1865.] On the Boksas of Bijnour. 167 
In a proverbiably malarious district like that inhabited by 
these people, one might have been prepared to find the “ Spleen- 
test,” of some importance, and I was somewhat surprised to dis- 
cover that in not one of the numerous adults examined, was the 
spleen notably enlarged. Indeed most of them lad never heard of 
such a thing as pilaé, while those who had, generally attributed their 
freedom from it to—as usual the githt and alcohol they consume. 
The percentage of enlarged spleens among the inhabitants of a district, 
as a test of the intensity of malaria in it, was first proposed by Dr. 
Dempster, when on the ‘“ Canal Committee” in 1847, and, since that 
time, it has been held as a dogma by probably the bulk of the profes- 
sion in India, that a large number of “ ague cakes” shew increased 
malarious activity in a district, while a blank return as to enlarged 
spleens would indicate absence or weakness of the miasm. Indeed, a 
report is on record, by a member of our service, who, when acting on o 
committee appointed to select a sanatarium, having in the course 
of a few minutes examined some of the residents of the village, 
and found few or no enlarged spleens, immediately pronounced the 
site “free from fever influences.” But the almost total absence of 
spleen affection among this tribe, who inhabit from year to year, and all 
the year long, a tract whereall the elements generally considered 
necessary, for the development of malaria are in full perfection for 
several months each season, and where it is but too certain that the 
miasm itself exists in the greatest activity at that time,—would induce 
us to believe, that there is still some datum to be discovered ere the 
“ spleen-test”’ theory can be formalized. 
Nor are we by any means at the bottom of the question 
of acclimatization so-called, in regard to a case apparently so 
simple as that of the Boksa living in comparative health throughout 
the year, in a tract twenty-four hours of many parts of which, at 
& 

certain seasons, would be deadly to the newcomer. The Boksas’ 
comparative immunity from malarious fevers has frequently been 
attributed especially to two causes; Ist, their not going out of doors 
after sunset in the fever-season, and 2nd, their houses being raised on 
poles at that time. Unfortunately, among our Boksas, neither of these 
habits has any existence,—houses on poles are unknown, and although 
in the rains, the Boksas naturally are not inclined to go out after dark 
