HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
227 
Inoculation in case of small-pox, with a view to abate the 
virulence of the disease, was introduced by some of the 
early foreign residents in the island, but under circum¬ 
stances so disadvantageous as to excite strong prejudices 
against its continuance, or the introduction of the more 
effectual antidote to its fearful ravages, vaccination, which 
was subsequently attempted. 
We may gather some idea of their heartless cruelty, 
and of the dreadful apprehensions with which the Malagasy 
regarded the approach of this terrific scourge, from the fact 
that it was their practice formerly, when the small-pox 
made its appearance in the capital, or in any of the towns 
or villages in the provinces, to drive the unhappy man first 
afflicted therewith, to a distance from their dwellings, and 
either stone him to death, or bury him alive in a grave 
previously dug for the purpose, with a view to prevent the 
spread of the contagion. In the reign of Radama, this 
barbarous practice was discontinued, and in its place, as a 
measure of safety, all who were affected with this frightful 
malady were removed to a distance from the villages, where 
they were lodged in temporary habitations, and furnished 
with food until perfectly recovered, when they were per¬ 
mitted to return to their former dwellings. The Mission¬ 
aries have great reason to believe, that during the periods 
in which the small-pox has prevailed, no other cause, 
excepting those wars in which the adult population was 
exterminated, has destroyed so many lives; and ex¬ 
tensive tracts of the country, now almost without inha¬ 
bitants, are said to have been depopulated by its fearful 
ravages. 
Wounds from a spear or bullet, even where the latter 
may be lodged in the body, they attempt to heal by washing 
the wound sometimes with a decoction of herbs, but chiefly 
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