Polack J. S. 1840. Manners and customs of the New Zealanders. London, James Madden & Co.
Notes
Vol. I, Chapter 16: Flax trade. Use of flax in weaving. Dyes, white, red, and black. Flax steeped in water with bark... "the process is so rude as to rot and damage the texture of the cloth in some degree". Vol. II, Chapter 10: Notes on diseases of Māori. Stomach aches, constipation common. Polack attributes this to baked fernroot. Partial amaurosis or blindness mentioned as a disease of coasts. Catarrhs and colds common. Also venereal diseases, "remedied by the application of hot vegetable specifics of indigenous growth known to the natives." Cutaneous, scrofulous disorders far from uncommon, "probably from addiction to eating fish." Waiakiaki, "the Itch", cured by internal and external sulphur applications. "Asthma very rare, inflammatory tumours yet more so, boils not uncommon, goitres unknown." Chapter 16: On special occasions "hair tied with a pare or riband of flax or aute." Appendix - Section on timber trees and uses for colonists. Gums and resins. Edible plants.
Bibliographic details
Manners and customs of the New Zealanders