Page:Journals of Several Expeditions Made in Western Australia.djvu/252

 has hitherto been met with. Syphilis is unknown, and vaccination, after repeated trials, has failed.

Scurvy has not been either so common or so formidable as last year. The increasing comforts of the settlers arc gradually undermining and will soon eradicate this disease.

The cases of disease have been, on the whole, fewer in number, and milder in character this year than the preceding. The favourable opinion I have already expressed of the influence of this climate on European constitutions, as well as a residence for invalids from India, is strengthened by a further experience of two years.

I have met with several individuals here, who, on leaving England, were great sufferers from dyspepsia, and disorders of the digestive organs generally, from the nervous affections which so often accompany these—from hypochondria, from asthma, and from bronchial diseases—who have recovered their health in a remarkable degree since their arrival. Some of slight figures have become more robust and stronger. Parturition with the female sex is expeditious and safe, being accomplished by the efforts of nature alone within from three to six hours. No woman has died in child-birth in this colony since its commencement, nor am I aware of any who died within a month after.

Children thrive remarkably well; and I may add, every description of live stock, although collected from different climates,—England, India, South America, Africa, &c., and various plants and vegetables collected from as many different sources, find here a congenial temperature.

Indeed I am disposed to conclude, that when the settlers are well lodged and fed, and the country more cultivated and improved, but few diseases will be met with; I might perhaps say, only dysentery and opthalmia, and these of a mild character.

, M.D.