Browne— IV^e Ethnography of Clare Island and Tnishturk. 57 



beyond the family likeness or fixation of type observable among the 

 people, there seems to be little or no perceptible result. The inhabi- 

 tants of Clare Island frequently intermarry with those of Inishturk, 

 but unions with people from Achill seem to be of rare occurrence. 



Diseases. — As before observed, considerable difficulty was expe- 

 rienced in obtaining reliable information on the prevailing complaints ; 

 but the following, based partly on personal observation, partly on> 

 information received from trustworthy sources, is believed to be cor- 

 rect so far as it goes : — 



Insanity. — Two cases known within the past few years (the exact 

 period could not be ascertained). 



Idiocy and Inibecility. — JS'one. 



Hpilepsy is not common, but two cases are known to exist, both 

 mild. 



Deaf-mutism. — There are no deaf-mutes on either island, nor could 

 I find that there ever had been any within the memory of any of the 

 inhabitants. 



Congenital Blindness and Malformations. — There are no cases of 

 congenital malformations or blindness on either of the islands. 



Fevers are stated to be of common occurrence, though not so much 

 so as formerly. Typhus and enteric fever are the most common visi- 

 tants. "With new and improved habitations for the people these 

 scourges ought in future to be of much less frequent occurrence. 



FMMsis and " Striima'''' are said to be unknown on the islands ,-^^ 

 they certainly are not common. 



Bronchitis and Pneumonia are not very common. 



Rheiimatism, especially lumbago, is one of the most common com- 

 plaints. A man gathering seaweed or otherwise wet through will 

 simply dry himself before the fire, or let the soaked garments remain 

 on him as they are. Acute rheumatism is said to be unknown here, 

 as on several of the islands visited in other siirveys. 



Dietetic Diseases. — As might be expected from the nature of the 

 dietary, various forms of dyspepsia are commonly met with. Th& 

 constant use of very strong tea at most meals is blamed by the older 

 people for much of this, and, no doubt, with considerable justice. As 

 fish forms so large a portion of the daily food, ento-parasites, as might 

 be expected, are a common cause of complaint. 



" Gravel " is said to be a very common affection. 



local Affections are few, and not very serious. Skin diseases are- 

 the most common of these; those most often suffered from are sea- 

 boils, eczema, acne, and scabies. 



