Browne — Ethnographi/ of Inishbofin and Inishshark. 343 



Malformations are scarce, but as mentioned before (p. 323), arrest 

 of growth of the pinna of the left ear was observed in one instance ; and 

 a boy with talipes equino-varus was seen near Westquarter ; but his 

 condition was said not to be congenital, but acquired as the result of 

 an accident. 



ILernice have been of pretty frequent occurrence of late years, Dr. 

 Hart having seen six cases since 1888, before which date he had no 

 record of having observed any cases of it. Of these six, four were of 

 inguinal hernia, three on the right side, and one on the left, one was a 

 left femoral, and one, in a female child, umbilical. The sudden 

 occurrence of so many cases in succession would seem to indicate some 

 cause of recent origin ; what this may be it is~difficult to see, but it is 

 ascribed by some to the new style of work required for the building of 

 the fish-curing station, piers, and other relief work, requiring the 

 lifting of heavy weights. 



Fevers. — Measles and scarlet fever have not been seen for some time. 

 Some years ago there was an outbreak of enteric fever in Middle- 

 quarter, when a large proportion of the population of the hamlet were 

 attacked by it, and there were several deaths. 



" Constitutional ''^ diseases. — Phthisis, though not common, is some- 

 times met with ; and strumous affections, abscesses, &c., are not un- 

 frequently seen, though not very numerous on the wliole. The only 

 wonder is that these affections are not more common, as the sanitary 

 state of the houses is not by any means good ; and it must be mainly 

 due to their open-air life that they do not suffer more. Malignant 

 disease is said to be unknown. Rheumatism, especially in the form of 

 lumbago, is a very common complaint, but the acute form is rare. 



Dietetic Diseases. — These, with rheumatism and bronchitis, form 

 the great majority of all the affections met with ; the large extent to 

 which fish and potatoes enter into their dietary may have something 

 to do with this, but there can be no doubt that the use, or abuse, of 

 tea must bear a certain amount of the blame. The most common 

 forms of complaint are flatulence and constipation. As might be 

 expected from the fact of fish forming a large part of the every-day 

 food of the people, ento-parasites are among the most common of all 

 troubles, about every tenth case applying for treatment being due to 

 them. Ascaris lumhricoides is the worm most frequently found. 



Respiratory Diseases. — Phthisis has been before alluded to ; bron- 

 chitis and pneumonia are not uncommon in the winter months. 



Local affections are but few, and those not very serious. Eyes. — 

 Phlyctenular ophthalmia is not very common. The teeth are usually 



