Part 123 - Chomo Dzong to Kyabden: halts, Nyang Chu crossing, and Taylor’s illness

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SUMMARY:
Entries for 18–22 August describe halts at Chomo Dzong and Kyabden, poor weather, and a short march crossing the Nyang Chu in four coracles. Taylor became seriously ill at Kyabden (suspected appendicitis or gastric ulcer), prompting messages to Lhasa for help and to call Ludlow; he later improved.

CONTENT:
again very slow indeed. Left at 6.30 am, last coolies in at 6.00 pm. Again very little seen. Primula latisecta common a few miles up the valley from here. Seed not yet ripe. A large monastery here, & considerable cultivation. Crops just about to be harvested, some barley already cut & in.

18th August. Halt. Chomo Dzong. Wet a good deal of the day.

19th August. Kyabden. 5 miles. Fine with showers. We crossed the Nyang Chu opposite Chomo Dzong in four kowas, the stream is in two channels very swift. Path up N bank good & easy, though swampy in places. No villages passed till camp reached.

20th August. Halt. Kyabden. Taylor has been very ill here, with some unknown complaint. So much so that I sent off to Lhasa for help if possible, also to call Ludlow. It appeared to be appendicitis, with awful pains, nausea, vomiting & a high rate of pulse.

21st August. Halt. Kyabden.

22nd August. Halt. Kyabden. This went on till yesterday evening, when after vomiting, he said he was all right, & that the pains had gone. Shortly before this the pain seemed to have localized to the left of the navel. What it has been I don't know, though I should think a gastric ulcer is possible. He is ever so much better today, & I have sent off to