APPENDIX II. ABSTRACTS of PAPERS relating to the CAUSES of MORTALITY among ABORIGINAL RACES, received from the COLONIAL OFFICE.

SIERRA LEONE.

See Tables L. and M., pp.

39

and 40.

Under the head of “All other Diseases” is included one “lethargus,” a disease which, as far as I am aware, is altogether confined to the native population, “more particularly to the Kossohs and Congos tribes.” It is not restricted to any particular period of life, as old and young are equally liable to it. It is purely a disease of the brain and nervous system, generally fatal, except when seen in the very early stages. As it is generally met with, the patient sleeps continually, even when standing up, and becomes perfectly incapable of any exertion; the sufferer will even fall asleep while being fed. I have seen them last in this state for months, and gradually die of inanition from want of a sufficiency of food to support life. I have tried all kinds of treatment, but cannot recommend any more likely to be beneficial than a prolonged slight salivation, if you can meet the case in the inflammatory stage or that previous to the sleeping state just alluded to.

This and leprosy are the only diseases met with here from which the European is exempt.

ROBT. BRADSHAW, L.K. & Q.C.P.I. Colonial Surgeon.

Freetown, Sierra Leone.

NATAL.

Special Remarks.―Of seven of the eight cases of syphilis (native), Hottentots were the subjects. Here, as elsewhere, they copy European vices very readily. The Kafirs adhere to their own vices, but are more slow in copying European manners and habits, good or evil.

I have met with one decided case of scrofula among the Zulus, and one only.

The ages of infants are reckoned by moons, but adult Kafirs (as the rule) do not know how old they are; the ages given are therefore only surmised, and cannot be depended on.

The tendency of disease among the Kafirs is to collapse and paralysis. No year goes round without deaths from cold and wet, which they bear less well than European settlers. They are apt to sink under any serious form of disease.

Flesh wounds heal well, causing less constitutional disturbance than among Europeans, but fractured bones do not so soon re-unite. I have found lime water, a pint or more given daily, promote their union. Lime is scarce here, and the shells of eggs are correspondingly thin.

Lung disease is more frequent among natives than white settlers, unless the latter bring the seeds of disease with them; but I doubt whether it is true phthisis. I suspect that the lungs of both natives and settlers are more liable to become hepatized or otherwise disorganized than tuberculated. In examining the lungs of cattle who have died of lung sickness, I have found large portions of lung degenerated into an impervious muscle-like substance resembling beef, while in other portions the disease has shown itself to be of so anemic a character as to have proceeded without much pause to suppuration. I believe that in this climate, subjects of phthisis, who had only small tubercles in their lungs, would find their further development arrested; indeed this has been, in many cases, proved to have occurred.

The lung disease, called lung sickness, in cattle, does not, with regard to the organ attacked, affect human beings, but the tendency of the present race of mankind is to anemic rather than acutely inflammatory diseases. The most destructive modern diseases, influenza, cholera, and diphtheria, are of an anemic character; other diseases are now, more than formerly, inclined to assume this character. It is not that medicine and doctors, but that human constitutions, vary. The rule laid down by Pinel that bleeding confirms mania is good now; but 50 or 70 years ago, as, perhaps, 50 or 70 years hence, more exceptional cases did and may again occur than are at present met with. {55}

Vide Tables P. and Q., pp. 44 and 45.

The mortality from fever will be seen to have been great; but of the seven deaths recorded, six came into the hospital in a dying state. One, admitted November 25th, died five hours after admission; another, admitted at noon, December 11th, died at half-past four a.m. next morning; another, admitted on the 5th, died on the 6th; another, admitted on September 19th, died on the 20th; other two rallied by the administration of wine, sago, &c., but died from two to five days after admission, again sinking. They received shelter and attention, and had what chance there was of recovery; and some others, beyond all reasonable expectation, recovered. The number of Kafir and druggist-doctored patients thrown upon my hands in a moribund state is great. Of the cases of fever that I attended throughout, most did well. The hospital has been occupied somewhat more than three years and a half, but I have held office as district surgeon in the service of Government eight years and a half, and I speak of my experience during the whole term of such service.

In giving names to complaints, I have not set down diarrhœa or even tænia, of which many instances have occurred, but these instances have been incidental or symptomatic. Tænia has been discovered and treated in cases of patients who had wounds, &c., and this frequently. There is no complaint so generally prevalent among both natives and settlers. The tapeworm of South Africa is about two-fifths in width† narrower than that of Europe. The most effective treatment has been 1 ¹⁄₂ oz. sp. terebinth, early in the morning, and one drop of croton oil, or a dose of other aperient medicine, four or five hours after, nisi prius soluta sit alvus. A less dose than 1 ¹⁄₂ oz. more disturbs the system than this quantity, and fails to act. I procured some ethereal extract of male fern in one case, of which I gave one scruple early in the morning, and a black draught some hours after. It caused no nausea or other apparent constitutional disturbance, and a piece of tapeworm was expelled, still alive, which measured 22 feet long. Turpentine generally expels them dead.

† The English assumed as 1 in width, the South African 0·6.

