Stebbins, R. 1963 Asian Trip 200 Kuala Lumpur Feb. 6 mosquitoes in the area. Medway said it was dangerous to enter the river after storms because of a shiketsai that is carried by rats which deposit urine and feces in sand bars. When the water rises the organism is carried in the water and may infect humans through the mouth a nose or cuts. It causes jaundice and sometimes central nervous system involvement. It is sometimes fatal. The blowgun is a 6-8 ft. length of bamboo with a bore 3/8" in diam. The dart is a tapered bamboo splinter with sharp end point and pith base. Plant down (and more recently cotton) is used as wading behind the pith base. The mouth piece is broad, perhaps 1 1/2 - 2" in diameter and presents a flat surface. The dart tip is dipped in a concoction from the Apoh tree and heated. The poison darts I inserted into a honey comb tube (1 bamboo?) in the bottom of a bamboo guniver covered with a woven cap which holds the down. Darts about to be used are stuck in the hair. After firing the hunter may quietly hold position until the victim is paralyzed. A good marksman can shoot accurately a distance of 30-50 ft. The dart may penetrate flesh 1/2".