oque, proved quite
ineffectual to stay the plague. A better remedy, found in the country,
is an infusion of _Niota tetrapetala_ (Tagalog, _Manungal_). From time
to time this disease reappears. The returns given in the _Official
Gazette_ of March 2, 1904, Vol. II., No. 9, show the average monthly
mortality due to _Cholera_, in the 20-1/3 months between March 20,
1902, and December 1, 1903, to be 5,360. Annually, many natives suffer
from what is called _Colerin_--a mild form of _Cholera_, but not
epidemic. In the spring, deaths always occur from acute indigestion,
due to eating too plentifully of new rice. Many who have recovered
from _Cholera_ become victims to a disease known as _Beri-Beri_,
said to be caused by the rice and fish diet. The first symptom of
_Wet Beri-Beri_ is a swelling of the legs, like dropsy; that of _Dry
Beri-Beri_ is a wasting away of the limbs. _Smallpox_ makes great
ravages, and _Measles_ is a common complaint. _Lung_ and _Bronchial_
affections are very rare. The most fearful disease in the Colony is
_Leprosy_. [87] To my knowledge it is prevalent in the Province of
Bulacan (Luzon Is.), and in the islands of Cebu and Negros. There is an
asylum for lepers near Manila and at Mabolo, just outside the City of
Cebu (_vide_ Lepers), but no practical measures were ever adopted by
the Spaniards to eradicate this disease. The Spanish authorities were
always too indifferent about the propagation of leprosy to establish
a home on one island for all male lepers and another home, on another
island, for female lepers--the only effectual way to extirpate this
awful malady. In Baliuag (Bulacan), leper families, personally known
to me, were allowed to mix with the general public. In Cebu and Negros
Islands they were permitted to roam about on the highroads and beg.

The Insular Government has taken up the question of the Lepers,
and in 1904 a tract of land was purchased in the Island of Culion
(Calamianes group) to provide for their hygienic isolation. According
to the _Official Gazette_ of March 2, 1904, Vol. II., No. 9, the
total number of lepers, of whom the Insular Government had obtained
cognizance, up to December 31, 1903, was 3,343. Besides these there
would naturally be an unknown number who had escaped recognition.

There is apparently little _Insanity_ in the Islands. From the
Report of the Commissioner of Public Health for February, 1904,
it would appear that there were only about 1,415 insane persons