28 
MADAGASCAR 
even in these cases the individuals attacked had already 
suffered from it before coming to the country. 
Typhus often shews itself as an epidemic among the 
natives in the Central Province. 
Observations as to other tropical diseases have been 
made at Beri-Beri on Nossi-Be. The Natives often have 
ulcerated wounds on the lower limbs (tdcere malgache) 
in consequence of neglect, but these heal quickly; this 
disease seldom affects Europeans. Leprosy is especially 
frequent among the Hova, far more than among the 
Sakalava. 
Tuberculosis seems to be widely spread and to take 
a rapid course. A European who already has the seeds 
of the disease, should avoid the climate of Madagascar, 
which, as experience shows, accelerates its development 
Venereal diseases are very largely spread in Madag¬ 
ascar ; syphilis especially has gained an entrance among 
the Hova, though in a mild form; half-castes are strongly 
affected by it, while the Sakalava have for the most 
part remained free from this disease. The indiscriminate 
intercourse of the sexes, combined with carelessness 
during the period of sickening, has caused this disease to 
take a strong hold upon the people and has had in 
many ways a prejudicial influence on the fecundity of 
the race. 
