THE PEOPLE OF THE COAST 179 



The sicknesses of the coast are not indigenous. In the 

 past seventeen years there have been grippe; a few cases 

 of small-pox, imported by a schooner from the Gulf; 

 scarlet fever brought from Newfoundland in a steamer; 

 one small outbreak of diphtheria in the Straits on the 

 arrival of the summer visitors; and in summer a few 

 sporadic cases of typhoid. 



The Eskimo brought back from the Chicago Exposition 

 typhoid of a very virulent type, which killed several hun- 

 dred of them ; and, from the Buffalo Exposition, diphtheria, 

 which is still raging amongst them, and has destroyed 

 many. An epidemic of grippe, complicated with pneu- 

 monia and pericarditis, killed about sixty in the neighbour- 

 hood of Okkak. The worst enemy of the Eskimo is, again, 

 tuberculosis, and from that in one form or another most 

 of the people die. The disease is entirely due to ignorance, 

 neglect, and poverty. Of late, an active crusade against 

 it has been commenced. 



On the other hand, so healthful is the country that I have 

 no hesitation in recommending it for neurotics, or even to 

 persons with disposition for tuberculosis. In winter the 

 dry cold, in spring the low latitude and reflected sunshine, 

 and in summer the clear cold, bracing air, are great 

 recommendations . 



When speaking of the people of the coast, one is apt to 

 overlook those who are represented in Labrador only by 

 agents in their various businesses. Were it not for their 

 enterprise and courage, the Labrador fishery would be lost 

 to the human race. Labrador owes them many debts, 

 and the people almost owe their existence to them. 

 To-day the merchants carrying on business in Labrador 



