The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1880-05-26


sAxrrAHr Iss -Err-IoSs Fos HAsAnAxs. In the Eng
nsh and Hawaiian languages. By WAITER MUR
EAr GIssoS, Chairman Of Sanitary Committee Of
Black 1850 Pp- si2
This book was written In English, and trans
lassd into Hawaiian which latter version appeared
last year a series of articles In the two native
papers The English version is now published for
the first time. Readers Of the Prison of Welte-
vreden@ VIII here find the authors pointed and
graphic style in full force. As addressed 10 Ha-
vaiiAns, If is IN direct and simple language. We
wish that the force of the original could have been
conveyed in the Hawaiian version. Still the ma
tives Will find it eninently readable, and we have
no doubt that II viii attract great and permanent
interest The author msnifests an intimate
acquaintance with the habits and peculiarities Of
Eavsiisns, and knows how TO reach their minds
The instructions and rules appear to be generally
sound and practical
few points seem open TO adverse criticism.
Alcoholic intoxicants are duly and foEcibly con-
dsnned, but not word against narcotics, which
sesn to Be rather approved than otherwise, espe-
ci2Iy ava, Up. 1851 Yet ava is not the least of
the po;sons that are wasting the life of the people
Total abstinence not insisted upon. especially
among HAvRnans in high position" We hardly
know vh-t class of religious teachers are here
referred 10.
As 70 the assertion on page "A, of q general prev
alence Of polyandry at the present time, we leave
our author 70 the vrathful criticisms Of the Ad-
perfiaer.
We have failed TO find any mention of a very
common eense Of illness among Havaiians, that
iss gorging with food after great fatigue. In di-
rections for infants food, the essential direction
20 add veter and sugar 70 cows milk is omitted
Some Of the rules appear fanciful, Rule j. D.
fs, mot 70 bcild houses Of unseasoned timber, if
dangerous rheCmatisms and bad colds are to be
axoidsd, Qike the good lady who caught cold BY
taking her Cruel from damp basin
On p b6 Ia positive instruction to wear shoes
We regard going barefoot as especially favorable
20 health Shoes are necessity of frosty climes
Tropical races have always ignored them. White
children here are much healthier bare-footed
Some Of the ladies will not accept the desiena-
ton on p ST. of ''the ungainly bed gown holot1" "
The book is largely padded" with Irrelevant
matter, and excursions to topics entertaining but
not important, such as the Mslaysian experiences
Some of these may make the book more readable
There is hardly this excuse for devoring three
pages 70 Capt. Cook. On this and another topic
we subioin letter from friend in the mission
airy circle.
The authors regrets for the old oppressive feud-
alism Sp- 1851 are simply surprising. There is
evidently an element of romance here which
usurps the place of common sense. But the rlles
inid down for personal cleanliness, for chastity,
Tor the of children and for the proper respect
of women are 70 be commended.
Mn. EDuoB,-As to Mr.. Gibson's claim that his
book is the first monument In Hawaii nei devot-
ed 70 Hygeia," it seems due to Dr. Judd's abridee-
ment Of Cutters Anatomy aud Physiology, which
Mr.. Gibson says dld not contain any instructions
the care of health to say that Oh the contrary
&hat book abounds In specific and valuable instruc-
uons, and that as q text book used by more than
one thousand pupils at Lahainaluna. 1t has been
the means of wide dissemination of knowledge
of the laws Of health. Hawaiian newspapers IN
former years have contained frequent articles
upon the subject ] remember a series of such
articles vigorously written, by Rev. c. B. Andrews
gsne years ago. Those familiar with the habits
of tbs missionaries know that a very considerable
proportion of their work has always consisted of
oral and practical instruction on sanitary laws
especially in connection with healing the sick
Mr.. Glbson's book Is most welcome as a valua-
bic and timely contribution to the means OF in
Etruchor on this vital topic. Ittakes wide range
and makes many new suggestions. Those viii
doubtless be disappointed, however, who antici-
pate that any people, much less people of as
muct inertia as Haraiians will experience a wide
revolution In their habits merely by the circula-
6on among them Of any book, however forcibly
written The 1borious practical and personal
Instruction OF the past must be faithfully contiuu-
I'd, OF the book viii accomplish bat little
Upon the question of the original introduction
OF syphilis by the ships of the discorerer Cook II
seems strange 70 say that the first foreign hisfo-
riAnz were dependent for fheir statements about
the pe1od OF discovery upon the stories OF tradi-
tons OF ignorant people, Ne6srz Bingham and
Dibble were men of enact minds and derived their
information from personal Witnesses of Cooks
visit, who were high chiefs and priests of great
inteligenes and ability. No event was more con-
epicuous than the sudden diffusion at that time of
The NEW and ternhle plague / was myself in boy
hood intimately Acquainted with the venerable
kek1pluli, . wife IL Kaleiopun, and an eye-Eit-
ne1a Gf Cooks death. Yours.