22 DISEASES OF [PART I. 



will doubtless be that many complicated forms of 

 those diseases will appear : diseases of the hip-joint, 

 for instance, and of the spinal column, and distor- 

 tions of the spine in early infancy, which even now 

 are not very rare. A disease called wai-ake-ake is 

 very common ; it is a sort of pustulous scabies, very 

 difficult to cure without altering the manner of 

 living and throwing aside that most unhealthy 

 vestment the blanket. Ringworm also is prevalent. 

 Besides these diseases, chronic catarrhs are the most 

 common complaints, in consequence of the natives 

 exposing themselves to the cold and humid external 

 air, after having been heated in their houses by a 

 temperature of 100 Fahrenheit; many of these 

 attacks terminate in consumption. In the interior 

 of the country, where the natives have seldom come 

 in contact with Europeans, and where they have 

 preserved their own customs, sickness is far less 

 common. This is especially the case in that exten- 

 sive district from Taupo to Roturua, where thermal 

 springs are found. Kind Nature has provided here 

 one of the principal remedies against scrofulous 

 and eruptive diseases resulting from uncleanliness. 

 The natives are continually bathing in the sul- 

 phurous and alkaline waters ; and in this thermal 

 region they are a healthy race, with a very fine and 

 elastic skin. 



Club-feet (e ape) are not uncommon. Amongst 

 monstrosities I have also observed hair-lip (e ngutu 

 riwa) ; and individuals are occasionally met with 



