Medals are granted by the prison governors as rewards to any prisoners who have worked diligently and conducted themselves properly in prison, but no medal can be awarded more than three times to any one individual. Medallists enjoy certain privileges and leniency of treatment, and pardons are based on the medal system. PRISONS OF EGYPT CHAPTER X THE LAW IN EGYPT Penal code in Egypt of Mohammedan origin and derived from the Koran--The law of talion--Price of blood--Blood feuds and blood revenge--The courbash freely used to raise taxes--Old police in Cairo--Extensive reforms--Oppressive governors--Tyrannical rule of Ismail Pasha--Protection and security guaranteed to the fellaheen by British occupation--Prison reform--Tourah near Cairo--Labour at the quarries--Profitable workshops--Assiut prison--Life at Tourah--Attempts to escape--Convicts employed on the communication line in the Sudan campaign--Excellent sanitation and good hospital arrangements. The land of the Pharaohs has ever been governed by the practices and influenced by the traditions of the East. From the time of the Arab conquest, Mohammedan law has generally prevailed, and the old penal code was derived directly from the Koran. Its provisions were most severe, but followed the dictates of common sense and were never outrageously cruel. The law of talion was generally enforced, a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Murder entailed the punishment of death, but a fine might be paid to the family of the deceased if they would accept it; this was only permitted when the homicide was attended by palliating circumstances. The price of blood varied. It might be the value of a hundred camels; or if the culprit was the possessor of gold, a sum equal to £500 was demanded, but if he possessed silver only, the price asked was a sum equal to £300. The accomplices and accessories were also liable to death. Compensation in the form of a fine is not now permitted. A man who killed another in self-defence or to defend his property from a depredator was exempt from punishment. Unintentional homicide might be expiated by a fine. The price of blood was incumbent upon the whole tribe or family to which the murderer belonged. A woman convicted of a capital crime was generally drowned in the Nile.