INDIAN PlNTOS. ...8l 



A peculiarity of some of the inhabitants of the State of 

 Guerrero, but which is sometimes seen in other tropical 

 countries, is the sight of the Pintos (spotted Indians). 



The inhabitants, to which the name of Pintos is applied, 

 have certain parts of their body spotted w r ith white stains about 

 the size of a sixpence. It does not matter what is the colour 

 of the person who is so spotted, black, yellow, or white, the 

 white stain is lustrous and conspicuous, and gives them a 

 curious appearance, especially to the blacks. The effect of 

 these white stains on their black skin is rather ludicrous. 

 It is a cutaneous malady of which very little is known. 

 Entire villages are affected with that malady, and I confess 

 that I had some hesitation in eating tortillas, (a sort of pancake 

 made of maize, the bread of the country), cooked and manipu 

 lated by the hands of stained women ; but it seems that there 

 is no risk in doing so. This curious malady is only catching 

 by inoculation and cohabitation of the sexes. 



I have known a rich Spaniard willing to pay a large 

 sum to anyone able to cure him ; but I really do not 

 know whether it is curable. If it is, I am afraid that it would 

 require a long time. 



Those who are so affected, feel a great itching in these 

 parts, and are constantly seen scratching themselves, and 

 taking of their skin, a sort of scaly skin powder, quite visible to 

 the eye. Besides they smell bad ly. In the tierras calientes 

 (hot countries) few are the inhabitants of the State of 

 Guerrero who are not affected by this malady, to which I call 

 the attention of the medical profession. 



I will conclude my narrative about the State of Guerrero, 

 by calling the attention of enterprising miners to the various 

 metals and precious stones found in that State. Rich placers 

 of gold have been found in San-Jose Piedras-blancas, and 

 many more are said to exist. Silver, which is found abun 

 dantly and nearly pure, is worked in the mines of Tasco, 

 Tehuilotepec, and Juliantla. Silver and gold mixed, in 

 Tepautitlan, Cinnabria or Quick-silver, is abundant in all the 

 State, as are also copper, lead and iron. Coal has also been 

 found in several places. Sulphur and saltpetre are abundant. 

 In precious stones, amethyst is very common, and I have been 

 told that rubies, topazes, emeralds, and even diamonds are to 

 be found. During the War of Independence, some white 

 crystals of a good size, w r ere given to General Guerrero, bv r 

 one of his soldiers, as having been found in the State, and 

 when presented to a lapidary in Mexico, he declared that 



