TAHITI AND EIMEO. 49 



thousand, and for that of Eimeo one thousand. When this is compared 

 with the estimates of the navigators who first visited these islands, an 

 enormous decrease would appear to have taken place. The first esti- 

 mates were, however, based on erroneous data, and were unquestion- 

 ably far too high ; yet there is no doubt that the population has fallen 

 off considerably in the interval. The decrease may be ascribed in 

 part to the remains of the old custom of infanticide, in part to new dis- 

 eases introduced from abroad, and the evils entailed upon them by 

 foreigners, and in part to the transition now going on from a savage 

 to a civilized life. 



Whatever may have been the case, during the first years after it 

 was visited by Europeans, the population for the last thirty years has 

 been nearly stationary ; the births and deaths are now almost exactly 

 in equal numbers. One of the oldest of the missionaries informed me, 

 that although he saw much change in the character and habits of the 

 people, he could perceive none in their apparent numbers. 



Tahiti does not appear to be afflicted by many diseases. Some 

 have been introduced by foreign ships, and among others, the venereal, 

 from which the natives suffer much, being in possession of no method 

 of arresting its ravages, and ignorant of the proper mode of treating 

 it. In connexion with this subject, the want of a physician as a part 

 of the missionary establishment, struck me as an instance of neglect 

 in its managers ; and I was surprised to hear that the London Society 

 did not employ any medical men. From this cause, not only are the 

 natives deprived of the benefits which might so easily have been 

 conferred upon them, but the missionaries themselves are compelled 

 to pay, out of their private purses, for medical aid, when it can be 

 procured. They are even at times wholly without a physician. This 

 happened to be the case at the time of our arrival, when a medical 

 practitioner who had formerly resided on the island, had just taken his 

 departure. 



The effects of intoxication from ardent spirits and ava are said to 

 have swept off many of the inhabitants. Secondary syphilis is in 

 some cases severe, but their usual vegetable diet and simple mode of 

 living, together with frequent ablutions, tend to mitigate this disease. 

 Its continued prevalence, as well as the severity of some of the cases, 

 are ascribable to the inordinate use of mercury, administered by a 

 physician w T ho was accustomed to distribute it in inordinate quantities 

 among the affected, who were of course ignorant of its nature and 

 consequences. 



While lying at Papieti, we had an opportunity of seeing the manner 

 in which justice is administered in criminal cases. The court was 



VOL. II. E 7 