The fracture that ended fatally was a compound fracture of the left thigh, and compound comminuted fracture of the tibia and fibula of the right leg, from a waggon accident. He sunk at the end of two days, never rallying from the shock to his system, and refusing to submit to the not very hopeful operation of amputation of the more seriously injured limb. I have had two cases of injury among the aborigines in which amputation was necessary, one a little above the ancle, the other four inches above the knee. In the latter case the leg had been torn off by the machinery of a flour mill, the knee stripped of its integuments, and the muscles above the knee stretched and contused, so that I felt myself obliged to operate high up, lest a second amputation should become requisite. The case occurred a few months ago. Both cases did well. I have represented my wish in both cases that an artificial leg and foot should be sent for to England, as it would be a convenience to the parties, and also have a good sanitary and social effect upon the natives. The cost of the cork or other artificial two legs, black imitation toes inclusive, would not, I should think, exceed 30l. Their aversion to operations necessary to save life would thus be in some measure overcome or lessened.

The natives who have become Christians evince some of the uncomfortableness and maladroitness that are incidental to a state of transition, but, perhaps, less than might have been expected. The premises I go upon are, perhaps, scanty and insufficient, but I am inclined to think that among Christian Kafirs more children die in infancy than among the unchristianized natives. This is not to be depended upon, nor can I, generally speaking, say much that is definite upon the subject of physical or other differences between Christian and other natives.

The natives hitherto, as the rule, have not shown the appetence for alcohol which the North American Indians so early, and so fatally for themselves, acquired. There are cases of elephantiasis among them; they are subject to skin diseases. These and other trifling diseases or cases of injury seldom appear at the hospital, or only as accompaniments of injury or other disease.

Prior to the completion and occupation of Grey’s hospital, a row of cottages was rented as a hospital; prior to this the gaol and hospital were under one roof.

SAMUEL GOWER, M.R.C.S. Engl., &c. {56}

Change of Diet and irregular Habits.―There is one very striking difference between the semi-civilized native and the one fresh from his original habits and mode of life. The one is more subject to inflammatory diseases than the other, from which the former does not so readily recover as the latter. Wounds and injuries of a very serious character readily admit of reparation; for instance, a native falls on a stake, which penetrated (by the side of the “sphincter ani”) the bladder; he walked 10 miles, and arrived at hospital with a pendulous coagulum at the mouth of the urethra. The catheter was used; urine and blood escaped, and continued to flow for a day or two; in a week he returned home quite well.

Civilization increases the proneness to Disease and the facility to succumb to its Power.―Skin diseases are more prevalent among the natives than the settlers. Phthisis carries off a great number; exposure to extremes is the cause. The subject requires to be treated at full length.

ED. W. HOLLAND, M.R.C.S.

MELBOURNE. VICTORIA.

Vide Return, p.

60

.

Mr. Thomas, who has for 20 years been the guardian of the tribes contiguous to Melbourne, furnishes a statement, showing during that period 210 deaths as compared with 28 births, and, as he adds in a note, that of the children born most died before the first month was over, it cannot be expected that these tribes, now reduced to only 35 individuals in all, will be long in existence.

Making every allowance, indeed, for the effects of European vices, and especially of intemperance, by which quarrels are fomented, and exposure to cold and damp and disease produced, there is, it must be confessed, something mysterious in that deterioration of the savage which succeeds the introduction of civilization,—and which can hardly be more forcibly described than in the language of the old man quoted by Mr. Goodwin,―“before white fellow came, black fellow could run like emu, but now supposing big one run, then big one tired, and plenty heart jump about.”

Physical prostration, in fact, seems to follow the attempt to imitate the customs of civilized society; and, as I had abundant opportunity of observing in British Guiana among the Indians, the wearing of clothes and adoption of a more settled mode of life detracts from skill in hunting or fishing without imparting sufficient knowledge of or taste for agricultural pursuits to afford a livelihood in exchange.

HENRY BARKLY.

1. Although the aborigines of this colony are liable to the usual diseases of Europeans, I invariably found years back that they seldom had the common diseases, as rheumatism, &c., &c., to the extent Europeans have. Yet I may state, that eight-tenths of the mortality amongst the aborigines of Victoria arises through intemperance, bringing on pulmonary disorders, pleurisy, pneumonia, disorders of the chest, consumption, &c., which carries them off so speedily that the ablest medical treatment, when available, seldom saves them. I may safely state that when their respiratory organs are once affected recovery becomes hopeless. I have witnessed this so invariably within the last 10 years, as to look forward for death as soon as they are afflicted in the chest.

2. The aborigines, however, were not so affected in their respiratory organs years back as at present; they have only been carried off so precipitately since they have become slaves to intoxicating liquors. I have known blacks, years back, to labour under diseases of the lungs for nine or more months, but now seldom so many weeks, and often not so many days.

3. There is a peculiarity even in their pulmonary disorders to the European; there is not that straining distressing coughing which Europeans labour under; the phlegm comes free without much exertion and pain to the invalid, but accompanied with blood.

