404 DISSERTATION ON THE YAWS. 



strengthening diet. But should the yawy matter continue 

 long in the habit, the worst consequences follow. The dis- 

 order recurs with redoubled violence. In some it breaks out 

 into the extremities with the most obstinate, cancerous, and 

 cadaverous ulcers. In others, the body swells, and becomes 

 as it were one abscess. The whole adipose membrane is filled 

 with pus, and the poor creature dies tabid. 



The benign yaw, if properly managed, goes completely oft' 

 in a few months ; but if interrupted in its course, by me- 

 dicine or otherwise, it occasions either foul and carious ul- 

 cers in different parts, erosions of the nose and palate, bone- 

 ache, or distortions of the limbs, which are difficult of cure, 

 and sometimes resist every application. 



The yaws break out also in the soles of the feet and palms 

 of the hands. As those parts in Negroes are callous from 

 walking bare-footed, or from labour, the parts affected become 

 swelled, inflamed, and painful, and unless skilfully treated 

 continue troublesome for a number of years. 



Nosologists have divided the yaws into two species, viz. 

 the Guinea and American. This happens when the disorder 

 has been seen in different circumstances. Such distinctions 

 are no way different, and only serve to puzzle the practi- 

 tioner. 



There is a disorder in this country and in Ireland, called 

 the Sivvens, which is a true species of Framboesia, but the 

 symptoms are not alike in all respects. The Sivvens is an 

 Erse word for raspberry, because, in very advanced slates of 

 the disease, certain spongy excrescences break out in various 

 parts. See an excellent account of this disease in Edinburgh 

 Essays, Physical and Literary, vol. iii. p. 155. 



As this disorder was first brought to the Highlands of Scot- 

 land by the Protector's soldiers, I beg leave to denominate it 

 Framba?sia Cromwel liana. 



This dissertation being an account of the African or Guinea 

 yaws, I shall not enter minutely into the history of the Siv- 



