Native Remedy—Unhygienic

But Effective

From Our Own Correspondent

Mangaia, Aug.

mHIS writer recently witnessed another X demonstration of the efficacy of a simple and very ancient Polynesian remedy that heals wounds with remark able speed.

It is so simple that one would almost despise it—just moss from cooonut-trees, and the blossom called “Tiare Maori.”

The two items are chewed to a pulp, in old-fashioned kava-style. The pulped moss and flowers form a salve, that is placed on the wound, and then bandaged.

In an amazingly short time, healing takes place, in spite of the seemingly unhygienic method of blending the moss and the flowers. The old tribal wars caused much use of this remedy in pre mission days.

There is something in the old Poly nesian herbs that might well be looked into by European medical science; but I have never yet met a white doctor who was sufficiently interested.

Among Samoa-born soldiers who re cently returned to Samoa on leave from active service overseas were Privates John Hancock and Richard McFall, of the New Zealand Forces, who had seen service in Fiji and the Treasury Islands; and Pri vates Andrew Brunt and Sikuea, of the Fiji Defence Forces.