Ch. VL SOUTH AMERICA. 421 



owing to the happiness of his constitution, than any 

 rehef he receives. 



They are also subject to the bicho, or mal del 

 valle ; but this is soon cured. Sometimes, though 

 seldom, they are also seized with tabardillos, or spot- 

 ted fevers, for which they have an expeditious but 

 singular cure. They lay the patient near the fire, on 

 the two sheep-skins Avhich compose his bed ; and 

 close by him place a jug of chicha. The heat of the 

 fever^ and that of the fire increasing the other, cause 

 in him such a thirst, that he is incessantly drinking ; 

 ■whereby the eruptions are augmented, and the next 

 morning he is either in a fair way of recovery, or so 

 bad as to be carried off in a day or two. 



They who either escape, or recover from, these dis- 

 tempers, reach to an advanced age ; and both sexes 

 aflford many instances of remarkable longevity. I 

 myself have known several, who, at the age of a hun- 

 dred, were still robust and active ; which unquestion- 

 ably must, in some measure, be attributed to the con- 

 stant sameness and simplicity of their food. But I 

 must observe, that, besides the different kinds already 

 mentioned, they also eat a great deal of salt with agi, 

 gathering the pods of it ; and having put some salt in 

 the mouth, they bite the agi, anjl afterwards eat some 

 machca or camcha: and thus they continue taking 

 one after another, till they are satisfied. They are so 

 fond of salt in this manner of eating it, that they 

 prefer a pod or two of agi with some salt to any 

 other food. 



After this account of the genius, customs, and 

 qualities of the Indians, it will not be improper to 

 speak a Avord or two of their diversions and occupa- 

 tions, premising, that this account does not extend to 

 such Indians as live in cities and towns, or that oc- 

 cupy any public office or trade, they being lookecl 

 upon as useful to the public, and live independently. 

 Others in the kingdom of Quito are employed in the 



E e 3 manufac- 



