That knowledge made the task of using disinfectants much easier to instill in their minds. It was impressed on them that properly caring for the home was a daily task, and must not be neglected.
The women used combs made from the fins of fish. These were constructed in the following[p. 140] manner: The entire fin was removed, and the bony structure at the base of the teeth was bound between two strips of bamboo, and tied around by fibers, as shown. The whole was then placed in a vessel containing boiling water. The result was that when taken out the meat of the fish, being glue-like, would act as a cement to hold the teeth in place.
Such combs are anything but sanitary, as might be surmised, and the inhabitants were subject to pests arising from articles so made. Their only salvation was, in fact, the daily habit of using oil, and, from a sanitary point of view, there was nothing objectionable to this excepting the odor which naturally followed, due to the oil becoming rancid. The boys then began to make combs from a specie of bamboo, and from the ironwood tree.
During one of the fishing trips the boys brought home an immense turtle. The Professor's eyes sparkled when he saw it.
Will related their experience in capturing it. "Is it good to eat?" he asked.
"Yes; all turtles and tortoises are good to eat."
"What is the difference between the two?"
"The turtle is a sea animal, and the tortoise[p. 141] a land and water animal. You must have caught this near the sea, as it is a specie of turtle called the Testudo."