MEDICAL SURVEY OF THE TOWN OF TAYTAY. 249 



much used as a condiment, as are also garlic and peppers. Tuberous 

 and other starchy roots are used to some extent, but principally as a 

 substitute for rice, when the latter is scarce. Almost the only variation 

 in tlie food from day to day consists in the use of different kinds of 

 vegetables in the seasoning of the stew. The kitchen work is ver}- light, 

 compared with the standards of more highly civilized countries. There 

 is only the washing of the rice and vegetables and the cleaning of the 

 fish or fowl, before the pot goes on the fire, and only a very limited 

 number of dishes to clean afterwards. 



When the meal is ready, the rice is turned out uj^on a large platter, 

 usually of crude porcelain but sometimes of wood, or, occasionally, upon 

 a banana leaf, and the seasoned stew is poured into another dish or 

 pel haps served in the pot in which it was cooked. Both are then placed 

 on the floor or on a low table (about 15 centimeters in height). The 

 family gathers in a squatting position around this tal)le, or around the 

 ])latter and dish on the floor. Each one takes with his fingers a small 

 l)ortion of rice, which is worked with the finger tips into a bolus, dipped 

 into the stew and then put into the mouth. From time to time a piece 

 of fish or other tidbit is taken from the stew. "\A'Tien the meal is finished, 

 no further toilet is made other than wiping -the fingers and mouth on a 

 bit of rag. 



The waste from the kitchen such as fish scales, feathers, entrails, 

 vegetable parings, etc., are thrown irpon a rubbish heap, and such parts 

 as escape the attentions of the family pig are burned, sometimes daily, 

 sometimes at longer intervals. The slops from the washing of food, 

 dishes, and vessels, are merely poured through the crevices in the kitchen 

 floor; and this practice results in the universal presence of a puddle 

 of foul, stagnant mud imderneath the kitchen. 



WATER. 



There are a number of wells within the town, the water oC which is 

 used for various domestic purposes, but not for drinking. Drinking 

 water is usually obtained from springs and wells in the fields, about 

 200 meters from the outer limits of the town. The only provision for 

 di-awing water is an empty petroleum can and a rope. A length of 

 bamboo or a wooden beam is placed across the mouth of the well, and 

 the drawer stands with one foot on this beam and the other on the 

 curb for greater convenience in pulling uj) the can. Women fi'equently 

 go for water with an eartlien pot, which is carried on the head; but a 

 man will usually carry two i)etroleum tins swung from a stout piece of 

 bamboo across the shoulder. When the house is reached, the water is 

 emptied into the jars. There are separate jars for drinking water. 

 Each jar, whether the water contained in it is destined for drinking 

 or for other uses, is provided with a wooden cover and with a coconut 



