PINTA DISEASE 111 



tiny wonder that the inhabitants of a hot damp cHmate, 

 teeming with insect Hfe, should be subject to ulcers and 

 kindred diseases ? A not uncommon form of skin affec- 

 tion which I noticed, particularly among the negroes of 

 Maripa and Aripao, is the pinta disease, or spotted sick- 

 ness. I did not observe any cases of the black and blue 

 forms of the disease, the white and pink varieties being 

 the only ones I had the opportunity of seeing. The 

 common term applied to pinta in Venezuela is carate ; 

 those afflicted with it are called caratosos. The same 

 eauses which contribute to the prevalence of ulcers 

 among these people are no doubt responsible for the 

 existence of this disfiguring affection. 



Fortunately, the disease, like many other cutaneous 

 disorders, does not appear to be attended with any 

 symptoms dangerous to the health of the individual 

 affected with it ; its only drawback being its grotesque 

 unsightliness. Probably it is exceedingly difficult to cure, 

 but as a rule no attention is paid to its existence by this 

 apathetic people, nor are any attempts made to get rid 

 of a malady which, though repulsive in appearance, does 

 not entail any suffering. 



In strong contrast with the lightness with which any 

 one affected with carate looks upon his affliction in 

 this out-of-the-way place, is the dread with which it is 

 regarded by the inhabitants of the larger towns of the 

 western plains, where it appears to be common. Sarare, 

 a town of importance in the state of Zamora, bears the 

 unenviable distinction of breeding more caratosos than 

 any other spot in Venezeula, although it is common 

 enough in Barquisimeto and other towns of the west. 

 There is a firm belief among the people of these places 

 that carate is not transmitted by simple contact; thej' 



