Page 334
An.1686
The Leprosie.
as good, or rather better than the Manila Tobacco, but they have not that vent for it as the Spaniards have.
The Mindanao people are much troubled with a sort of Leprosie, the same as we observed at Guam. This distemper runs with a dry Scurf all over their bodies, and causeth great itching in those that have it, making them frequently scratch and scrub them- selves, which raiseth the outer skin in small whitish flakes, like the scales of little Fish, when they are raised on end with a Knife. This makes their skin extraordinary rough, and in some you shall see broad white spots in several parts of their body. I judge such have had it, but are cured; for their skins were smooth, and I did not perceive them to scrub themselves: yet I have learnt from their own mouths that these spots were from this distemper. Whether they use any means to cure themsleves, or whether it goes away of it self, I know not: but I did not perceive that they made any great matter of it, for they did never refrain any company for it; none of our people caught it of them, for we were afraid of it and kept off. They are some- times troubled with the Small Pox, but their ordi- nary distempers are Fevers, Agues, Fluxes, with great pains, and gripings in their guts. The Coun- try affords a great many Drugs and Medicinal Herbs; whose Virtues are not unknown to some of them that pretend to cure the sick.
The Mindanao Men have many Wives: but what Ceremonies are used when they marry I know not. There is commonly a great Feast made by the Bridegroom to entertain his Friends, and the most part of the night is spent in mirth.
The Sultan is absolute in his power over all his Subjects. He is but a poor Prince; for as I men- tioned before, they have but little Trade, and therefore cannot be rich. If the Sultan understands that