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42 S U M A T R A ,
Hill people The natives of the hills through the whole extent of the lfland, are
iubjeft to wens r , . n. , r „ , , , . , , i ,
o b\iubject
to thofe monftrous wens from the throat, which have been obferved
of the Vallais, and the inhabitants of other mountainous diftrifts
in Europe. It has been ufnal to attribute this affection, to the badnefs,
thawed ftate, mineral quality, or other peculiarity of the waters; many
fkilful men having applied themfelves to the inveftigation of the fubjeft.
My experience enables me to pronounce without hefitation, that the diforder,
for fuch it is, though it appears here to mark a diftinft race of
people (cronggoonong), is immediately connected with the hillinefs of
the country, and of courfe, if the circumftances of the water they ufe
contribute, it muft be only fo far as the nature of that water is affecz
ted by the inequality or height of the land. But on Sumatra neither
fnow nor other congelation is ever produced, which militates againft the
rnoft plaufible conjecture that has been adopted concerning the Alpine
goiters. From every refearch that I have been enabled to make, I think
Ï have reafon to conclude, that the complaint is owing, among the Sumatrans,
to the fogginefs of the air in the valleys between the high mountains,
where, and not on the fummits, the natives of thefe parts refide. I before
remarked, that between the ranges of hills, the cahoot or denfe mift,
was vifible for feveral hours every morning; riling in a thick, opake and
well defined body, with the fun, and feldom quite difperfed till after noon.
This phcenomenon, as well as that of the wens, being peculiar to the
regions of the hills, affords a prefumption that they may be connected ;
exclufive of the natural probability, that a cold vapour, grofs to an uncommon
degree, and continually enveloping the habitations, ihould
affect with tumors the throats of the inhabitants. I cannot pretend to
fay how far this folution may apply to the cafe of the goiters, but I rerecollect
it to have been mentioned, that the only method of curing
thefe people, is by removing them from the valleys, to the clear and
pure air on the tops of the hills; which feems to indicate a fimilar fource
of the diftemper with what I have pointed out. The Sumatrans do not
appear to attempt any remedy for it, the wens being confiftent with the
higheft health in other refpects.
M The