SUMATRA. 155 
offspring, but though hereditary, it is not contagious. I have feme- 
times been induced to think it nothing more than a confirmed ftage of 
the fetpigo or ringworm, or it may be the fame with what is clfewhere 
termed the foingksm I have known a Neas man who lias effected a tern- 
pcwary removal of this fcurfj by the frequent application of fuch 
herbs as are ufed to cure the ringworm, and fonietimes by rubbing 
gunpowder and ftrong acids to his Ik in ; but it always returned after 
fome time. The other IpecieSj with which the country people are in 
fome inftances affected, is doubtlefs the ekphan^yjis^ from the dcfcriptioa 
given of its dreadful fymptoms ; the fkin coming off in flakes, and the 
fleih falling from the bones, as in the lues venerea. This diforder being 
efleemed highly infectious, the unhappy wretch who labors under it, is 
driven from the village he belonged to, into the woods, where victuals 
are left for him> from time to time, by his relations* A praDg and a knife 
lire likewife delivered to him, that he may build himfelf a hut, which is 
generally ered:ed near to fome river, continual bathing being fuppofed 
to have fome eficdt in removing the diforder, or alleviating the mifery of 
the patient. Few inilances of recovery have been known. There is a 
defeaie called the natt^a which bears fome affinity to this, attacking the 
feet chiefly, the flelh of wliich it eats away* As none but the lowcft clafs 
of people feem to fuffer from this complaint, 1 imagine it proceeds in a 
great degree from want of cleanlinefs* 
The fmall pox fometimes vifits the ifland and makes terrible ravages. 
It is regarded as a plague, and drives from the country thoufands whom 
the infedlion fpares. Their method of flopping its progrefs ; for they 
do not attempt a cure ; is by converting into an hofpitaL or rcceptaclfe 
for the refi, that village where Ire the greateft mtmber of fick, whither 
they fend all who arc attacked by the diforder, from the country round. 
The moft effectual methods are purfued to prevent any perfon's cfcape 
from this Tillage, which is burnt to the ground as foon as the infe<ftion 
has fpent itfelf, or devoured all the victims thus offered to it. Inocula- 
tion feems to be an idea not thought of, and as it could not be univerfal, 
it might be a dangerous experiment for Europeans to introduce it par- 
R r tially, 
