Page:Travels & discoveries in the Levant (1865) Vol. 1.djvu/301

Rh spread half over the island, and the Consulate has been for some days thronged with the halt, lame, and blind of many villages.

Among the cases brought before Dr. McCraith was that of a young lady of thirteen, already married, and with a child in her arms, which from her own tender age she was unable to nourish. Among the causes of the degradation of the races in the Levant may be reckoned the unnaturally early marriages which are very common in many of these islands. At Calymnos girls generally marry at the age of twelve. The Greek Bishops might, if they chose, check this practice.

There seems to be a great tendency in the climate of Rhodes to ophthalmic diseases. Dr. McCraith found a good many cases of pterggium, which is a triangular web commencing in the edge of the cornea and spreading invards to the pupil. It may be removed by cutting.

Great was the astonishment of the natives at the results of various operations for cataract, harelip, &c. An old priest came from a distant village to have his thumb amputated, of which the bone was diseased. He bore the pain like an ancient Spartan, and when I met him in his native villas-e some weeks afterwards, overwhelmed me with gratitude, rakee, and snuff. "I go to the church every day," he said, "and offer four wax candles to the Panagia, two for my [Dr. McCraith], and two for my chelliby," meaning me.

At the end of the month, the "Firebrand" called again at Rhodes, and took Lord Carlisle on board.