H ealth is something that we think about constantly here in Jenné. Because there are open sewers in the town where waste water runs, and also the river channel at the edge of town where people bathe and go to the bathroom, along with the livestock, disease germs that cause intestinal problems can easily be picked up by flies. We spend a lot of time at meals swishing flies away from our food, and making sure that none alight on our glasses. The food dishes are always covered, and we have Yama bring the food to us piping hot. That way, we're sure it hasn't sat around for a while and given flies the opportunity to crawl on it. We also take precautions with our water, which comes from a public water supply through pipes into the courtyard of our house. We put it through a filter to remove any bacteria and also use chlorine tablets. When the water is treated, we transfer it to a the water pot, or ji daga, which keeps it cool. Although I don't drink much plain water at home, it is our main drink here and it's amazing how good slightly cool water can taste on hot, dusty days! A few days ago, I went to the public health clinic here to find out what the situation is for local people regarding health problems and disease. The clinic is a one-story green-painted adobe building with a bright red cross on the front above the door. Bertie and I entered the main gate and found ourselves in a central courtyard with a couple of trees and a bench. This was the waiting room. We entered a Doctors office off the courtyard which contained a desk littered with papers and a canvas curtain. Behind the curtain there was a wooden frame hospital bed. We sat down to meet with the doctor who is head of the medical center at Jenné. We found out that malaria and lung diseases such as pneumonia are among the most comon problems is Jenné. I already could see that malaria was a problem because several Malian members of the project have come down with it. They are living in a different part of town in a house with a shower that creates pools of standing water where the mosquitoes breed. We have no shower here (only bucket baths) and haven't seen any mosquitoes. Anyway, we take tablets every week to prevent malaria. When the people here get malaria, they can go to the pharmacy and buy tablets or medicine that the doctor gives as a series of three shots within 24 hours. They also buy the syringes. Some people can't afford the medicine, and they can get it free at the clinic. An examination by the Doctor there costs about 200 CFA (50 cents). One really good result of having running water in Jenné is a reduction in the amount of intestinal diseases. When my Mom and Dad lived here in the 1980's, all water came from wells or the river. People who used river water could get really sick. Even now, serious diseases such as cholera occur in river towns where people rely on the river water for drinking. Last year, there was a big cholera epidemic in Mopti, the next large town down river from us. One of the commonest problems here is colds. It is the coolest season of the year and lots of people have colds, including me and my mom. Colds travel fast anywhere, but I think it's especially bad here because people don't use tissues or handkerchiefs. To blow their nose, they just lean over and blow out one nostril while holding the other shut. They use their hand to wipe their nose and then wipe it on a wall or any other available surface. They also never cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, so you can really get sprayed in a crowded place like the market. In addition, everybody shakes hands here to greet each other, multiplying the possibilities of transferring germs. I guess the wonder is that we didn't get sick sooner! Colds can be more serious than you might think, however, since they may lead to ear infections. Several of the local workers at the site are deaf, so I asked the doctor how that happens. He said that many people don't realize how serious ear infections can be and don't seek treatment. Partial deafness can result. For big medical problems, including surgery, people have to go to regional hospitals. Even though there is AIDS in the population of Jenné they don't have any way to test for the virus and must just try to recognize the symptoms. The campaign against AIDS has just started in this region and so the effects of the campaign are less apparent than in the United States. However, there is a small billboard next to our house advising people to take precautions to prevent the transmission of AIDS.