Cauterizing

Ringworm (pita) (Tinea imbricata), which is known throughout the islands to the south as “Tokelau ringworm”, was introduced into Tokelau by an infected Gilbertese named Peter who came to Fakaofu on a whaling ship. The native name of the disease, pita, is taken from his name. It is rampant in the islands and covers the entire body of many natives. A second form of ringworm (lafa) blackens the skin. Tane, common also in Samoa and Tonga, leaves light pigmented spots on the affected parts of the body. These three forms of skin disease are treated in the same manner. The ringworm is first rubbed with coconut oil and then burned off with a wick made by chewing a piece of pandanus root to loosen the fibers and twisting it into a small rope after it has dried.

Sores that manifest themselves in yaws are sometimes cauterized by wicks, but usually they are scalded. A coconut shell cup with a small perforation at the base is filled with boiling water and placed over the sore. The hot water dropping on the sore reduces the inflammation.

For lung trouble in which the patient breathes rapidly and with difficulty, the upper abdomen is cauterized. Nine burns in three vertical rows are made under the ribs; the first between the base at the breast plate and the navel, and a row on each side. Each spot is cauterized twice. The doctor page 73 feels with the flat of his hand, and if the affliction appears to be deep in the chest, judged by the throbbing in the patient's back, cauterization is applied along the spine. The first burn is made just below the neck over the cervical vertebra, the second the width of four fingers below it, the third the same distance below the second. Cautery is applied at two points on either side of the juncture of the sacrum and lowest lumbar vertebra; one burn is made on the back of each knee and ankle. It is believed that an artery (ua) runs from the head to the foot and if the line of this is followed with cauterized spots, the flow of the ailment can be stopped.