The Diseases of Iceland. 201 



probable that this disease, common to so many nations and dif- 

 ferent climates, depends on some cause which is common to them 

 all. In Iceland it has been attributed to the immoderate use of 

 fish, and to fish that was not fresh ; and Peterson has made the 

 remark, that it has vanished from the isle of Feroe since the in- 

 habitants have addicted themselves more to atrriculture and less 

 to fishing. Opposed to this theory is the statement that, pre- 

 vious to the time of the Crusades, the disease was never known 

 in the island, and that it was by these it was brought into the 

 whole of Europe, whence it found its way into the island. Were 

 this true, it would owe its naturalization in Iceland to the human 

 constitution, being peculiarly prepared for its reception. At 

 the same time it must be admitted, that leprosy exhibits it- 

 self under such numerous aspects, or rather perhaps is so often 

 confounded with other diseases, that its history is still most con- 

 fused and unsatisfactory. Hence the necessity of the most ac- 

 curate inquiry, — if it be hereditary in the island, as elsewhere, 

 and to what extent ; if it appears early in infancy, and if there 

 is an age when people are safe from its ravages ; also as to the 

 manner and the success of the treatment ; and finally, if there 

 be any examples of its disappearing before the course of the 

 smallpox.- -Similar questions occur regarding scorbutus, and 

 need not therefore be detailed. Among the epidemic diseases it 

 will be particularly important to attend to the Land-farjhot, a 

 species of infectious pleurisy, equally formidable to children and 

 the aged, but a sure token of longevity to the youth who re- 

 covers from its attack. A similar epidemic was observed at 

 Dijon by M. Maret in 1784. With regard to pulmonary con- 

 sumption, there are some authorities who state that it occurs in 

 Iceland ; others deny this. This controversy should be exa- 

 mined, and put an end to, — Every thing regarding the small- 

 pox, vaccination, measles, croup, &c. will require minute atten- 

 tion ; also if it be true, as stated, that scrofula does not exist in 

 the island, and that rickets was not known there till within a 

 very recent period. With regard to the islanders themselves, 

 it is said that, in spite of the purity of the air and the salubrity 

 of the climate, they are a feeble race, liable to disease, with lit- 

 tle vivacity, seldom attaining fifty and sixty years of age, and 

 scarcely ever eighty. It is the women, and especially those who 



