J. F. DICKSON.
Remarks by the Rev. Mr. Ondoatjee.
MATURA.
In reference to the reasons which induced Miss Nightingale to enter on the present field of inquiry, it may be stated that the conversion of the natives of this island to Christianity, so far from its exerting any fatal or injurious effect on health and life, has vastly improved their condition socially as well as physically. Christian civilization is doing much for them; and the only hope we have of raising the people from that state of moral degradation in which they are found throughout the country is by imparting to them the knowledge of Christian truth, which never fails to produce the happiest effects on their habits of life in general, though it may occasionally happen, that by intercourse with foreigners, vices inimical to longevity are learnt by the aborigines. On the whole, however, it cannot for a moment be doubted that it is to the introduction of Christianity, and, along with it, of European science and European literature, that we have to look for the gradual amelioration of the condition of the races that inhabit this island; and, consequently, it appears to me that no effort should be spared to extend the benefits of a sound Christian education (giving it as much as possible a practical tone and character) throughout the length and breadth of this beautiful and interesting country. It must be admitted that there has been but little done as yet in the island in the way of Christian civilization; but those who are in a position to compare the state of things at present with what it was 20 or 30 years ago admit that there are signs of progress to be seen in various parts of the island, and surely this as a ground of encouragement is not to be despised or underrated.
W. C. MACREADY,
Acting Asst. Agent.
Matura, 20th December 1860.
MAURITIUS.
This return contains the numbers of admissions to, deaths and discharges from, the civil hospital, during the last six years, of the creoles and Indians, which may be taken to represent the aboriginal population of this island, although few, except the creoles, are really natives. It will be seen that the rate of deaths is very large, and this, without explanation, might give rise to false inference as to the healthfulness of the island. The general death rate of the Indians throughout the island for 1859 was 25 per 1,000, or only 2 per 1,000 above that of all England for 1858; and, when it is considered that all, or almost all, the Indians are agricultural labourers or servants, and from the nature of their labour much exposed to casualties, such a death rate points to Mauritius as (what it is) an exceedingly healthy locality. Why then so large a mortality as 22 per cent. in the civil hospital? The answer is readily given by the fact that the same prejudice against hospitals exists among the Indians and creoles here as among the poorer classes in England, but in an exaggerated degree, and consequently that a very large proportion of absolutely hopeless cases are admitted; so much is this the case, that in 1860, out of 696 deaths, no less than 108 died within 24 hours after admission, and nearly one-half of the deaths occurred within the first week.