POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
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mittent and remittent. The body is reduced almost to a 
skeleton; and the disease terminates in death, or a large 
curvature of the spine, so as considerably to diminish the 
height of the individual, and cause a very unsightly pro¬ 
trusion of the spine between the shoulders, or a curvature 
inwards, causing the breast-bones to appear unusually pro¬ 
minent. Multitudes in every one of the Society Islands 
are to be seen deformed by this disease, which the natives 
call tuapuy literally, projecting; or as we should say, 
humped-back. 
After this curvature has occurred, the patient usually 
recovers, and, although greatly deformed, does not appear 
more predisposed to disease than others. Those indivi¬ 
duals are often among the most active, intelligent, and 
ingenious of the people. 
Connected with this disease, there are two remarkable 
circumstances. I am not prepared to say that it is here¬ 
ditary, but the children of such persons are more fre¬ 
quently the subjects of it than others. It is also singular 
that it should prevail principally among the lower classes 
of society, the farmers and the mechanics. I know of no 
principal chief, and I cannot recollect any one even of 
secondary rank, thus afflicted : yet their rank and station 
are hereditary. This single fact renders more striking than 
it otherwise would be, the difference in appearance be¬ 
tween the chiefs and people, and it may certainly warrant 
the inference that the meagre living of the latter exposes 
them to maladies, from which a more generous diet and 
comfortable mode of life exempt their superiors. 
Some say this singular complaint was unknown to 
their ancestors, and has only prevailed since they have 
been visited by foreign shipping. It does not prevail 
among the inhabitants of the surrounding islands; but 
If. 2 N 
