. gl6 ^ STATISTICAL SKETCH 



the example of these hills fully demonstrates, that it cannot be referred ex- 

 clusively to any one of the commonly assigned causes. The Goitre is here 

 found among the residents of most elevated villages, as well as among those 

 of the low vallies, in spots where snow is never seen, as well as in those 

 near which it for ever lies ; in districts where no minerals are known to 

 exist, as well as in those abounding with mines ; among people who drink 

 none but river water, as well as among those who use only springs ; among 

 the rich equally with the poor ; and lastly, it attacks individuals recently 

 from the plains, as well as the natives of the hills. A conjecture may 

 be hazarded, that the Goitre is in part produced by the effects of the keen 

 mountain air acting on tlie exposed throat ; a covering to that part seems at 

 any rate to be the most effectual remedy as well as preventative ; in cases of 

 . incipient Goitre, the natives have immediate recourse to the use of a neck- 

 cloth, formed of otter skin, or some other warm substance, which is worn till 

 the swelling has wholly subsided ; and although instances have occurred here 

 of European females and children being attacked by Goitre, no case of any 

 European male being so afflicted has yet taken place. Various nostrums and 

 remedies are prescribed by the native practitioners : among the latter, a sim- 

 ple sold in the bazar, under the name of " Gellur Patta," is in most request. 

 Outward applications, cauterizing, and issues, are also resorted to, but all, no- 

 toriously, without the slightest prospect of success in any but incipient cases. 

 In closing this subject it may be observed, that the practice of the *• Balds,'* 

 or Brahmin physicians, among the upper classes, is on a par with that in the 

 plains, whither such practitioners are originally sent to study medicine. 

 Musk appears to form an ingredient in almost every remedy administered by 

 them, and, indeed, the inhabitants of the hills universally entertain thegreate st 

 confidence in tlie medicinal virtues of that drug. 



The population of the interior, as has been already stated, is comprised 

 almost solely of the agricultural classes. From the nature of the country, the 