4. Wounds of whatever kind which do not affect a vital part are more readily cured than in white people. I have seen most desperate wounds inflicted by their weapons, that would have kept Europeans for months invalids, healed in an incredibly short time, and to the astonishment of medical men. Wounds, whether by accident or otherwise, are immediately attended to by their doctors; if in the fleshy part of the body, they suck the blood from the wound, and continue sucking it till blood ceases to be extracted. If little blood comes from {57} the wound they know all is not right, and will put the patient to pain by probing the wound with their lancet (a sharp bone), or place the body or limb in that position as to compress the opposite part to force blood. They know well the consequences of stagnant blood or matter, especially in the upper parts of the body. When the wound is thoroughly cleansed they leave the rest to nature, clap a lump of pidgerong (a kind of wax oozing from trees) on the wound; should there follow a gathering, they open the wound afresh, and see all right, and again cover it over with the pidgerong or gum.

5. Rheumatism.―Their general remedy is friction. If very severe about legs or thighs, the doctor gets a good mound prepared of ashes, excavating the ground 18 inches, made solely from bark, which never has any grit, but mere ash. If lumbago, the patient is laid on his stomach, the doctor rubs most unmercifully the hot ashes on the part affected, as a butcher would in salting meat; if in thighs or legs, the patient’s feet are put into the mound of heated ashes, about half way up his legs, where he sits whilst the doctor is rubbing the hot ashes on the parts affected. During this process the doctor is incantating, blowing occasionally a portion of dust into the air with a hissing noise. When sufficiently operated upon, the invalid is wrapped up in his blanket.

6. Boils.―The blacks treat boils and swellings thus:—When hard, they lotion the part well with decoction of wattle bark; when obstinate, they boil wild marshmallow, and poultice; if the tumour softens and does not break, they apply their sharp bone lancet.

7. Eruptions on the Skin.―The aborigines are deeply afflicted with a disorder called by them bubberum, white men call it itch, but it is in no way like it; it appears as a raised dark scab, and spreads, joining each other, till it in severe cases covers almost all the lower extremities. It seldom affects the head or upper parts, but I have known it almost cover the thighs and downwards, so as to cause them much difficulty in moving about. Their native cure for this distemper is to grease the parts affected every night and morning with wheerup (a red ochre) mixed with a decoction of wattle bark. I knew one instance of this disease becoming most distressing to a white man in a respectable position who was continually cohabiting with black lubras.

8. On Burns.―Through their imprudence and carelessness they often get severe burns, which they cure by dabbing the parts over with melted fat, afterwards dash the parts affected over with a pulp made of oppossum fur and dust of the wheerup.

9. On Dysentery.―The aborigines of Australia are very subject to dysentery, but not to the fatal extent as Europeans; their remedy of this disorder is drinking plentifully a decoction of wattle bark and eating gum through the day, and pills night and morning made by themselves of wattle bark and gum.

10. Pains in the Head, Bilious, &c.―If of long standing, the patient is compelled to lie on the back; the native doctor puts his foot on the patient’s head above his neck as long as the patient can bear it, till water literally gushes from the patient’s eyes. However rough this treatment, I have known this operation to give relief, and the patient cured.

11. Disorders of the Lungs, Spitting of Blood, &c.―The blacks study much the colour of the spittle in those affected in the lungs, and know well its stages. When the patient begins to spit blood, there is much attention paid to him; should this increase, which generally is the case, the native doctors have a consultation. When once the black doctors hold a consultation, they will not let the patient take any more medicine from the whites. The invalid is laid down on his back, is held firm by three or more blacks, whilst the native doctor keeps continually pressing with his feet, even to jump, on the patient’s belly. I need scarcely state that this cruel practice brings on premature death.

12. Venereal Disease.―Though this disease in the first instance must have been contracted from the whites, the native doctors have prescribed a cure, which, though simple, I have found efficacious. They boil the wattle bark till it becomes very strong; they use it as a lotion to the parts affected. I can state here from my own personal knowledge of three Golburn blacks having this disease so deeply rooted in them, that the then colonial surgeon, Dr. Cousin, on examining them said life would not be saved unless they entered into the hospital, and an operation performed, which they would not consent to. After 18 months these three blacks returned to Melbourne among the tribes (two {58} were young, the other middle aged,) perfectly cured, and the blacks assured me they had used only the wattle bark lotion. Dr. Wilmot, our late coroner, also saw these three blacks whilst in this state and after their soundness, and in his report upon the aborigines stated “however violent this disease may appear among aborigines, that it could not enter into their system as it did in European constitutions.”

13. In the aboriginal primitive state in times of sickness, as influenza or other diseases prevalent, they invariably carried fire about with them wherever they went; this was of bark only; a thick bark, which they provided for the day’s journey.

