286 PAUMOTU GROUP AND 



the great mortality among them, which has been before spoken of. They 

 are also allowed to cat the most indigestible food, and from this and 

 other causes are frequently seen covered with excoriations and ulcers, 

 that are truly horrible. 



A somewhat similar disease to that which we have observed in the 

 other Polynesian islands, exists here under the name of the poupou ; but 

 it is by no means so violent, nor did we see any cases of so disgusting a 

 character as those heretofore described : it is very much confined to the 

 young. 



In speaking of the native diseases, I cannot but think that many of 

 them are brought about by the habit of eating their food so much 

 fermented, until indeed at times it has become disagreeable to the 

 smell: in this state, however, it is always preferred. I do not remem- 

 ber having observed this to be the case in any other of the Polynesian 

 islands, as respects their vegetable diet. 



Epidemics are not frequent, although a dreadful one prevailed in 

 1803 and 1804, which is said to have destroyed a large number of the 

 inhabitants, and visited all the islands. 



The whooping-cough was introduced in some way, and spread itself 

 throughout the group. 



The influenza prevails both during the winter and spring, but is only 

 fatal to the old and weak. 



The native doctors, if such they may be called, frequently aggravate 

 disease by their nostrums. Dr. Judd related to me many instances of 

 their quackery, which not unfrequently ended in death. The native 

 remedies, however, are of some value, if they had knowledge enough 

 properly to apply them ; but without this intelligence, they are at all 

 times more or less dangerous : they consist of the candle-nut (Aleurites 

 triloba), the bitter calabash (Cucurbita lagenaria), the seeds of the 

 castor-oil nut, a species of Ipomcea, and many other powerful herbs, 

 of which they make strong decoctions : these are often administered by 

 enema, and their operation frequently brings on great agonies and 

 death. To these are added incantations, which of themselves are quite 

 enough to kill. But, worst of all, it often happens that those who are 

 well are induced to take preventive remedies for future sickness, which 

 are said in some cases to be more severe than the constitution of the 

 patient can bear. 



Of surgery the Hawaiians know nothing whatever, nor have they 

 much occasion for its practice, for few of them receive injuries suffi- 

 cient to call for the application of that branch of the healing art. 



The physicians attached to the mission, of which there are several, 

 do incalculable good in alleviating distresses and superintending their 



