“Permititis!’

Strange Annual Epidemic In Rarotonga.

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Jan. 1.

Numerous cases of sickness—technical rather than medical —appeared amongst white people here during the week or two preceding Christmas.

The Cook Group is a “dry” territory but the doctor has power to prescribe suitable liquid treatment for “general health purposes.” It is believed that many cases of Europeans being off colour with the painful symptom of dry ness about the throat (difficult to shake off) have occurred during December.

The outbreak has now subsided. A few odd cases of this complaint, “permi titis,” will possibly occur again during the year.