SAMOAN GROUP. 125 



Ophthalmia, which is supposed to arise from the reflection of the 

 sun from the sandy beaches near which all their villages are built, is 

 so prevalent, that, to speak within bounds, not less than a fifth part of 

 the population is affected with it.* In most cases it was observed to 

 begin on the inner corner of the eye, whence it extends gradually 

 over the pupil, until the sight is completely lost. As the disease 

 advances, the thickness of the film increases, and when it has covered 

 the eye, that organ becomes enlarged and appears to project. From 

 appearances it would not be difficult to remove the film, and thus cure 

 the disorder; but the natives have not made any attempt of the kind. 

 Several cases of total blindness arising from this disorder were seen. 



The venereal disease does not exist at Tutuila, and is hardly known 

 in the other islands. This serves to prove how great a superiority this 

 island possesses over Tahiti in the chastity of its females, who in gene- 

 ral observe their marriage vow with strict fidelity. 



Fevers are rare, and those of a remittent and intermittent type are 

 unknown ; in fact, the geological formation of these islands is by no 

 means favourable to the generation of the miasmata that cause them. 



No means of medical assistance are attached to the English mission, 

 and the missionaries, therefore, can do but little in alleviating the mala- 

 dies of the natives. Even their slight knowledge of remedies affords 

 some alleviation, and their practice is far preferable to that of the 

 natives, who always abandon to their fate those who are very ill. 



Among the few curative means that the natives do employ is a sort 

 of shampooing. This is performed by rubbing the body and limbs 

 with the hands, at first gently, and gradually more and more roughly. 

 These manipulations are applied as a restorative after fatigue, and to 

 alleviate pain. For the former purpose they are effectual, and often 

 abate, if they do not remove, the latter. 



Among all the Polynesian islanders, the men of Samoa rank, in 

 point of personal appearance, second only to the Tongese ; and many 

 specimens of manly beauty are to be seen among them. As much 

 cannot be said of the women, who are rather ill-formed and stout. 

 When very young, however, some of them are pretty, and their colour 

 is light, being little darker than that of a brunette or South American 

 Spaniard. The girls are lively, have a good expression of counte- 

 nance, and, what is rare in Polynesia, have some degree of bashful- 

 ness. 



The average height of the men is five feet ten inches, and some of 



* It is so common at Savaii, that at least one case of blindness, in one or both eyes, is to 

 be seen in every family. 



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