Indian Antiquary Vol 58

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 363

OCTOBER, 1929)
REMARKS ON THE ANDAMAN ISLANDERS AND THEIR COUNTRY
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An unintentional artificial depression of the forehead and sides and top of the skull is produced in some women, chiefly among the Onges, by using a strap to carry loads on the back when young. No parts of the body are intentionally pierced, injured or deformed for the wearing of ornaments and other purposes, though the skin is extensively tattooed.
Idiocy, insanity and natural deformities are rare among them. Epilepsy is, however, recognised, and homicidal mania oecurs sometimes with concomitants of insanity, such as eating raw flesh or earth and drinking the blood of the victim.
Statements at my disposal as to the relative prevalence of diseases among the Andamanese and their relative fatality are unsatisfactory, but so far as I can make out the following is a fair statement of the case in order of importance - I.-Fevers .. .. .. ..
.. .
.. .. .. 45 per cent. of all cases. II.-Respiratory organs .. . .. .. .. 35 II).-Digestive organs . .
.. 18 IV.-Other diseases Theee classes may be further divided up more specifically thus - 1.-Malaria .
.. 40 per cent. of all cases. Other fever's .. H.-Chronic bronchitis ..
.. .. 20 »
» Pneumonia .. .
Other chest diseases .. III.-Diarrhoea .. ..
Other abdominal diseases . IV.-Other diseases .. .. ..
Without placing too much reliance on the above table, it serves to bring out the fact that among the Andamanese, as among the alien immigrants, malarial fever is the overwhelming prevalent cause of sickness. As also in the case of immigrants, malarial fever is not nearly so fatal in proportion to cases as the diseases of the respiratory and digestive organs. Thug I make out that deaths from malarial fevers occur in 8.5 per cent. of the cases, while those from diseases of the respiratory organs in 90 per cent., and of the digestive organs in 74 per cent. These considerations prepare us for the old statement that the prevalent diseases among the Andamanese are climatic and the same as those of the foreign immigrants.
Going a little further into detail, it has been noticed that malarial fevers are commonest in June, at the commencement of the monsoon and during heavy bursts of rain thereafter. Malarial fever commences as usual in the intermittent form and proves fatal as remittent fever. Other zymotic fevers are uncommon, though the Andamanese will drink the filthiest water. A short rainfall in the Andamans is usually accompanied by high dry winds and then is the high time of the chest diseases. But though the Andamanese are susceptible to bronchial catarrh, and though chronic bronchitis is common, it is not fatal ; pneumonia is, however, extremely fatal. Pleurisy, hemoptysis and phthisis are comparatively rare. Abdominal diseases, though comparatively uncommon, are very fatal; diarrhoea, including probably dysentery, claiming most victime. Dyspepsia and colic are both common. In health the stools are regular, but inclined to looseness. They have been likened to those of the lower mammals when in good health.
Of other diseases sunstroke is dreaded and always fatal. The brain and spinal cord are not often affected, though curvature of the spine is occasionally seen. Scurvy occurs at the seasons when vegetable diet, i.e., such as fruits and roots afford, is too scanty. Elephantiasis occurs among the Unges, but is limited to the Littlo Andaman. Chronic muscular rheumatism occurs among the older people, leading to loss and withering of limbs. Uloors, geno. rally the result of wounds in the jungles, are common and, as with the immigrants, slow to heal. Abscesses are also common. Considering that personal uncleanliness is often extreme, skin diseases are curiously infrequent, except ringworm and exfoliated dermatitis, some. times leading to destruction of finger and toe nails, due either to scurvy or exposure.