CAGOTS, Ica-a, a race or caste of men, living in the south of France in the region of the Pyrenees, regarded as pariahs or social outcasts. In former ages they were shut out from society as lepers, cursed as heretics and abhorred as cannibals; their feet were bored with an iron, and they were forced to wear a piece of red cloth in the shape of a duck's foot on their clothes by way of distinction. The only trade they were allowed to follow was that of sawyers or carpenters. They had to enter the church by a special door, and had a special corner set apart for them with a holy-water vessel for themselves. Opinions are divided with regard to the origin of the Cagots, of whom there are now comparatively few. They have been considered by some to be remains of the Saracens conquered by Charles Martel. The most plausible conjec ture is that which derives them from the Visigoths who established themselves in the south of France and in Spain in the 5th century. The origin of the name has been the
subject of equal controversy. Among nu merous derivations, is that from cants and gothus, "dogs of Goths.) Others derive the name from a word simply meaning leper, and believe that the Cagots were originally lepers, who as such were expelled from the society of and intercourse with their fellowmen. Several diseases and deformities, doubtless due to inbreeding, are common among them, such as cretinism (q.v.), etc. Until the French Revolution the Cagots were not considered citizens. Some remains of them, or of corresponding outcasts. are to be found under various names in different parts of France. Their language is a jargon' of neigh borhood dialects with some original forms. Similar remains are also found among the mountains of North Spain. Consult Michel, 'Histoire des races maudites de la France et de l'Espagne.'