whether from cholera, amoebas, or different strains of E. coli , the first treatment is rehydration for diarrhea. One teaspoon salt, 8 teaspoons sugar, per liter of water (boiled, ceramic-filtered, iodine-treated, bottled—and sometimes all of the above is advisable), or half a teaspoon of salt per freshly opened coconut (which will be sterile and already contains the needed sugar) will fend off debilitation. Gator-Aide and similar electrolyte-balanced drinks have a better balance of minerals, but are not commonly available in Madagascar.