tiny [Uke is therefore always a secondary phenomenon.
dust], pityriasiform (Greek: pityron, "bran"), The pathologically altered tissue that gives rise
to an ulcer is usually seen at the border or the distribution, presence or absence of sweating.
base of the ulcer and is helpful in determining and arterial pulses. Ulcers always heal with
its cause. Other fea.t:ure& helpful in this respect scar formation.
are whether bo:rders are elevated, 'W'Ldermi:ned,
hard. or soggy; location of the ulcer; discharge; • Scar A scar is the fibrous tissue replace-
and any associated topographic features. such ment of the tissue defect by previous ulcer
as nodules. m:ortations. vartcosities, hair or a wound. Scars can be hypertrophic and
hard (Fig. I-12) or atrophic and soft with a are loss ofskin tature and c.lgarette paper-like
thinning or loss of all tissue compartments of wrinkling. In dermal atrophy. there is loss of
the skin (Fig. I-12). connective tissue ofthe dermis and depres.sion
of the lesion (Fig. I-13).
• Atrophy This refers to a diminution of some
or all layers of the skin (Pig. 1-13). Epidermal • CyatA<:y!tis a cavitycontainingliquid or solid
mophy is manifested by a thinning of the epi- or semisolid (Fig. I-14) materials and may be
dc.nnis, which becomes transparent, revealing superfidal or deep. Visually it appears llkc a
t'he papUlary and subpap.lllary vessels; there sphericaL most often dome-shaped papule or
I see increasing reason to believe that the view formed some time
back as to the origin of the Makonde bush is the correct one. I have
no doubt that it is not a natural product, but the result of human
occupation. Those parts of the high country where man—as a very
slight amount of practice enables the eye to perceive at once—has not
yet penetrated with axe and hoe, are still occupied by a splendid
timber forest quite able to sustain a comparison with our mixed
forests in Germany. But wherever man has once built his hut or tilled
his field, this horrible bush springs up. Every phase of this process
may be seen in the course of a couple of hours’ walk along the main
road. From the bush to right or left, one hears the sound of the axe—
not from one spot only, but from several directions at once. A few
steps further on, we can see what is taking place. The brush has been
cut down and piled up in heaps to the height of a yard or more,
between which the trunks of the large trees stand up like the last
pillars of a magnificent ruined building. These, too, present a
melancholy spectacle: the destructive Makonde have ringed them—
cut a broad strip of bark all round to ensure their dying off—and also
piled up pyramids of brush round them. Father and son, mother and
son-in-law, are chopping away perseveringly in the background—too
busy, almost, to look round at the white stranger, who usually excites
so much interest. If you pass by the same place a week later, the piles
of brushwood have disappeared and a thick layer of ashes has taken
the place of the green forest. The large trees stretch their
smouldering trunks and branches in dumb accusation to heaven—if
they have not already fallen and been more or less reduced to ashes,
perhaps only showing as a white stripe on the dark ground.
This work of destruction is carried out by the Makonde alike on the
virgin forest and on the bush which has sprung up on sites already
cultivated and deserted. In the second case they are saved the trouble
of burning the large trees, these being entirely absent in the
secondary bush.
After burning this piece of forest ground and loosening it with the
hoe, the native sows his corn and plants his vegetables. All over the
country, he goes in for bed-culture, which requires, and, in fact,
receives, the most careful attention. Weeds are nowhere tolerated in
the south of German East Africa. The crops may fail on the plains,
where droughts are frequent, but never on the plateau with its
abundant rains and heavy dews. Its fortunate inhabitants even have
the satisfaction of seeing the proud Wayao and Wamakua working
for them as labourers, driven by hunger to serve where they were
accustomed to rule.
But the light, sandy soil is soon exhausted, and would yield no
harvest the second year if cultivated twice running. This fact has
been familiar to the native for ages; consequently he provides in
time, and, while his crop is growing, prepares the next plot with axe
and firebrand. Next year he plants this with his various crops and
lets the first piece lie fallow. For a short time it remains waste and
desolate; then nature steps in to repair the destruction wrought by
man; a thousand new growths spring out of the exhausted soil, and
even the old stumps put forth fresh shoots. Next year the new growth
is up to one’s knees, and in a few years more it is that terrible,
impenetrable bush, which maintains its position till the black
occupier of the land has made the round of all the available sites and
come back to his starting point.
The Makonde are, body and soul, so to speak, one with this bush.
According to my Yao informants, indeed, their name means nothing
else but “bush people.” Their own tradition says that they have been
settled up here for a very long time, but to my surprise they laid great
stress on an original immigration. Their old homes were in the
south-east, near Mikindani and the mouth of the Rovuma, whence
their peaceful forefathers were driven by the continual raids of the
Sakalavas from Madagascar and the warlike Shirazis[47] of the coast,
to take refuge on the almost inaccessible plateau. I have studied
African ethnology for twenty years, but the fact that changes of
population in this apparently quiet and peaceable corner of the earth
could have been occasioned by outside enterprises taking place on
the high seas, was completely new to me. It is, no doubt, however,
correct.
The charming tribal legend of the Makonde—besides informing us
of other interesting matters—explains why they have to live in the
thickest of the bush and a long way from the edge of the plateau,
instead of making their permanent homes beside the purling brooks
and springs of the low country.
“The place where the tribe originated is Mahuta, on the southern
side of the plateau towards the Rovuma, where of old time there was
nothing but thick bush. Out of this bush came a man who never
washed himself or shaved his head, and who ate and drank but little.
