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DISSEllTATIO MEDICA INAUGURAL-IS 

 J)E FRAMBCESIA.* 



PIUKEMIUM. 



Amongst the various disorders to which mankind arc liable 

 betwixt the Tropics, that of Yaws is the most remarkable, 

 whether from the horrid appearance of the persons afflicted, 

 or its direful effects in particular cases. 



The yaws is an African distemper, and the name is pro- 

 bably synonymous with the generic name Frambcesia, from 

 the resemblance of the eruptions or funguses on the skin to 

 the strawberry. 



In that part of Africa called Guinea, the yaws seems 

 endemic, and attacks people of all ages, but chiefly children, 

 or youth. The Negroes are predestinarians, and take no 

 pains to avoid this or any other infectious disorder, but con- 

 tinue to live in the same house with the infected. 



From Guinea it has been imported to all our West India 

 Islands, and America, in both which it is very common, and 

 now and then makes its appearance in this country. The 

 havock this terrible disorder annually makes amongst the Ne- 

 groes in the West Indies is truly deplorable, and merits the at- 

 tention of the Statesman, the Planter, and Physician. It may 

 not be in our power to prevent the spreading of this disorder 

 amongst the Negroes, but humanity and sound policy call 

 aloud on us to alleviate the sufferings and distresses of this 

 class of mankind, when they are so unfortunate as to be in- 

 fected with this cruel malady. 



" This Thesis was prepared by Dr Wright for the use of a ward of his 

 from the West Indies. It is now printed from the English draft, in I) 1 

 Wright's handwriting, iri preference to the Latin version. 



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