420 A VOYAGE TO Book VI. 



members of fociety : and that my fnperiors thought 

 fo, appears from the ordinances relating to Ame- 

 rica. 



The Indians in general are robuft, and of a good 

 Gonilitution. And though the venereal diftemper is 

 fo common in this country, it is feldom known among 

 them : the principal caufe of which unqueftionably 

 lies in the quality of the juices of their body, not 

 being fufceptible of the venom of this diftemper. 

 Many however attribute it to a quality in the chicha, 

 their common drink. The difeafe which makes the 

 greateft havock among them is the fmall pox : which 

 is fo fatal that few efcape it. Accordingly it is looked 

 upon in this country as-a peftilence. This diftemper 

 is not continual as in other nations, feven or eight 

 years, or more, pafting without its being heard of; 

 but when it prevails, towns and villages are foon 

 thinned of their inhabitants. This defolation is owing 

 partly to the malignity of the difeafe, and partly to the 

 want of phyficians and nurfes. Accordingly, on . 

 being feized with this diftemjper, they immediately 

 fend for the prieft to confefs ; and die for want of 

 remedy and relief. The like happens in all other dif- 

 tempers ; and were they frequent would be equally 

 fatal, thefe poor creatures dying for want of proper 

 treatment and afiiftance; as is evident from the Creoles, 

 who are alfo attacked by the diftempers of the country. 

 Some of the latter indeed die as well as of the former ; 

 but many more recover, having attendance and a pro- 

 per diet : whereas the Indians are in want of every 

 thing. What their houfes and apparel are, has al- 

 ready been feen. Their bed is the fame in health and 

 ficknefs and all the change in their food is in the 

 manner of taking it, not in the fpecies itfelf: for, 

 however ill they may be, all they have is a fmall 

 draught of machca diflblved in chicha fo that, if any 

 one does get the better of a diftemper, it is more ow- 

 ing 



6 



