:::;:::::*; TWO BIRD- LOVERS IN MEXICO M^z^ 



whip-like, humming sound, which rose to a continuous 

 murmvu- when a large number flew past at once. 



As the days passed and we still camjDcd, unharmed, 

 in the presence of the Virgin's image on the cliff, the 

 poor Mexicans, who came with eggs or vegetables for 

 sale, began to hold us in high esteem. My small 

 medicine-chest and bottles of formaline aroused still 

 greater respect and I found, to my surprise, that I had 

 gained the reputation of being an infallible physician. 

 It was pitiful to see the faith with which the poor 

 Mexicans and Indians brought their sick children, or 

 told me of their own troubles. I vowed that I knew little 

 or nothing of therapeutics, and that I had only the simp- 

 lest of remedies with me. But they shook their heads 

 sadly and added a few centavos to the pittance which 

 they had offered me, not believing my assertion that I 

 did not want pay. These poor people had no idea of 

 hygiene or of the curative properties of pure water. I 

 did what I could with listerine and dioxide of hydrogen. 



There is a wide field for missionary work in this 

 country, but a car-load of antiseptics and the doctrine 

 of cleanliness should precede it. We, of the North, have 

 not the slightest idea of the misery resulting from the 

 ignorance of these people. One bright young fellow 

 whom I tried to cure was literally dying of dirt. When 

 taken sick the only treatment which his family advised 

 was complete abstinence from the use of water! His 

 food, in the hottest of weather, was fried beans, pork, 



«4 284 ^ 



