242 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



possibly be more, as cases of this sort in the remoter parts of Ireland 

 do not usually seek professional aid, and probably, if treated at all, 

 come only under the observation of some " wise women." 



Deaf -mutism. — There are three cases on the islands, two of them 

 in one family in Lettermullen. In none of the cases were the parents 

 related in any degree. One of these deaf mutes is by trade a carpenter, 

 and is very handy and clever at any work he undertakes. 



Blindness. — Several of the old people are blind from cataract, in- 

 cluding the grandfather of the cretin in Trabane. There are no cases 

 of congenital blindness on the islands. 



Malformations. — There is one case of " club foot" on the islands. 

 I could not get seeing the patient, nor could infonnation as to whether 

 it was congenital be obtained. One informant stated that it was, 

 another that it was not. No cases of hare-lip or cleft palate on the 

 islands. Some cases of malformations, as the result of accident, 

 rheumatism {arthitis deformans), and unset fractures are to be met with. 



Jlernia. — Dr. Connolly has come across several cases of inguinal 

 hernia in elderly men. These are probably due to strain in gathering 

 seaweed, rowing, lifting, and carrying heavy weights. 



Fevers. — During the exceptional distress of last winter and spring 

 influenza was very prevalent. Formerly there used to be an annual 

 epidemic of typhus in the islands, especially in Lettermullen, but of 

 late the number of cases has greatly diminished. No information 

 could be obtained as to other febrile complaints. 



" Constitutional " Diseases. — Contrary to what has been observed 

 in most of the islands visited, phthisis is very common (as well as 

 other tubercular complaints). A great deal of the blame for this 

 must be laid on the wretched nature of the dwellings of the people. 

 During the day they have some ventilation from the open doorway, 

 but at night, the small cabins, consisting of only one or two apart- 

 ments, and containing from live to eight or more persons, together 

 with cattle, pig, and fowls, the fire on, and the windows not made to 

 open, or non-existent, have no means of ventilation, and become 

 simply hotbeds for disease. 



One case of caries of the sternum was observed in Garumna. 



Rheumatism is one of the most common complaints, especially in 

 winter. There are a great number of chronic rheumatic cases among 

 the old people. 



Malignant tumours are said to be rare or unknown. 



Dietetic Diseases. — Dyspepsia, in its various forms, is not uncommon, 

 as might be expected from the nature of the dietary. The use, or 



