Dr. Hancock on SursojHiriUit. 75 



I ought to observe hort', that from the few trials I made with 

 iodine, it appeared to be a \er\ useful auxiliary in leprosy, and 

 in those BCrofaloid ulcers here spoken of, as also in swellings of 

 the knee joint, common in Ciuiuun, being a species of hydar- 

 thrus, or white swelling, arising as the results of cold and 

 rheumatism, in strumous habits especially.* In lepra, the use of 



cultivation, for every live slaves an acre of land, which, admitting the Statement 

 of Baron Humboldt to be correct, would l>e a supply for many times that num- 

 ber of jieople. See his History of Hem Spa in , vol. II. p. 37 1, where it is .-aid, 

 that " the produce of the banana is to that ol \\!i<at as 133 to 1, and to that 

 of potatoes as 44 to one.'' 



Without recurring to any exaggerated reports, and although never an advocate 

 for slavery, I may hen take occasion to remark, that the present condition of 

 the slaves in the British Continental Colonies (I do not allude to the Islands), may, 

 in point of comfort and plentiful supply of food, be said to be quite enviable 

 comparer! with that of the labouring classes in this country. This is a truth which 

 ought in fairness to be stated, but it is not intended as an apology for slavery. 



And this advertence, which may seem irrelevant here, I have introduced, because, 

 upon speaking on these subjects in London, it has U'en more than once suggested 

 to ni< . as a <pjery, whether the DCgTOM were not half starved in the Colonies. 

 A |' rson of very moderate capacity like myself, after a residence of twenty-live 

 years in the Colonies, ought to be able to form a tolerably correct opinion on the 

 sub • 



I'l.muin is considered the staple and in dispensable article of food in 

 Guiana ; but, independent of this, the slaves are generally allowed as much land 

 as tliey choose to cultivate ; consequently, those who are inclined to a little in-. 

 daatryCM ptoonre, lor their own use and for market, an abundance of yams, 



. .j,.i potalOM, and Other nutritive vegetables, They are frequently found, 

 !•. !i m ry indifferent to this privilege, and, then fore, the supply of 



articles, in order to ensure its being more constant und regular for their 

 families, is, on certain estates, under the express direction of the proprietor or 

 manager. I mention this ben* fa ial prat lice, not as one universally followed, but 

 as deserving mutation by all ; for it is well known lh.it a diversity of similar 

 alimentary mi! onlrlbute nun h more Strength and vigour than can be de- 



• iroui any on* taken singly, as, in respect to medicines and spices, their 

 r, greatly enhanced by combination, 



• \s in ii id. joint was found m urli enlarged, tho contained fluid was lei rat with 



nrnon lancet. This lluid was usually of a slim] <>r gelatinous nature, DO) un- 



• ml) similar in nppcarani e to that ol the lmr> e mui osa In I hi althj state, 



Six! Mi.ri ran ly nuuioui or purulent. I IMVW obaBffvnd att] ill elb.is 1 1 . in d„ *.■ 



or from the ingress of air which ha* I ->> mm h dual. I ml. id, 



i mu i ineviinblj muse a still joint, 



