SAMO AN GROU P. 131 



past the middle age ; and some of the cases are truly frightful. There 

 are also many instances in which women are affected by it. It does 

 not appear to cause the least degree of pain. Among the reasons 

 that have been assigned for the freqtiency of this disease are, the 

 habit of eating their food without salt, and the use of cocoa-nut water ; 

 to which may be added exposure at night, and want of sufficient 

 exercise. The latter cause, whether it be capable of producing this 

 disease or not, unquestionably exists ; for they are in the habit 

 of sitting for hours with their legs bent under them, which must 

 catise a stagnation of healthy circulation. Laziness, however, cannot 

 be ascribed to them as a part of their national character, for they are 

 disposed to exertion, and willing to be employed. When, therefore, 

 they have received sufficient instruction, and civilization has taught 

 them new wants, they will probably become an industrious and 

 thriving people. 



Ophthalmia, which is supposed to arise from the reflection of the 

 sun from the sandy beaches near which all their villages are built, is 

 so prevalent, that, to speak within bounds, not less than a fifth part 

 of the population is affected with it.* In most cases it was observed 

 to begin on the inner corner of the eye, whence it extends gradually 

 over the pupil, until the sight is completely lost. As the disease 

 advances, the thickness of the film increases, and when it has covered 

 the eye, that organ becomes enlarged and appears to project. From 

 appearances it would not be difficult to remove the film, and thus 

 cure the disorder; but the natives have not made any attempt of 

 the kind. Several cases of total blindness arising;- from this disorder 

 were seen. 



The venereal disease does not exist at Tutuila, and is hardly known 

 in the other islands. This serves to prove how great a superiority 

 this island possesses over Tahiti in the chastity of its females, who in 

 general observe their marriage vow with strict fidelity. 



Fevers are rare, and those of a remittent and intermittent type are 

 unknown ; in fact, the geological formation of these islands is by no 

 means favourable to the generation of the miasmata that cause them. 



No means of medical assistance are attached to the English mis- 

 sion, and the missionaries, therefore, can do but little in alleviating 

 the maladies of the natives. Even their slight knowledge of remedies 



* It is so common at Savaii, that at least one case of blindness, in one or both eyes, is 

 to be seen in every family. 