14. Fevers.―The aboriginal doctors’ treatment in fevers is strictly the cold water system; no matter what kind of fever it may be, cold water is the remedy, accompanied with prohibition of animal food. The doctors have a quantity of water by them, fill their mouths full, spurt it from the mouth over the whole of the patient’s body, back and front, and for a considerable time to the navel, then with their hands throw it over the face and breast; then lay the patient on the back, breathe and blow at the navel, incantating continually while operating. If the patient be young, the doctor will carry him, and plunge him or her into the creek or river. The adult patients will voluntarily, by the assistance of their friends, plunge themselves in three or four times a day. The blacks obstinately persist in this mode of treatment, although they find generally death is the result. I was not a little surprised to find many years back that this also was the mode of treatment among the natives of the South Sea Islands. As soon as fever attacked them, they crept to the banks of the Yarra, and plunged themselves in three or more times a day, as the aboriginals of Australia. I was called to witness their habits when a party of them were enticed over by the late Mr. Boyd; they were located at Mr. Fennel’s (Mr. Boyd’s agent) by the banks of the Yarra.

15. I attach to this report on the diseases of the aborigines the opinions of 29 gentlemen, situated in various parts of the colony, who one and all bear testimony to the awful mortality amongst them. Names. Diseases. Mr. Orr Intemperance and venereal. " Lane Scorbutic. " Templeton Intemperance and venereal. " Sherard Intemperance and exposure. " Shuter Consumption and decline. " Wilson Intemperance and exposure. " Feskin Bronchitis, pericarditis, psoriasis, and intemperance. " McLeod Intemperance and exposure. " Ormond Consumption, venereal, and intemperance. " Cook Syphilis. " Aitkin Liver complaints; intemperance; rheumatism. " Skene Syphilis, consumption, and rheumatism. " Beveridge Pulmonary consumption and venereal. " Allen Influenza. " Craig Influenza, consumption, and intemperance. " Gilles Intemperance. " Strutt Intemperance and violence. " J. M. Allan Influenza; inflammation of lungs; venereal. " Godfrey Drunkenness; consumption; venereal. " Gottreux Bronchitis; affection of the chest. " Currie Pulmonary complaints; intemperance. " Lydiard Syphilis; intemperance; rheumatism. " Stewart Consumption; intemperance. " Mitchell Pulmonary consumption; venereal. " Coake Consumption and old age. " Huou Influenza; intemperance. " Wills (Omeo) Intemperance; gun-shot wounds; venereal. " Feath­er­ston­haugh. Pulmonary; venereal. " Lewes Atrophy; influenza.

16. A return from a public hospital, I deem, would be a fair criterion for the Central Board, embracing the two points, mortality and diseases. RETURN of ABORIGINAL NATIVES admitted into the Melbourne Hospital from 1st January to 8th November to date. DATE. NAME. TRIBE. DISEASE. REMARKS. April 17 Tommy Buckley Gipps’ Ld. Burnt back Discharged, July 20 July 4 Maria Yarra Pneumonia Discharged, July 24 September 14 James Shaw Hopkins’ R. Pleurisy; Phthisis. Died, October 21 September 18 Sandy Sydney Pneumonia and Phthisis. Died, September 25 October 30 Tommy Buckley Gipps’ Ld. Pneumonia and Phthisis. Died, November 2 October 30 Tommy Nannering Yarra Pneumonia and Phthisis. Died, November 2 4 deaths, and 2 discharged. RETURN showing the Number of Aboriginal Natives who have died in the Yarra and Western Port Districts from the 1st April 1839 to the 31st December 1859, distinguishing Sexes, Tribes, &c. —— Yarra Tribe. Western Port Tribe. Other Tribes journeying. TOTAL. Grand Total. REMARKS. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 1 April 1839 to 1 Mar. 1840 4 1 4 3 2 1 10 5 15 1 murdered. 1 Mar. 1840 to 1 Mar. 1841 1 — 1 1 4 — 6 1 7 2 murdered; 1 shot himself; 2 shot by authorities; 1 died in jail. 1 Mar. 1841 to 1 Mar. 1842 6 3 1 2 5 2 12 7 19 2 murdered; 2 died of grief; 1, after leg amputated; 2 executed. 1 Mar. 1842 to 1 Mar. 1843 4 2 1 1 2 — 7 3 10 1 executed. 1 Mar. 1843 to 1 Mar. 1844 2 5 3 3 2 2 7 10 17 1 died by violence. 1 Mar. 1844 to 1 Mar. 1845 1 1 1 4 3 3 5 8 13 1 murdered; 1 died of wounds. 1 Mar. 1845 to 1 June 1846 5 3 — 1 3 1 8 5 13 1 June 1846 to 1 June 1847 1 4 2 — 5 — 8 4 12 2 executed. 1 June 1847 to 1 June 1848 — 4 7 3 2 1 9 8 17 1 June 1848 to 1 June 1849 2 2 3 1 3 2 8 5 13 1 murdered. 1 June 1849 to 31 Dec. 1849 4 7 2 — 4 5 10 12 22 1 Jan. 1850 to 31 Dec. 1850 1 — 1 1 — 1 2 2 4 2 murdered by Gipps’ Land blacks. 1 Jan. 1851 to 31 Dec. 1851 1 — — — — 1 1 1 2 1 speared in drunken fray. 1 Jan. 1852 to 31 Dec. 1852 2 — 3 1 5 1 10 2 12 5 murdered; 1, through intemperance. 1 Jan. 1853 to 31 Dec. 1853 — — — — 1 1 1 1 2 1 Jan. 1854 to 31 Dec. 1854 1 — — 1 2 — 3 1 4 1 murdered in drunken row; 1, intemperance. 1 Jan. 1855 to 31 Dec. 1855 — — 3 1 2 — 5 1 6 1 poisoned while drunk; 1, intemperance. 1 Jan. 1856 to 31 Dec. 1856 — — 2 1 3 2 6 2 8 2, through intemperance; 1, supposed poisoned. 1 Jan. 1857 to 31 Dec. 1857 1 — 2 1 1 — 4 1 5 1 Murray R. black, through intemperance. 1 Jan. 1858 to 31 Dec. 1858 1 — 1 1 — — 2 1 3 1 Jan. 1859 to 31 Dec. 1859 1 1 1 — 3 — 5 1 6 2 suddenly intoxicated; 1, Collingwood stockade. 129 81 210 RETURN showing the Number of Aboriginal Natives born in the Yarra and Western Port Districts from the 1st April 1839 to the 31st December 1859. —— Yarra Tribe. Western Port Tribe. Other Tribes journeying. TOTAL. Grand Total. REMARKS. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 1 Apr. 1839 to 1 Mar. 1840 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 3 3 It will be apparent from this Return, taken carefully from my journal, that there has been no comparison of births in proportion to deaths. Of these children born, it is lamentable that most died before the first month, or removing from the encampment for a week or two and return childless. I have in one line included the last nine years, as there have been no births from any other tribe in the Yarra and Western Port Districts. 1 Mar. 1840 to 1 Mar. 1841 — — — — 1 — 1 — 1 1 Mar. 1841 to 1 Mar. 1842 — — — — 1 — 1 — 1 1 Mar. 1842 to 1 Mar. 1843 1 1 — — — — 1 1 2 1 Mar. 1843 to 1 Mar. 1844 — — — — — — — — — 1 Mar. 1844 to 1 Mar. 1845 1 — — — — — 1 — 1 1 Mar. 1845 to 1 June 1846 2 2 — — — — 2 2 4 1 June 1846 to 1 June 1847 — 1 — — — — — 1 1 1 June 1847 to 1 June 1848 — — — — — — — — — 1 June 1848 to 1 June 1849 1 1 — — — 1 1 2 3 1 June 1849 to 31 Dec. 1849 1 — — — — 3 1 3 4 1 June 1850 to 31 Dec. 1859, the last 10 years 2 3 1 2 — — 3 5 8 11 17 28

