DISSERTATION 0\ THE YAW s H):i 



Dr Hillary and .some oth< vs have alleged tliat where the 



J ,ius break out, the hair of that part turns white. But sueh 

 authors have either heen misinformed in this ei re u instance, or 

 have confounded the yaws with the lepra, where actually the 

 change of colour occurs. 



This is a true account of the disorder when left to nature, 

 and neither retarded nor forwarded by medicine or outward 

 application to the part first infected. But if a yaw sore, for 

 example, on the leg or foot, is treated as a common ulcer, 

 or the person continues to work or stand as in health, this 

 sore soon becomes an ill-disposed ulcer ; the neighbouring 

 parts are inflamed ; the edges of the ulecr are ragged, and 

 turn back like those of cancerous ulcers. The surface of the 

 ulcer looks foul, with white small specks or sloughs. The flesh 

 is corroded and discharged in large blaek clots, the discharge 

 is ichorous, black, and extremely offensive, and the patient's 

 strength is wasted and worn out with pain The eruption 

 of the yaws is retarded, and when it appears is of long con- 

 tinuance ; especially if mcreurials have been given too early. 



When the yaws are repelled (which has been heretofore 

 practised on board of Guineamen), by various external appli- 

 cations, as blue vitriol and solutions of corrosive sublimate, 

 the disorder, it is true, disappears for a short time, and the 

 Negro is sold as sound, the purchaser is cheated, and the 

 poor Negro runs the risk of his life. Abuses of such a flagi- 

 tious kind merit the severest punishment that the law can in- 

 flict. This pernicious fraud is with difficulty perceivable by 

 the purchaser ; but it is of consequence he should detect it 

 early, otherwise the constitution will infallibly be ruined. 

 When there is a glossy smoothness of the skin in those parts 

 where the yaws commonly break out, we may almost be cer- 

 tain that repellents have been used. The sooner, then, that 

 the disease is again thrown on the surface, the better chance 

 the Negro has to regain his health. This is best done by sul- 

 phur with diaphoretic drinks and thcriaca ; above all, by 



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