HRDLicKA] PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL OBSERVATIONS 189 



Constipation, while by no means as common as amon^ the whites 

 (and especially as anion*:; white women), was heard of quite often. 



An occasional case of dropsy shows the occurrence of nephritis. 

 Kidney disorders in pregnancy and eclampsia appear to be rare. 



Diseases of the sexual organs, excepting syphilis and gonorrhea, are 

 very seldom alluded to, or indicated by any external signs, among 

 those who approac-h or are approached by the j^hysician. The 

 women usually deny their existence. Perineal and uterine lacera- 

 tions, prolapsus, and other morbid conditions presumably should 

 be rather common, but whatever evidence is obtainable in the mat- 

 ter contradicts such an opinion. Amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and 

 metrorrhagia occur, though rarely. 



Venereal diseases, while carefully guarded against — in some instances 

 with apparent success — prevail more or less in the tribes near rail- 

 road centers and near larger white settlements. Notwithstanding 

 the unhygienic condition of the Indians, neither syphilis nor gonor- 

 rhea is commonly attended by great destruction of tissue or grave 

 general consequences. The bones of the syphilitics, however, ulti- 

 mately become affected as in whites. In women syphilis generally 

 conditions premature births, and the infants are usualh^ dead. Inher- 

 ited signs of syphilis in living children are very uncommon.'* 



With few exceptions, diseases of the skin are restricted to cases of 

 eczema, favus, or ulcers (pemphigus, and especially impetigo con- 

 tagiosa) in the children, acne in adolescents or young adults, and 

 some ulcers, due to neglect, in the older. 



Of nervous and mental disorders headache is quite common; ver- 

 tigo is heard of occasionally; hysteria of light-to-moderate form is 

 met with occasionally in growing-up girls; tremors occur in those 

 addicted to drink; epilepsy and weak-mindedness are quite rare, 

 though perhaps not more so than among whites; insanity and paraly- 

 sis are very infrequent, and high-grade idiocy is almost unknown. Of 

 many nervous or mental pathological conditions nothing at all could 

 be learned. 



Diseases and defects of the sense organs include numerous opthal- 

 mias, some trachoma, and occasionally a cataract. Strabismus is 

 very rare. Narrowing of the lids in consequence of chronic inflam- 

 mation of the conjunctiva is common in old people. Corneal ulcera- 

 tion and opacities are not infrequent. In every tribe, but particu- 

 larly among some of the Pueblos, there are found a number — in some 

 instances a relatively large number — of individuals who have lost 

 their sight in consequence of some eye affection. In a few the cause 

 has been an attack of smallpox. Minor disorders of vision are com- 

 mon among the more advanced Indian scholars. Ear diseases and 



aln the older burials iu the Southwest and northern Mexico, the bones show no syphilis, or at 

 most a very few doubtful cases. 



