348 FEEJEE GROUP. 



culars the epidemic that raged so extensively in America about the 

 same time. From the natives' account, the last time that it occurred, 

 there were not enough of well people in the village to look after the 

 sick. In some villages one-half the population died. Whippy did 

 not think this account exaggerated, and many of the whites say that 

 at least one-tenth of the inhabitants fell victims to it, either at the time 

 of the attack or from the effects of it. 



Whippy said that the mode of treating it was to drink plenty of 

 warm water, roll themselves up in mats, and lay themselves down in 

 their houses, where many of them died. Tui Levuka, when asked 

 for information about it, spoke of it with much dread. 



From the observations throughout the group, we found that ele- 

 phantiasis did not prevail to the extent that we had remarked at the 

 more eastern and northern groups. It is said to prevail most at the 

 isle of Kantavu, but as we had but little communication with its 

 natives, I am not able to assert that this is correct. 



Dr. Fox remarks, that rheumatism is very common, more particu- 

 larly among the women. Acute rheumatism is not very prevalent. 

 The pain is principally experienced in the long bones, and they relieve 

 it as they do other pains, by making deep incisions over the part 

 affected : for this purpose sometimes, when cutting about the joints, 

 they sever the tendons. The effect of this practice is seen in large 

 scars upon almost every individual. 



Dr. Fox saw a lad, often years old, who had been cut in all direc- 

 tions for a severe rheumatism he was subject to. Exostosis of all the 

 long bones, and also of the skull, were apparent on him. He had, 

 however, received so much relief from it, that he rather sought the 

 operation. He suffered the most severely at night, and in bad 

 weather. 



Dysentery has never prevailed here as an epidemic, although cases 

 now and then occur, from irregularities, as elsewhere. The disease 

 of the spine which we found so prevalent at the Samoan Group, is 

 quite rare here. 



Of phthisis pulmonalis Dr. Fox did not see a case, and he thinks it 

 must be rare. In his inquiries among the white men, he heard of a 

 disease somewhat resembling it, and which, he thinks, may be it, or 

 some acute disease of the lungs. This was said frequently to attack 

 fine stout and healthy young men, who would be seen engaged in 

 all kinds of sports with their companions, and apparently as active 

 and in as good health as any around them, and would suddenly con- 



