On elephantiasis as it exists in Travancore / by Edward John Waring.

  • Waring, Edward John, 1819-1891
Date:
[between 1850 and 1859?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On elephantiasis as it exists in Travancore / by Edward John Waring. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    44/48 (page 36)
    Taking the whole community of Jews at this settlement, White as well as Black, we have a total population of 419, of whom 29 or 1 in 14^ nearly, present evident marks of Elephantiasis. Another community of black Jews is located at Ernacollum, a lar^e native town situated on the main land, i. e., on the East or land-side of the back-water : it is separated from the Jews-town at Cochin by the back-water, which at this point is about three or four miles in breadth. The water at this place, both from wells and tanks, is reported to be of good quality. Fish (without scales) form the principal articles of diet. Of this community of Jews, consisting of 353 individuals, only 3, or about 1 in 114, are affected with Ele- phantiasis. A third community of Jews (black) exists at Chennamungalum in the Cochin Territory, about 25 miles North-East of the Town of Cochin, and about 5 miles inland. It is situated on the banks of a river, from which (and also from wells in the hot weather,) good water is obtainable. There are no swamps in the neighbourhood, nor any collections of decomposing vegetable matter : but I am informed that during the heavy rains, the banks of the river are occasionally over- flowed, and the place inundated. Of the 64 Jews there located, not a single case of Elephantiasis exists. The above statements may be thus summed up Population. With Elephantiasis. Proportion. Jews at Cochin, on the West j side of the back-water, ... J Jews at Ernacollum, on the mainland or West side of > the back-water, Jews at Chennamungalum, five miles inland, The above figures and statements are based on a most excellent Report, obtained for me from the Jewish Authorities by Vencata Row, the Dewan of Cochin. The bearing of the facts adduced in this Report on the facts detailed in the body of this paper, is too evident to need further comment. 419 29 1 in Hi 353 3 1 in 114* 65 0 0 in 0 * Printed by P. M. Cranenbuhgh, Military Orphan Press,—Calcutta.