No. 32. 1886.] MEDICAL HISTORY OF CEYLON. 



335 



but medical aid could be given only partially, as the preju- 

 dices of the people were then found to be strong against the 

 use of European drugs. With time and better agents for 

 dispensing remedies, these prejudices are being gradually 

 overcome. There are fortunately at the same time influences 

 at works to enlighten and elevate the population. The 

 country is being gradually opened up by roads and railways, 

 and little towns are springing up where formerly there was 

 jungle. Irrigation works are being gradually restored, and 

 will in time reclaim wild and uncultivated wastes, formerly 

 inhabited, but which may now be said to be "pathless 

 forests." We may yet hope that ere long the measures 

 adopted to advance the material interests of the country will 

 help " to scatter plenty over a smiling land." Our mission- 

 ary societies are extending their operations into the far 

 interior, so that moral improvement, as well as material 

 advancement, may be anticipated. But the means of abating 

 deadly disease are still the feeble simples of the Vedarala, and 

 the charms and incantations of the devil-priest. Shall we 

 not aid the Christian missionary in his work, if, like the 

 " Great Exemplar," we be not at the same time missionary 

 and physician ? The good work has been commenced in the 

 Medical College. Let us hope that in time the licentiates of 

 this institution will multiply and be found in all parts of the 

 Island, possessed by knowledge which will enable them to 

 combat disease in its varied forms ; safe advisers, who will 

 teach the people to avoid the causes of disease, and thus afford 

 to them the blessing of preventive as well as curative 

 medicine. 



