] 40 TRINIDAD. 



I will conclude with another quotation from Drs. Fox and 

 Farquhar's report : " The presence of the disease (in Europe) was 

 clearly in greatest part, if not entirely, to be accounted for by 

 its introduction through the Crusaders from the East, and its 

 propagation by intercommunication of the leprous with the 

 healthy. The extinction of leprosy was effected, we believe, in 

 all probability by the enforced segregation of lepers so sedu- 

 lously ensured by the Church and State. - " 



Yaws, Plans, Frambcesia. — This is another skin disease to which 

 I am anxious to call the earnest attention of the Government. 



Yaws is a disease sui generis, which is propagated by con- 

 tagion, and has a tendency to spread among the people of the 

 same locality, and may easily extend to remote districts by 

 intercommunication. It is peculiar to the African race, anc 

 may be said to be an importation from Africa, where it wideb 

 prevails. The duration of the disease generally extends ovt 

 several years, and I even doubt very much whether its cure 

 ever spontaneous. When properly treated it lasts from two 

 four months. People suffering from yaws do not exactly become 

 disabled, but the disease tells sorely on their constitution, ai 

 they become enfeebled and apathetic ; intercourse with them 

 carefully avoided by prudent persons. I am, therefore, led 

 advocate, with regard to yaws, the adoption of the same stringent 

 measures which I have suggested with regard to leprosy. People 

 suffering from yaws should be forcibly sent to hospitals or 

 asylums, there to be treated. Except in a few exceptional cases, 

 this measure should not be extended to persons in good circum- 

 stances, as they are anxious to be cured. As a rule, confinement 

 could not be protracted beyond two or four months, after which 

 time the patients would be restored to their families and occupa- 

 tions ; and the far greater number of yaws patients being under 

 the age of fifteen, sequestration could not be regarded by them as 

 a very great hardship, especially in view of the great benefit 

 conferred and the advantages resulting to the whole community. 

 Lunacy prevails to a very great extent. There were on the 

 31st December, 1878, in the Lunatic Asylum 182 unfortunate 

 subjects, 94 males, 88 females; under care during the same 

 year, 266 ; in 1880, 229. 



For many years we had no asylum for the reception of 

 lunatics, and those considered as dangerous were confined in a 