WM. THOMAS, Guardian of Aborigines.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Having travelled much in Australia, America, and the West Indies, and having also resided on the Coast of Africa, where I penetrated a considerable distance into the interior, traversing the countries between the Gambia and the Senegal, and ascending the former river 600 miles, I was consequently frequently brought into contact with numerous aboriginal tribes of very different characters and descent, and under varying physical and external circumstances.

I have, however, never seen natives whose general habits and physical conformation impressed me so completely with the idea of a perishable and doomed race as the aborigines of the southern portion of this continent.

I may add that as I almost always find it necessary to release native prisoners before the expiration of their sentences, because death is apt to ensue from any prolonged confinement, I cannot but think that even the partial confinement in schools injuriously affects the native constitution, so nearly do they approximate to the lower animal creation.

RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL, Governor.

Adelaide, Nov. 23, 1860.

The aboriginies of this colony (South Australia) have not a very wide range of disease from which they suffer.

I have never seen a case of small-pox, scarlet fever, measles, or hooping cough, and I was officially connected with them for 18 years.

Fever occurs, but not frequently, as they have no confined badly ventilated dwellings.

Diarrhœa and dysentery make their appearance in the hot weather, and from five to ten per cent. of the cases prove fatal; these attacks occur most frequently during dentition, as with the Europeans.

The brain and nervous system are seldom attacked primarily. In their native state they indulge in no stimulants, and are not guilty of overtaxing their mental powers.

Consumption is common amongst them; and in every death that I have seen in the school children, there have been tubercular deposits in the lungs. The same occurs in the adults who have been six months and upwards confined in gaol; in fact, they cannot survive confinement in a prison beyond two years. Confine them two years and they will waste and die in a few months after liberation.

The most fatal disease that has come under my notice is the venereal, contracted by contact with the Europeans. Males and females suffer alike from it, and die generally of secondary effects.

As a race the aborigines are dying off and disappearing before a more highly civilized people, and must eventually disappear altogether. The venereal disease on the one hand, and the fact that the women are apt to become prostitutes, and in consequence cease to bear children, on the other, are reducing them at a very rapid rate.

