TO THE COURT OF AYA. 
439 
adultery is the particular offence for which le¬ 
prosy is the supposed punishment. 
This subject leads me to say a few words re¬ 
garding the barbarous opinions and customs ob¬ 
taining amongst the Burmans in regard to some 
other bodily infirmities or defects. Among the 
lepers, we found in the village a man afflicted 
with epilepsy. He told us he had been driven 
from his native village on account of this ma¬ 
lady—that his friends would not own him, and 
that he was consequently obliged to take up his 
residence among the lepers. A strong prejudice 
appears to run not only against all natural de¬ 
formities, (and I imagine this is one cause why 
so few are to be seen amongst the Burmans,) but 
against those labouring under incurable diseases, 
and even against such as have been accidentally 
mutilated. There is an indescribable mixture 
of caprice, folly, and inhumanity, in the diffe¬ 
rent modes in which this is evinced. One who 
has lost the sight of both eyes, is forbidden to 
enter the Palace enclosure; but if he has lost the 
sight of one only, he may enter. The dumb are 
also interdicted from this privilege, and the loss 
of an ear or nose is a sufficient disqualification 
for the same honour. The loss of any limb, 
even in action, and when defending the rights 
