Browne — Ethnography of the Mullet^ Inishkea, ^ Portacloy. 613 



" Constitutional'''' diseases. — Phthisis and struma are stated to be 

 comparatively rare. 



Malignant disease is very common in the Mullet, especially in the 

 electoral district of Binghamstown South, which includes all the 

 southern part of the peninsula. The majority of these cases are said 

 to fall into the hands of " cancer curers," who use arsenic paste. 



Kheumatism is one of the most prevalent troubles, especially in 

 the elderly and old. 



" Gravel " is a common complaint all over the district, and a good 

 many deaths from this cause are registered. 



Dietetic diseases. — Digestive troubles are very common everywhere, 

 but more especially in the inland parts where the dietary is less 

 varied; "boxty," or potato-bread and the abuse of strong tea seem 

 to be very largely responsible. 



Along the coast, ento-parasites, due to the large proportion of fish 

 in the dietary, are of very frequent occurence. 



Respiratory diseases. — Bronchitis is very prevalent in the winter 

 and spring, and spasmodic asthma is stated to be not an uncommon 

 affection. 



Local affections are few and not very serious. Conjunctivitis is 

 common, and much aggravated by the peat-smoke of the houses. 



As regards dental troubles, the people are by no means free from 

 these, though as a rule the teeth are even and white, and remain 

 sound until late in life. 



" Pemale " troubles seem to be very common. 



Venereal diseases are practically non-existant. 



Skin. — Skin diseases are very prevalent. Among these the most 

 common are — tinea tonsurans, eczema, sea boils, and scabies. 



Accidental injuries. — Owing to the mode of life of the people and 

 their environment, accidents frequently happen, especially fractures 

 and contusions from falls, bites and other injuries from domestic 

 animals, and burns. 



4. Psychology. — The difficulties of treating this part of the 

 subject justly are, in the case of a stranger, very great, as his 

 acquaintance with the people cannot be of sufficiently long standing 

 to allow of the knowledge of more than the superficial part of 

 their character, while, in the case of a resident, personal likes and 

 antipathies, and local quarrels or friendships, largely influence his 

 opinions. 



The following description, though to some extent derived from 

 personal observation, is for the most part obtained from several local 



