REPORT. 151 



of the thirty-ninth regiment, was deputed to 

 this office. A more judicious selection could not 

 have been made, although it may be regretted 

 that his arrival was too late to observe its pro- 

 gress through the different stages, but he in- 

 defatigably devoted himself to procure such in- 

 formation as would place the nature of the disease 

 almost beyond a doubt. The result was a col- 

 lection of most interesting information upon its 

 progress, character, &c., although several in- 

 teresting points are still open for further medical 

 observation and inquiry. On my return to 

 Sydney, Dr. Mair kindly favoured me with a 

 copy of the report he tmade to the colonial go- 

 vernment, and I have availed myself of many 

 of his remarks, and have devoted a chapter to 

 the subject, regarding it as one interesting to 

 non-medical, as well as medical readers, as 

 the same disease, or at all events one very 

 closely allied to it, has been, and still too 

 often is, the cause of much domestic misery and 

 suffering. 



As far back as the year 1789, says Dr. Mair 

 in his report, an eruptive disorder, resembling 

 the small-pox, broke out among the aborigines, 

 and proved extensively fatal : its marks are still 

 to be seen on the bodies of several of them of 

 very advanced age, corresponding in appearance 



