I saw but two instances of goitre or bronchocele in this entire region of country, and the information received from Dom Correa is conclusively that they were not generated here, but imported from other parts. There is no serra here, and so far as my observation goes, goitre is confined to those living in the vicinity of the serras.
This section and the country about Araraquara are the only parts visited thus far in which this ugly deformity did not prevail amongst the women.
It is not however confined to the women exclusively, as several instances have been seen among males, and the condition of climate, water, atmosphere, or diet, which promotes the development of this condition, cannot be favorable to the constitutional health of those exposed to its influence. No leprosy found here.
We halted at a small shop upon our route to-day, where oranges were sold at the rate of four for a cent; and all of us having a relish for this fruit, concluded we never could satisfy our taste more cheaply, so we turned to and ate the whole stock in trade. One gentleman was reported to have eaten fourteen oranges, but I thought that a full complement was received with half of that number, and it puzzled me to know how any one eat more than I did in the same length of time.
A large concourse of persons on horseback were met to-day, males and females, dressed out in their best clothes. Some of them were provided with musical instruments, and there was a train of pack-mules, upon one of which there were two immense boxes, and sundry smaller trunks upon the others. We understood that it was a movement to celebrate the feast of the Holy Ghost at the Freguezia de Jahu, which is done yearly by the Catholics here.
Returning by a different route from that of our trip in going up, we encountered extensive campos, and soil generally of inferior quality, until we reached the Serra de Brotas, upon which the land, as stated previously, is very good, and lies favorably.
We reached the residence of Senor Domingos José Carneiro (son-in-law of the old Colonel) this afternoon at 5 o’clock, when we were kindly received by him and his wife, and found every thing arranged for the comfort of the entire party.
A letter was received this afternoon from our faithful friend, Senor Joaquim Lorenço, responding in the most feeling terms to a communication made to him by our entire party in leaving his house. As the two letters may be now inserted together, and may give those who read these pages an idea of the relations subsisting with this noble-souled Brazilian, I will give a translation of his in connection with that sent by us.
Araraquara, November 2, 1865.
The following-named persons, recently from the United States of America, and their companions, have received such favors at your house and such assistance from you in the examination of the lands of Araraquara, that we desire to leave with you an expression of our great obligations and our sincere thanks for your kindness.