462
Report of M. M. S. Hospital at Chusan.
AUG.
conjunctiva as above mentioned. This state of granulation of the palpebral conjunctiva induces in course of time entropium, which has already been spoken of: but still more frequently, more or less dense opacity of the cornea itself comes on. It does not appear that persons afflicted with granular lids often become completely blind, but constant pain and lachrymation are produced, and the sight mate- rially injured by the degree of opacity of the cornea which almost constantly accompanies this affection. The application of sulphate of copper, solution of nitrate of silver, and other remedies, were useful in relieving the irritation of the organ, and removing more or less of the opacity of the cornea.
It may not be out of place to mention here, that of all the females who came to the hospital (and they were not few), and of others seen in various parts of the island, not one among thein had feet of the natural size. Some were not so much compressed as others, but the practice of confining the feet, during its growth, is universal at Chusan, while at Canton and Macao many women have their feet completely free, and of natural size. Though several females came to the hos- pital affected with various diseases, and with ulcers of the leg, only in one or two instances was there seen any ulcer or other disease apparently caused by the compression of the foot, and the forced dis tortion of its bones. It cannot be said with any degree of certainty how far this practice is injurious to health; but it would appear, from the observation of numerous instances, among different classes of society, both in children and adults, that it does not cause so much misery as might be expected from the severe treatment to which the feet are subjected in infancy. Very frequently when walking in the open country, strong healthy women, though having their feet very much compressed, were seen walking about with readiness, and not apparently suffering from any pain in the feet whatever others also have walked several miles to the hospital, and have had to return home the same day, so that locomotion is by no means prevented.
It is ever interesting to observe the effects on health, which are caused by the habits and customs of a people, and this is one not undeserving of some attention as more intimate acquaintance with the Chinese is obtained. And torturing as this treatment of the feet would appear to be, and unsightly as are its consequences, it is perhaps on the whole not more injurious to health and comfort, than are the practices inflicted by fashion on the female sex in western nations. The accompanying list of diseases is not entirely without interest in its relation to vital statistics. It shows that intermittent fever