DISEASES. 135 



and fed, and more cleanly in their habits ; besides which, they 

 are not so much exposed as the coloured people. 



Eruptive fevers. — Measles, small-pox, and scarlatina reign 

 epidemically every ten or twelve years ; scarlatina less frequently 

 than small-pox, and small-pox less again than measles. Measles 

 and scarlatina are not so dangerous as in Europe, the conva- 

 lescence particularly requiring less attention and caution. Small- 

 pox has proved very fatal on various occasions. Vaccination 

 may not infallibly act as a preservative, but it invariably 

 modifies the characteristics of the eruption to such an extent as 

 to render it comparatively harmless. Lately vaccination has 

 been made compulsory, and vaccinators appointed to the dif- 

 ferent districts of the colony ; re-vaccination is also encouraged. 



Hooping-cough is of frequent occurrence, but not dangerous, 

 except when altogether neglected, or accompanied with bronchitis. 

 The latter affection, but particularly tracheitis and laryngitis, 

 become very common during the season in which the chill 

 northerly winds prevail. Croup, or angina membranacea, is of very 

 rare occurrence, for what is termed here croup is either angina 

 stridulosa or angina cedematosa, both of which simulate croup. 

 Angina cedematosa almost invariably commences under the form 

 of an inflammation of the pharynx, which afterwards extends to 

 the glottis. 



Sore-throat is one of the most frequent, and may be also 

 reckoned one of the most serious, diseases which prevail in 

 Trinidad. The cedematous variety is rather common, and by 

 the extension of the sedema to the glottis may prove fatal in a 

 few hours. 



Diphtheria, almost unknown in the island for a long period, 

 has for the last ten years prevailed epidemically on several 

 occasions, and with disastrous results. There exists also a 

 peculiar form of sore-throat, or pharyngitis, which may be 

 termed remittent pharyngitis. The sufferer feels comparatively 

 easy during the day, but an exacerbation invariably takes place 

 in the evening, most distressing at about ten or eleven o'clock. 

 If overlooked, or not properly treated, it may terminate fatally, 

 especially in young children. Quinine is the remedy, and to it 

 the disease yields very readily. 



Uneumonia andpleuritis are of comparatively rare occurrence, 

 and exposure to a draught of air, or cold bathing, the body being 