He went out and made a human figure from the wood of a tree
growing in the open country, which he took home to his abode in the
bush and there set it upright. In the night this image came to life and
was a woman. The man and woman went down together to the
Rovuma to wash themselves. Here the woman gave birth to a still-
born child. They left that place and passed over the high land into the
valley of the Mbemkuru, where the woman had another child, which
was also born dead. Then they returned to the high bush country of
Mahuta, where the third child was born, which lived and grew up. In
course of time, the couple had many more children, and called
themselves Wamatanda. These were the ancestral stock of the
Makonde, also called Wamakonde,[48] i.e., aborigines. Their
forefather, the man from the bush, gave his children the command to
bury their dead upright, in memory of the mother of their race who
was cut out of wood and awoke to life when standing upright. He also
warned them against settling in the valleys and near large streams,
for sickness and death dwelt there. They were to make it a rule to
have their huts at least an hour’s walk from the nearest watering-
place; then their children would thrive and escape illness.”
The explanation of the name Makonde given by my informants is
somewhat different from that contained in the above legend, which I
extract from a little book (small, but packed with information), by
Pater Adams, entitled Lindi und sein Hinterland. Otherwise, my
results agree exactly with the statements of the legend. Washing?
Hapana—there is no such thing. Why should they do so? As it is, the
supply of water scarcely suffices for cooking and drinking; other
people do not wash, so why should the Makonde distinguish himself
by such needless eccentricity? As for shaving the head, the short,
woolly crop scarcely needs it,[49] so the second ancestral precept is
likewise easy enough to follow. Beyond this, however, there is
nothing ridiculous in the ancestor’s advice. I have obtained from
various local artists a fairly large number of figures carved in wood,
ranging from fifteen to twenty-three inches in height, and
representing women belonging to the great group of the Mavia,
Makonde, and Matambwe tribes. The carving is remarkably well
done and renders the female type with great accuracy, especially the
keloid ornamentation, to be described later on. As to the object and
meaning of their works the sculptors either could or (more probably)
would tell me nothing, and I was forced to content myself with the
scanty information vouchsafed by one man, who said that the figures
were merely intended to represent the nembo—the artificial
deformations of pelele, ear-discs, and keloids. The legend recorded
by Pater Adams places these figures in a new light. They must surely
be more than mere dolls; and we may even venture to assume that
they are—though the majority of present-day Makonde are probably
unaware of the fact—representations of the tribal ancestress.
The references in the legend to the descent from Mahuta to the
Rovuma, and to a journey across the highlands into the Mbekuru
valley, undoubtedly indicate the previous history of the tribe, the
travels of the ancestral pair typifying the migrations of their
descendants. The descent to the neighbouring Rovuma valley, with
its extraordinary fertility and great abundance of game, is intelligible
at a glance—but the crossing of the Lukuledi depression, the ascent
to the Rondo Plateau and the descent to the Mbemkuru, also lie
within the bounds of probability, for all these districts have exactly
the same character as the extreme south. Now, however, comes a
point of especial interest for our bacteriological age. The primitive
Makonde did not enjoy their lives in the marshy river-valleys.
Disease raged among them, and many died. It was only after they
had returned to their original home near Mahuta, that the health
conditions of these people improved. We are very apt to think of the
African as a stupid person whose ignorance of nature is only equalled
by his fear of it, and who looks on all mishaps as caused by evil
spirits and malignant natural powers. It is much more correct to
assume in this case that the people very early learnt to distinguish
districts infested with malaria from those where it is absent.
This knowledge is crystallized in the
ancestral warning against settling in the
valleys and near the great waters, the
dwelling-places of disease and death. At the
same time, for security against the hostile
Mavia south of the Rovuma, it was enacted
that every settlement must be not less than a
certain distance from the southern edge of the
plateau. Such in fact is their mode of life at the
present day. It is not such a bad one, and
certainly they are both safer and more
comfortable than the Makua, the recent
intruders from the south, who have made USUAL METHOD OF
good their footing on the western edge of the CLOSING HUT-DOOR
plateau, extending over a fairly wide belt of
country. Neither Makua nor Makonde show in their dwellings
anything of the size and comeliness of the Yao houses in the plain,
especially at Masasi, Chingulungulu and Zuza’s. Jumbe Chauro, a
Makonde hamlet not far from Newala, on the road to Mahuta, is the
most important settlement of the tribe I have yet seen, and has fairly
spacious huts. But how slovenly is their construction compared with
the palatial residences of the elephant-hunters living in the plain.
The roofs are still more untidy than in the general run of huts during
the dry season, the walls show here and there the scanty beginnings
or the lamentable remains of the mud plastering, and the interior is a
veritable dog-kennel; dirt, dust and disorder everywhere. A few huts
only show any attempt at division into rooms, and this consists
merely of very roughly-made bamboo partitions. In one point alone
have I noticed any indication of progress—in the method of fastening
the door. Houses all over the south are secured in a simple but
ingenious manner. The door consists of a set of stout pieces of wood
or bamboo, tied with bark-string to two cross-pieces, and moving in
two grooves round one of the door-posts, so as to open inwards. If
the owner wishes to leave home, he takes two logs as thick as a man’s
upper arm and about a yard long. One of these is placed obliquely
against the middle of the door from the inside, so as to form an angle
of from 60° to 75° with the ground. He then places the second piece
horizontally across the first, pressing it downward with all his might.
It is kept in place by two strong posts planted in the ground a few
inches inside the door. This fastening is absolutely safe, but of course
cannot be applied to both doors at once, otherwise how could the
owner leave or enter his house? I have not yet succeeded in finding
out how the back door is fastened.