M. MOORHOUSE, Late Protector of Aborigines.

It is universally admitted that they are fast decreasing in number, and the cause of this decrease is attributed by most witnesses to their partial assumption of semi-civilized habits; where formerly they clothed themselves with the skins of animals taken in the chase, contact with Europeans has so changed their habits that they now, in a great measure, depend upon the scanty dole of blankets issued by the Government, which supplies, it appears from evidence, have been most irregular. Great suffering has been occasioned, especially among the aged and infirm natives, by the insufficient and ill-timed supplies, both of blankets and provisions. Disease appears to be induced by this partial and irregular clothing; pulmonary complaints prevailed to a fearful extent during last winter, aggravated by, if not entirely attributable to, this cause.

This decrease in their numbers is attributable to many causes:―

1st. From infanticide, to a limited extent.

2nd. From certain rites performed upon young men of some tribes, impairing their physical powers.

3rd. From the introduction among them by Europeans of a more aggravated form of syphilis than was known to exist previous to our occupation of the country. {63}

4th. From the introduction and use of intoxicating liquors, a habit of using which to excess is prevalent among the natives, who, despite of existing laws to the contrary, are frequently aided by Europeans in obtaining supplies.

5th. From the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes. This is proved by evidence to be carried to such an extent, not only between themselves, but also with Europeans, as, in a great measure, of itself to account for the infecundity of the race.

6th. From the disproportion of sexes.

GEO. HALL, Chairman.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

The question raised by Miss Nightingale, “Can we civilize the aborigines without killing them?” naturally arises from the fact that wherever Europeans have taken possession of the country of savage races, the latter have gradually disappeared before the face of the “white man.”

This state of things, I believe, may be traced to the three following causes:―

1st. The acquirement by the aborigines of the love for intoxicating liquors.

2nd. The immorality of the women with the “white man,” preventing their bearing children.

3rd. The introduction of diseases more fatal to them than to the Europeans, arising from their exposed lives, and general objection to submit themselves to proper medical treatment.

It will thus be easily seen that the aborigines do not, in reality, gradually disappear before the advantages of civilization, but rather fall victims to the vices and diseases introduced by the advent of unprincipled Europeans among them.

JOHN FERGUSON, Colonial Surgeon.

Perth, Nov. 17, 1860.

It is quite certain that the natives die in quick succession in the districts inhabited by Europeans, and it appears not less certain that a great many of the deaths are attributable to their having lived among us. But it is not civilization that has caused their deaths; it is rather the vices of the Europeans which they have imbibed, and the ignorance and recklessness of results in the natives themselves. They are mere children in understanding, and if their present wants are gratified they care not for the future. As an instance:—There is a stringent law prohibiting the selling or giving intoxicating drinks to them, but they willingly yield to the assistance offered to them by unprincipled sailors and others to elude this law made for their benefit. The men become intoxicated, and misery and wretchedness are the consequences to a portion of their families, who die prematurely, but not before their vicious habits have injured many besides themselves. There are many individuals in all countries who neither regard the laws of God nor man, and these unfortunate people might have been of the number, even if they had been civilized, but the probability is, that there would not have been so many victims if they had been rescued as children, and been taught what was right and really civilized. To live such a life as they now lead in towns among Europeans is not being civilized.

Not one of the Annesfield school children have ever shown the slightest wish to return to the bush; and from their parents and other relatives visiting them they have had opportunities enough to do so, if they had chosen to go. They duly appreciate civilization, and it has not injured the health of any of them, but, on the contrary, several that were ill when they came have improved in health.

It can scarcely be said that the civilization of the aborigines has been attempted in Western Australia. Five or six schools have at different times been established; some of these by private societies or individuals, and the remainder by Government. But there has been no organized system adopted, such as is necessary to the carrying out any great work. How little can any single school do! In the Annesfield Government Institution it has been the aim to prove that the natives are capable of being made useful members of society, and, what is more, that they are capable of understanding and embracing the great truths of salvation; and the result is fully satisfactory. But this institution is limited to 24 children.

The aborigines are like so much material without capital or tools to fashion it. For in a country such as this, where there are so many profitable {64} ways of employing money and labour, few can be found willing to furnish either of these requisites for this work of benevolence and unsought justice. It is said that nothing can be effected among the adult natives. But the colony has now been in the possession of the English 31 years, and if the then parents had been induced to give up their children for training, or even if they had given them up three or four years after, when they had got to know us as a friendly people, there would now be few of them in the settled districts but such as would have had the opportunity of being civilized.

ANNE CAMFIELD.

CEYLON.

In reply to Miss Nightingale’s question, “Whether we can civilize the native people without killing them?” it is gratifying to be able to assure her, that in Ceylon the native population, both of Singhalese and Tamil race, instead of declining and dying off before the European settlers, is rapidly increasing, and that the number both of our schools and scholars would be far greater than it is, if only we had the means of maintaining them at command.

J. COLOMBO.

The steady increase of population, however, except perhaps in the remotest districts, which education in any form has not yet reached, inclines me to believe that schools, whether conducted on the native or English systems, have proved an unqualified benefit to the people, and that, instead of inducing or extending disease of any kind, many of those enumerated in Miss Nightingale’s list being unknown in Ceylon, they have, by even temporarily withdrawing those who by reason of their tender age are most subject to the injurious consequences of bad habits and premature exertion, secured for them a remarkable immunity from the prevailing diseases of the country for the remainder of their lives.

