124 SAMOAN GROUP. 



We have seen that it possesses the sibilant sound of s, and every one 

 of the words terminates with a vowel. 



A separate dialect is appropriate to the chiefs, all of whose actions, 

 the parts of their bodies, &c, have different names from those of the 

 common people. The Philological Report is referred to for further 

 information upon this subject. 



Many of the Samoans reach the age of seventy or eighty years. 

 There is, however, a great mortality among the young children, which 

 is probably owing to their exposure to the weather. Those who sur- 

 vive, grow up robust and healthy. 



Among the diseases which afflict the adults, one of the most usual is 

 a spinal affection, which results in caries and produces humpback. This 

 is no doubt owing to the peculiar manner in which the children are 

 carried. Catarrhs and bronchial disorders, occasioned by the exposed 

 life of the natives, are prevalent, and a white resident died of phthisis 

 during our stay. The dysentery, as an epidemic, is unknown, but 

 sporadic cases of it occur, occasioned by imprudence in diet. 



There is an eruptive complaint, called ilamea, which covers many 

 of the children under the age of ten years with sores, and which seems 

 more particularly to attack the face and head. The mode in which it 

 is treated is singular : the child is rubbed with the husks of the cocoa- 

 nut, until all the scabs are removed ; a soft preparation of the bread- 

 fruit is then applied, after which they are washed. This operation is 

 undergone every time they bathe, which is daily. When the bread- 

 fruit is not in season, a decoction of the husk of the cocoa-nut is used 

 in its place. 



The elephantiasis prevails to a great extent among men who are 

 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 frequency 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 cause 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. 



