EAST COAST.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 935, 28 October 1879, Page 2

EAST COAST.

[FROM Otm QWtf CORRESPONDENT.] October 15. I rboret to learn that whooping cough, which has been so fatal in its effects among the Native children hereabouts, has made its appearance in Gisborne, and in the earnest and fervent hope that the following may be of benefit to the little sufferers, I forward it to you for publication. The following letter from "A Mother "appeared in ;the Auckland Evening Star some time ago :'—**. In ■ answer to your Hastings correspondent, asking for a receipt for whooping cough, I beg to enclose the following, which I have tried with my own children, and many neighbours, for 30 years, and never knew it to fail. To a large tea cup of sugar-and-water syrup — when cold, sharpened with good vinegar, add 30 drops of laudanum ; for a child of 14 a tablespoonful twice or three times a day. Reduce the quantity according to age, giving a teaspoonful twice or three times a day to those of three or four years." The above most valuable receipt was tried by numbers of people in> Auckland, and it never failed in any one case, and every parent who tried it had reason to bless the writer of the above letter. I have only to add my own humble testimony ; I thought so highly of the receipt that I cut the poragraph out of the paper, although at the time it was published I had, fortunately, no use for it. I have carefully kept it ever since, and lately several of my children were attacked by whooping cough almost i at the same time, their ages ranging from a few months up to 7 years, one of them was dangerously ill, but though many miles from either a doctor or chemist they are all perfectly restored to health. I should not have written so lengthily of my own experience of the above, were it not that I wish to induce others (and more especially those of limited means who cannot afford to pay heavy doctors' bills) to be benefitted by using it as those who try it undoubtedly will be. October 25, 1879. lam very sorry that my last communication missed the post, but it is better to be late than never, I send it now. I approach the subject on whioh I intend to make a few remarks with considerable diffidence, because while it is a very pleasing duty to give oredit for meritorious actions to those deserving it, it is decidedly the reverse to feel called upon to ohroniole anything blameworthy of one's fellow settlers ; nevertheless occasions arise which compel one, however reluctantly, to adopt the latter course. I believe that Dr. Henry Pollen receives £75 per annum from the Native Department for attending to the sick Maoris of the Ngatiporou tribe, but

with the exception of one or two vi*^ to Wai-o-matatine, he has done nothi^whatever for the Natives of these parts since he was appointed over two years ago, I believe. I have in common with many others been greatly surprised that none of those who delight in advocating the Maori cause have ever said or written a word on this subject. It may be that the doctor fully earns the above amount and more in attending and prescribing for the Maoris in Gisbprne and its immediate neighbourhood," and if '.that is the case, far be it from me to cast any blame ou him for neglecting the Natives up this way ; but he should acquaint them of the fact, as it would prtvent them from believing that he is paid by the Government to attend 'them, but never does sol- -'During last winter when whooping cough Pro^d fatal to so many native children, tne doctor was never seen or heard of, and. many m:>re would have died but for the' medicines and attendance given by the few Europeans who live amongst them. It would be a thousand times more beneficial to the Natives if the Government spent the £75 in medicines (yearly) and divide them equally between those Government servants who are living amongst the Natives on this Coast it would do more good, and save more lives, 7 " than paying it to a doctor they never see or hear of, or from.