512 DE FUCA'S STRAITS AND 



The cartilage of the nose is, also, perforated, and pieces of polished 

 bone or wood passed through it. Although the dress of these natives 

 would seem to offer some concealment to the body, few are seen that 

 wear it with any kind of decency. Their persons are usually very 

 filthy, and they may be said to be at all times coated with dirt. 

 They are fond of wearing brass rings on their wrists and fingers, and 

 a few are seen to be tattooed who have some lines upon the arms and 

 face. They disfigure their bodies by the manner in which they daub 

 themselves with red ochre, mixed with salmon-oil, which, besides 

 being disgusting in appearance, is extremely so in smell. 



Dr. Holmes, of the Porpoise, had an opportunity of examining 

 some of their maladies. Pulmonary complaints are very common, 

 and occasion (jreat sufferino;. The diseases most often met with are 

 bronchitis, and tubercular consumption. Rheumatic affections are 

 also of frequent occurrence. Their treatment does not differ mate- 

 rially from that of the tribes in the interior, already described in 

 speaking of their medicine-men. Cures are sometimes attempted by 

 making use of hot and cold bathing in every case, and without dis- 

 crimination. Dr. Holmes saw an old man in the last stage of con- 

 sumption, shivering from the effects of a cold bath at the temperature 

 of 40° Fahrenheit. A favourite remedy in pulmonary consump- 

 tion is to tie a rope tightly around the thorax, so as to force the 

 diaphragm to perform respiration without the aid of the thoracic 

 muscles. 



Intermittents are also common, from which they suffer much. Hot 

 baths are invariably used for this disease, after which the patient 

 plunges immediately into cold water, where he remains until chilled. 

 A thorough shampooing then succeeds, and a few howls and incan- 

 tations complete the treatment. 



Notwithstanding they hold their medicine-men in great repute, 

 both the patients and their friends were very grateful for any aid 

 rendered by Dr. Holmes, and readily took every thing offered them. 



The brig moved, on the 18th June, to the northern outlet of Pos- 

 session Sound, through Deception Passage. This was not believed 

 by Vancouver to afford a passage for vessels ; but, although narrow, 

 it is feasible for those of small size. The tides rush with velocity 

 through it, and there are some rocks in the passage. The Indians 

 had moved from their village to temporary huts on the beach, where 

 they seemed to enjoy themselves. 



Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold, being informed by the Indians 



