Leaves from a Madeira Garden 



when we announced that it should be done by 

 an English doctor with English lymph, the 

 reluctance disappeared. We invited them to 

 bring their relations, which many of them did. 



The redeeming feature of such a crisis is that 

 it always produces acts of heroism and un- 

 selfishness. Such were not wanting here. The 

 doyen of the medical profession, Dr. Mourao 

 Pitta — for many years Vice-Consul of France, 

 a fine example of the old-fashioned doctor, a 

 man of culture and of the world, of wide 

 sympathies and many social gifts, a welcome 

 guest at every man's table and a genial host at 

 his own — wore himself out in visiting the 

 poorest of the sick in their squalid homes. He 

 was not strong or young enough to bear the 

 continuous strain, and died a victim of blood- 

 poisoning contracted in the course of his 

 labours. His self-sacrifice added one more 

 name to the roll of martyrs which honours his 

 profession ; and his death left a void in many 

 lives. 



When things were at their worst, when it 

 appeared likely that the disease would extend 

 all over the island, and that with the dis- 

 organization of trade widespread distress would 



93 



