1850.] 



Sircar of Pytun, 



273 



disease. Deaths occur oftener in childhood from a variety of causes ; 

 bad management and small pox being the principal ones : it is much 

 to be regretted that the benefits of vaccination are not extended 

 throughout the districts, where small pox annually sweeps away its 

 thousands ; this year was one of remarkable mortality from this dis- 

 ease. In the rains, bowel complaints prevail, induced by the green 

 diet then abundantly procurable, as well as from insufficient clothing 

 at the close of the monsoon and commencement of the cold weather ; 

 fevers abound as usual throughout India, but not generally of a fatal 

 nature. Cutaneous disorders are common ; the worst description of 

 which are seen afflicting the most wretched in the loathsome forms 

 of leprosy, Elephantiasis being the variety more frequently met with ; 

 whilst that species confining itself to mere discoloration of the skin, 

 is less observed, than those attended with a swollen and ulcerous con- 

 dition of the extremities. The cause of this disgusting malady may be 

 attributed in some measure to the diet of the country . which consists 

 principally of jowarree and bajree, grains deficient in that amount of 

 gluten which constitutes the nourishing qualities of other cerealea; a 

 cause like this, associated with poverty and destitution, has been con- 

 sidered sufficient in other countries,'* whose peasantry are in similar 

 circumstances, to have developed like epidemic affections of the skin. 



Slavery exists, but to no great extent; confining itself 

 to a few domestic servants, and to public women. In 

 the first instance, a reciprocal feeling to the advantage of both ex- 

 ists, the one zealously serving the other, in return for being cherish- 

 ed and protected, making the odious custom repulsive in nothing but 

 its name ; in the other instance, the case is far different, and the in- 

 human practice is viewed in all its deformity, girls being sold to sla- 

 very, for the abhorrent purposes of lust and avarice, and lead a wretch- 

 ed life with few exceptions. The source of this moral degradation, lies 

 in those calamitous accidents of dearth, that so often distress the coun- 

 try, when the starving wretches sell their offspring to those able to 

 nourish and support them ; when such a sad alternative becomes ine- 

 vitable, the parties proceed to the Cutwal's office, and there declare 

 their determination ; a deed of purchase is then made out and duly 

 registered, the purchaser paying duty to Government on the sale, as 

 for any other marketable produce. In the year 1847 considerable 

 want was felt amongst the poorer classes, and the sale of eight slaves 



* Italy, 



