N A T U R A L H I S T O R Y of N M WAT, 26J 



butes, in a great meafure, to this diftemper. Such diet, espe- 

 cially in thofe who are not of a ftrong conftitution, muft gra- 

 dually corrupt the blood, and then the difeafe diffufes itfelf 

 through the body, till at laft it appears externally. This diftem- 

 per may be communicated to others, for it is infectious ; and as 

 it lies a long while in the blood before it breaks oiitj feveral 

 perfons marry, and think they are both free from it ; but at laft 

 one of the parties appears to be leprous. 



It is fomewhat furpriling, and mews the care of providence, 

 that children do not always inherit this diftemper from their pa- 

 rents. I have known three inftances, where women have been 

 infected with thefe.leprofies, and have had feveral children, moft 

 of which are now married, and have not yet difcovered any 

 fymptoms of it. For this reafon, the inhabitants, when they 

 choofe a wife, give themfelves no concern whether her parents 

 are leprous or hot. I have likewife known inftances where the 

 father has been leprous, and the children quite free from that 

 diftemper. It often happens, that when a married couple have 

 lived together fome time, and the parties find that one of them 

 is infected, they will ftill cohabit together, fo long as it does 

 not appear externally, till they are feparated by orders from the 

 government. However, the party that was healthy, remains un- 

 infected ; and yet fometimes a perfon may be infected by a very 

 flight contact of a leprous perfon. 



On the other hand, there are inftances of poor miferable 

 wretches who are quite free from the leprofy, but being defti- 

 tute, are therefore put into thefe hofpitals amongft the leprous 

 patients, where they eat, drink, and daily converfe with them, 

 and ftill remain uninfected all their lives." So far Mr. Debes. 



The ordinary fcurvy would prevail in this country a great deal scurvy. 

 more, if it was not for hard work, which is the beft prefervative 

 againft it, and keeps the juices in conftant circulation. Hence 

 thofe that ufe but little exercife, and have a good appetite, fel- 

 dom or never efcape this diftemper. Nature has ordained feveral 

 berries and roots in this country, which are excellent antifcorbu- 

 tics, efpecially cochlearia, or fcurvy-grafs. Some eat this herb raw, 

 others make a decoction of it with milk ; and in Nordland^ 

 o ' where 



