A Polynesian Earache Cure

That Works

From Our Own Correspondent

Mangaia, Cl.

ONE of the most torturing complaints common upon this island commences with the symptoms of the common hay-fever cold, and progresses to a vio lent pain in the ear, usually on one side only, though some victims get a double dose of the pain. The cause is obscure, but the local medicine-men, who combine a genuine skill in herbal remedies with ignorant quackery in other matters, have a remedy. The poro-poro leaf, bruised and mixed with candlenut mashed in water, is used as a local application, “blue-bag” fashion, wrapped in a small piece of calico. The liquid that exudes from the little bag functions very rapidly.

Within a few hours, the pain, which may have defied aspirin, is gone, and there is no recurrence.

The properties of this simple leaf and well-known nut might usefully be in vestigated by white doctors and chemists.