C. P. LAYARD, Govt. Agent.

See Tables V. and W., pp. 50 and 51.

The principal civil medical officer has prepared returns to show the diseases of the Singhalese and mixed races, and of the Malabars. The deaths among the latter are in the proportion of 20 per cent. against 8 per cent. among the former. This remarkable disproportion in the mortality may be accounted for by the starving condition in which the Malabar coolies generally arrive in this colony; their uncleanly habits; their abstinence from animal food, and, as a consequence, the low standard of their vital organization; and exposure without sufficient clothing in the cold climate of the hills. They sink rapidly under attacks of diarrhœa, dysentery, and anasarca.

The diseases which are most prevalent and fatal among the native races are such as are incidental to this climate, viz., fever, chiefly of the intermittent type, bowel complaints, and anasarca, while cases of scrofula and consumption, to which Miss Nightingale alludes as prevalent “among those converted to Christian civilization,” are happily seldom met with.

The Commission states, in reply to Miss Nightingale’s question, “Can we civilize these people without killing them?” that those diseases which are supposed to be attendant on European civilization are not common among the native inhabitants of the colony, and that, so far from the natives dying out before the march of civilization, the native population is on the increase in the neighbourhood of the larger towns, while it is only in the remote and less civilized districts that the population is decreasing, and this from causes which are being gradually removed by the spread of education.

C. J. MAC CARTHY

It will doubtless be satisfactory to Miss Nightingale to learn that scrofula and consumption are not common diseases among the native inhabitants of the colony, and that, so far from the efforts made to civilize the people having the effect of causing the extinction of the native races in this colony, the natives in the neighbourhood of the larger towns are rapidly increasing in numbers, while in some of the remoter districts where schools are as yet unknown the population is decreasing. Amongst the causes of this decrease may be mentioned the hateful practice of polyandry, now happily forbidden by law, and the want of proper sustenance, the result partly of imperfect means of cultivation. A better state of things is gradually being brought about by {65} the spread of education, and by this very civilization which is said to be likely to cause the extinction of the native races.

J. F. DICKSON.

Remarks by the Rev. Mr. Ondoatjee.

MATURA.

In reference to the reasons which induced Miss Nightingale to enter on the present field of inquiry, it may be stated that the conversion of the natives of this island to Christianity, so far from its exerting any fatal or injurious effect on health and life, has vastly improved their condition socially as well as physically. Christian civilization is doing much for them; and the only hope we have of raising the people from that state of moral degradation in which they are found throughout the country is by imparting to them the knowledge of Christian truth, which never fails to produce the happiest effects on their habits of life in general, though it may occasionally happen, that by intercourse with foreigners, vices inimical to longevity are learnt by the aborigines. On the whole, however, it cannot for a moment be doubted that it is to the introduction of Christianity, and, along with it, of European science and European literature, that we have to look for the gradual amelioration of the condition of the races that inhabit this island; and, consequently, it appears to me that no effort should be spared to extend the benefits of a sound Christian education (giving it as much as possible a practical tone and character) throughout the length and breadth of this beautiful and interesting country. It must be admitted that there has been but little done as yet in the island in the way of Christian civilization; but those who are in a position to compare the state of things at present with what it was 20 or 30 years ago admit that there are signs of progress to be seen in various parts of the island, and surely this as a ground of encouragement is not to be despised or underrated.

W. C. MACREADY, Acting Asst. Agent.

Matura, 20th December 1860.

MAURITIUS.

Vide Tables T. and U., pp.

48

and 49.

This return contains the numbers of admissions to, deaths and discharges from, the civil hospital, during the last six years, of the creoles and Indians, which may be taken to represent the aboriginal population of this island, although few, except the creoles, are really natives. It will be seen that the rate of deaths is very large, and this, without explanation, might give rise to false inference as to the healthfulness of the island. The general death rate of the Indians throughout the island for 1859 was 25 per 1,000, or only 2 per 1,000 above that of all England for 1858; and, when it is considered that all, or almost all, the Indians are agricultural labourers or servants, and from the nature of their labour much exposed to casualties, such a death rate points to Mauritius as (what it is) an exceedingly healthy locality. Why then so large a mortality as 22 per cent. in the civil hospital? The answer is readily given by the fact that the same prejudice against hospitals exists among the Indians and creoles here as among the poorer classes in England, but in an exaggerated degree, and consequently that a very large proportion of absolutely hopeless cases are admitted; so much is this the case, that in 1860, out of 696 deaths, no less than 108 died within 24 hours after admission, and nearly one-half of the deaths occurred within the first week.

