OF THE TONGA PEOPLE. 259

months, and so>metimes a couple of years.From the symptoms thus far described, there isnot much doubt ;about its resemblance to whatis called the yams „• the remedies they use forit are a certain bitter juice dropped into theulcers, and rubbimg off the fungous excrescenceswith cocoa-nut husk dipped in sea-water.They are subject also to a pustulous eruption,chiefly confined to the feet, but which some-times affects the hands : it usually appears be-tween the toes, amd has in its external charactera strong resemblance to psora, and itches verymuch : it appears in the form of small pustuleswith whitish heads, which, when rubbed off,generally discharge a watery fluid : it is sup-posed to arise from walking in clayey placeswithout the opportunity of washing the feetafterwards : it is not thought to be contagious :it usually lasts about four or five days. Thename they give it is gnowcoa. They use noremedy.

They are also subject to a disease calledfooa : but if we describe the symptoms of ele-phantiasis, we shall have related with tolerableaccuracy the history of this disorder. Labillar-diere notices the disease, and calls it elephan-tiasis. They use no remedy for it.

The disease called momoco , a sort of Maras-mus, usually lasts from four to seven months :

s 2