lent are fevers, diarrhoeas, inflammations, dropsy, catarrhs, ophthalmia, asthma, dysentery, rheumatism, scrofula, and venereal. These diseases, notwithstanding the absence of apparent causes, are frequent among the natives; but many of them are brought on by living in the grass-houses, which are by no means impervious to the weather, and are consequently often wet. Another frequent cause is the partial decomposition of the grasses with which they are thatched on the roof and sides. In passing into them I invariably experienced a smell of mustiness, and a mouldy appearance is frequently seen. about their mats and tapas. From the openness of the houses they of course are subject to all the atmospheric changes, which must naturally induce disease by the constant checking of perspiration, a cause that is rendered still more active by their sleeping on damp ground. Ophthalmia is much complained of, particularly about Honolulu, Lahaina, and some places on Kauai: this might be ascribed to the quantity of dust that is daily put in circulation by the trade-winds, were it not that the disease is equally prevalent where this cause does not exist. I have heard it suggested that the prevalence of the strong trade-winds, with the salt spray driven by them, may be another cause. Cutaneous diseases are usually caused by the want of cleanliness; for, although the natives are in the habit of bathing frequently, yet, from my observations of their customs and dwellings, I cannot but deem them a filthy people: the tapa and cotton clothing of both sexes is worn until it is fairly in rags, and has become so dirty as to be disgusting they seldom if ever think of a change of raiment. Their houses are shared with their domestic fowls, dogs, and pigs, and are rarely free from the dirt that so many denizens must produce. One sees that most filthy disease, the itch, not unfrequently affecting the larger portion of the inmates of a house, and I could not help wondering that so little improvement had manifested itself among them, in their habitations and mode of living. My friend, Dr. Judd, assured me, that hepatic diseases were extremely rare, and that this ocean seems to be peculiarly exempt from all biliary diseases. The ground of this belief, is the almost total absence of them on board our whaling fleet. The physicians of Honolalu and Lahaina, where these ships often stop in large numbers, assured me that they seldom heard of a case. These islands are indeed little subject to these diseases, or the typhus, bilious, and yellow fevers, which prevail so extensively on the continents. They are also free from the measles, small-pox, &c. The diseases of children are frequent, but may chiefly be accounted for by the want of cleanliness and attention from their parents: hence the great mortality among them, which has been before spoken of. They are also allowed to eat the most indigestible food, and from this and other causes are frequently seen covered with excoriations and ulcers, that are truly horrible. A somewhat similar disease to that which we have observed in the other Polynesian islands, exists here under the name of the poupou; but it is by no means so violent, nor did we see any cases of so disgusting a character as those heretofore described: it is very much confined to the young. In speaking of the native diseases, I cannot but think that many of them are brought about by the habit of eating their food so much fermented, until indeed at times it has become disagreeable to the smell in this state, however, it is always preferred. I do not remember having observed this to be the case in any other of the Polynesian islands, as respects their vegetable diet. Epidemics are not frequent, although a dreadful one prevailed in 1803 and 1804, which is said to have destroyed a large number of the inhabitants, and visited all the islands. The whooping-cough was introduced in some way, and spread itself throughout the group. The influenza prevails both during the winter and spring, but is only fatal to the old and weak. The native doctors, if such they may be called, frequently aggravate disease by their nostrums. Dr. Judd related to me many instances of their quackery, which not unfrequently ended in death. The native remedies, however, are of some value, if they had knowledge enough properly to apply them; but without this intelligence, they are at all times more or less dangerous: they consist of the candle-nut (Aleurites triloba), the bitter calabash (Cucurbita lagenaria), the seeds of the castor-oil nut, a species of Ipomoea, and many other powerful herbs, of which they make strong decoctions: these are often administered by enema, and their operation frequently brings on great agonies and death. To these are added incantations, which of themselves are quite enough to kill. But, worst of all, it often happens that those who are well are induced to take preventive remedies for future sickness, which are said in some cases to be more severe than the constitution of the patient can bear. Of surgery the Hawaiians know nothing whatever, nor have they much occasion for its practice, for few of them receive injuries sufficient to call for the application of that branch of the healing art. The physicians attached to the mission, of which there are several, do incalculable good in alleviating distresses and superintending their wants: all this is done gratuitously, and I think seems little esteemed, however strange it may seem, by the natives. I very much doubt the policy of giving their services and medicines free of charge, for the natives are abundantly able to pay, and I make no doubt would do so if they felt they could thus command the services of the physician whenever needed. This is a part of the organization of the American Mission that is highly commendable: in no other mission is it found. It not only alleviates the cares of the missionaries themselves, in their families, but adds greatly to their success, and power of doing good. One of the great difficulties in practising medicine among the natives, is their heedlessness and inability to restrain their appetites, both as respects the patients themselves, and their families and friends: they often disregard all injunctions as to diet, nor do they exercise any control whatever over the sick. The natives, however, are adepts in alleviating pains, as I myself can testify: the practice of the loomi-loomi seldom fails in assuaging headache and pains in the limbs; but this is not practised by those who are the disciples of Esculapius. Although the Hawaiian Islands have been much vaunted as a resort for invalids, I am not satisfied that it would be beneficial to visit them, unless the person afflicted would, on choosing the most suitable abode for his recovery, confine himself to the circumscribed limits. Few comforts could be looked for, unless the patient were to become an inmate of some one of the missionaries' or respectable residents' houses, where they will be sure to enjoy all the kind attentions and the care of another home. PENRHYN ISLAND FISH-HOOKS, ETC. CHAPTER IX. CONTENTS. -- PRESENT DEPARTURE FROM OAHU-SICKNESS OF THE CREW OF THE PORPOISE-SEARCH FOR |