In this return two epidemics of cholera are included; one of very severe character in 1856, and a smaller one in 1859, which carried off above 306 patients. The most fatal diseases, it will be seen, are dysentery, diarrhœa, phthisis, dropsy, and fever. The greater number of the cases of dysentery admitted are old worn-out cases in the last stage of emaciation, filth, and misery; many of them abandoned by their friends, picked up by the police, and brought into hospital to die. The greater part of the cases entered as diarrhœa in former years were undoubtedly either dysentery or phthisis; the latter is as prevalent (if not more so) among all classes of inhabitants as in England. The cases of dropsy depend on the same causes as in Europe, but many cases are seen which present scarcely any morbid change in any of the organs. Fever is of very low type, and true typhus and typhoid are not unfrequent. Although many of the Indians and creoles are habitual drunkards, cases of delirium tremens are very rare. Leprosy is a frequent and fearful disease among creoles and Indians, but the frequency is not shown in the return, as, until {66} lately, all the cases of leprosy were sent to a ward for that purpose in the lunatic asylum. This disease rarely occurs among Europeans arrived from Europe, it is more frequent among creoles of European parents born in the island, and very much more so among the mixed African race and the Indians. Tetanus, both traumatic and idiopathic, occurs very much more frequently than in Europe.

P. B. AYRES, M.D. Lond., Surgeon in charge.

Civil Hospital, Port Louis, 22d June 1861.

CANADA.

Diseases of malarious origin are most numerous among Indians as well as whites, the former comparing favourably with the latter as far as health is concerned.

R. H. DEE, M.D.

MANITOWANING.

Vide Tables X. and Y. pp.

52

and 53.

As regards the diseases it is easy to perceive that some predominate over others; for instance, chronicus rheumatismus, worms, porrigo, bronchitis chronica, phthisis pulmonalis, and others. These, of course, in a great measure originate from the careless and dirty habits of the semi-civilized Indians, along with their daily exposure to all sorts of weather without having different clothing to wear in winter from that which they have been in the habit of using during the summer; in addition to which, their living principally upon corn and potatoes (fish not always being procurable), which induces the production of worms, and at the same time being a sort of food very unsuitable for children. Scrofula is universal amongst them, and in a great measure is produced from their near intermarriages; and it is quite a common circumstance for a boy of 16 or 17 to marry a girl of the same age, and very often much younger; hence the offspring of such parents must necessarily be weak and degenerate, and in consequence of their hereditary debility more liable to the attacks of illness. Again, those Indians uncivilized living at a great distance in the interior, and who come down occasionally to trade with the Hudson’s Bay Company, I have always been given to understand were for the most part generally healthy, much more so than those of the semi-civilized tribes. I myself have had but little communication with them, as they seldom visit our island, but the officers of the Company’s service, with whom I have become acquainted, have always expressed but one opinion upon the subject.

DAVID LAYTON.

In running over the diseases for the last five years, many cases of common occurrence, not of dangerous or severe nature, are omitted, from the fact that no particular inventory was required, so that the enclosed number of cases are merely taken at the time of attendance from their symptoms and necessity for peculiar or active treatment.

You are aware that the Savnia Indians are principally Christians, or call themselves such, although living in a half-civilized state. For one portion of the year they are living in warm comfortable houses, while provisions and the necessaries of life are easily procured by them; during this period they are happy and contented, little sickness prevailing. The other portion of the year, from a peculiar propensity, I suppose inherent in the race, they take to the bush, while their living in wigwams, scant of clothing, provisions hard to be obtained, exposed to all the vicissitudes of climate, wet feet, &c., as a natural consequence intermittents, remittent, and other fevers, rheumatism, laryngitis, bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, phthisis pulmonalis, follow invariably.

Their diversity of diet and method of living has a most pernicious influence in causing dyspepsia, worms, and most other ills to which the alimentary canal is liable, while congestion of liver, lungs, and irritation of bladder are of very frequent occurrence in a mild form; from this cause the whole tribe suffer, even to children of a year old.

What may have been their ailments while in a heathen state I cannot say, not being in attendance on them, but from what I hear of the number of deaths at that period, from variola before the introduction of vaccination, exposure, scant clothing and diet, and changes of climate, &c., it must have been enormous; to draw any definite result or give an average of deaths from their former and present mode of living would be impossible on my part. The few families of {67} Christian Indians on the reserve who live as whites are just as healthy, and increase in numbers equally, while the whole tribe, as they are at present, increase yearly.

THOMAS W. JOHNSTON, M.D., Savnia, C. W.

NEW ZEALAND.

As to the sanitary state of the native population, I regret to state, not only from the information of several gentlemen with whom during my mission I had an opportunity of conversing, but also from personal observation and inquiry, that they are by no means in that healthy state which one would be led to expect when compared with the advance they have made in other respects. In the former it would appear that they are retrograding, and this decline is especially visible in and near the European towns, and easily attributable to causes, the prevalence of which is more or less detrimental to any body of persons, but felt in a greater degree in a mixed community of Europeans and natives. In illustration of this, I may mention the comparatively few births, while from the census it will be seen that a greater equality of the sexes prevails than was generally believed to be the case throughout the entire districts; and perhaps, therefore, the most favourable conclusion to form is, that the native population is not increasing, or, in other words, that, taking the deaths and births into account, it is likely to remain stationary for some time to come, unless swept off by some unusual and fatal disease.

H. TACY KEMP, Native Secretary.

Wellington, 15 June 1850.

LONDON

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Printers to the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty.