HEALTH-MATTERS IN JAPAN. 283 



kinds. In Japan such a thing is unknown, and a stone thrown at a 

 dog (I speak from experience) is generally answered by an inquiring 

 look, hens hop out of the way, and even cats do not take the hint ! 

 In other words, the crows and hawks are never molested, and the 

 result is that all carrion and other stuff left in the streets are pounced 

 upon and carried off immediately. 



As far as climatic conditions are concerned everything is most 

 favorable for the development of filth-diseases, provided the sources 

 of danger were present. In the summer months the heat is often- 

 times oppressive, the moisture excessive, meat decays rapidly, and 

 the decomposition of fruit and vegetables quickly ensues. With 

 fruit especially ripeness is almost coincident with decay. 



In regard to the personal habits of the people, it is interesting to 

 remark that they drink very little cold water. The water is drunk as 

 hot tea in other words, it is boiled. Of extreme importance, too, in 

 regard to children's disorders, is the fact that, until they are two or 

 three years old, they draw their nourishment from the maternal fount. 

 JVo child is fed artificially. 



On the other hand, it is interesting to note that the Japanese eat 

 unripe fruit to an inordinate extent. The moment fruit shows the 

 slightest signs of being soft as an evidence of ripeness, it is consid- 

 ered by them as unfit to eat. It is astonishing to see them eat hard, 

 green peaches clinching them in the fist, as a country boy does a 

 hard apple, and biting off each mouthful with a loud snap. They eat 

 their pears in the same way ; cucumbers are eaten in a more unripe 

 condition than with us even ; and water-melons, which are so much 

 inveighed against at home, are here eaten by all classes and at all 

 times. 



In fact, they seem to revel in those things which at home are con- 

 sidered so productive of summer-complaints; who does not recall the 

 astonishment he has felt at the sight of country children of tender 

 age eating green apples, green corn uncooked, and similar things, and 

 yet suffering no ill-effects therefrom ? These facts may not prove, 

 perhaps, that unripe fruit is harmless; but, in connection with the 

 other statements, they do show that the removal of sewage-matter 

 from houses is the important point to consider, and that its removal 

 insures an absence, or a less number, of cases of those diseases which 

 enhance our death-rate at home, and lends an additional reason for 

 the necessity of vigilance on the part of communities regarding these 

 matters. 



Concerning sunstroke, it is believed at home that one of its incit- 

 ing causes is the exposure of the body or head to the overpowering 

 heat of the sun ; and the subjection of the uncovered head to the 

 direct rays of the sun is looked upon as dangerous. On the other 

 hand, it is admitted that intemperance in food or drink, and particu- 

 larly the latter, may be inducing causes. Be that as it may, it is sug- 



