Rules for

regulation of food.

of the indigent and slovenly, which are so frequently connected with or dependent on irregularity or suppression of the cuticular discharge. But though this is true, by the injudicious, nay, injurious habits, of too frequent change of linen in a tropical climate, the fluids on the surface of the body, already in excess, are thus powerfully solicited, and the action of the perspiratory vessels, with all their associations, morbidly increased, instead of being restrained."-Sir J. R. Martin, "Influence of Tropical Climates," &c.

11. When caught in a rain, and the linen becomes wet and damp, it should be immediately changed, and the body sponged with hot water and vinegar or lime juice.

12. In places where dysentery or diarrhoea is prevalent, a cotton or flannel waistband should be worn, especially at night, to keep the bowels from sudden impression of cold.

II.-FOOD.

As it is necessary to change the food when one resides in the polar regions, so as to increase the heat of the body, so it is necessary, when we attempt to reside in a tropical climate, to moderate the quantity and select the quality of our food. Since the heat predisposes to congestion and the development of febrile excitement, we should so regulate our diet as to moderate the former, whilst at the same time we neutralise the latter. 1. Before getting out of bed, or before going out of doors, a cup of tea, coffee, or chocolate should be taken.

2. The breakfast and dinner hours should be stated and regularly kept.

3. At breakfast the viands should be very simple and plain, especially amongst first arrivals, consisting of eggs, either plain boiled or poached, a little fish, unbuttered bread, and tea or coffee.

4. If the dinner be late, at a little after noon, about two o'clock, a little bread and butter might be taken, with a glass of beer (or porter preferable), or still better, draught ale. A glass of sherry or port might be taken for a change.

5. The dinner should be at about four, or half-past four; but when this is inconvenient, it should not be later than seven o'clock. It should be the principal meal, and should not be too heavy, in order to ensure a natural and refreshing rest.

6. Suppers ought always to be avoided in the tropics, where a good rest at night is essential for the preservation of the health and vigour of the mind and body.

8. When dinner is taken early, tea or coffee should be taken at seven or eight, and will be very much relished.

9. Excess in eating and drinking should be particularly avoided; excess will be known by a general feverish sensation after the meal. Dr Clark truly states that much of the suffering of the Europeans on the Gold Coast is occasioned by overfeeding.

10. The sub-acid fruits, such as oranges, pine apples, and grenadillas, will be found very agreeable and refreshing. But the European on his first arrival should carefully watch the effects of the various delightful tropical fruits which he eats, as they act differently on different constitutions. He should gradually select those which are suitable to him. Thus the mangrove is said to be stimulating and heating, and might, in an unseasoned European, bring out pustular eruptions or boils; the plantain, even when ripe, is astringent, and consequently not well adapted for those who are habitually constipated. Oranges (sweet) are always wholesome taken in the morning or afternoon, and so is the banana. In a previous chapter I have described fully the fruits found in intertropical Western Africa.

11. Unripe fruits should be avoided, especially in places. where dysentery and diarrhoea or cholera is rife.

12. Condiments or spice should not be used by new comers in the tropics; they should not force their stomach, with an already good appetite, to increased and unnecessary action. When, however, by long residence the tone of the general constitution. and of the stomach begins to fail, then their use will be beneficial.

General observations.

III.-DRINK.

It is a physiological fact that a man in good health does not require the use of wine or spirits, or any stimulating liquor. It produces no beneficial result in his constitution, and in the tropics acts rather injuriously, even in small quantity, by increasing that febrile state of excitement which is the consequence of the heated atmosphere. Indeed" during the first two years of residence, at least, the nearer we approach to a perfect aqueous regimen in drink, so much the better chance have we of avoiding sickness, and the more slowly and gradually we deviate from this afterwards, so much the more retentive will we be of that invaluable blessing HEALTH." It has become the habit of some men in the tropics, on opening their eyes in the morning, to have a "good stiff shot of brandy" the first thing before rising; and I have seen cases where a bottle of brandy has been nearly consumed before breakfast. Nothing is so injurious to the constitution as this habit. It does not at all satisfy the thirst, but leaves a desperate degree of craving for the bottle-the bottle, which, in many cases, never ends until delirium tremens supervenes.

Sir R. Martin has given a most instructive example of the different effects of aqueous and spirituous drinks and liquors in increasing or decreasing the thirst, which we will here quote in extensio, as it may prove beneficial to many who have made up their minds to reside in the tropics:

"We will suppose two gentlemen to be sitting in a room, in the East or West Indies, just before the setting in of the sea breeze, both complaining of thirst, their skin hot, and the temperature of their bodies 100°, or two degrees above the natural standard. One of them, pursuant to the instructions of Dr Currie, who never was in a tropical climate, applies to the negus, beer, or brandy-and-water cup, and after a draught or two, brings out a copious perspiration, which soon reduces the temperature to 98°. It will not stop here, however, nor will the gentleman, according to the plan proposed; for instead of

putting the bulb of the thermometer under his tongue to see if the mercury is low enough, feeling his thirst increased by the perspiration, he very naturally prefers a glass or two more of the same stimulating draught, 'to support the discharge'— still, however, ' stopping short of intoxication.' Now, by these means the temperature is reduced to 97° or 96, in which state even the slight, and otherwise refreshing chill of the seabreeze checks more or less the cuticular discharge, and paves the way for future maladies.

"Let us now return to the other gentleman, who pursues a different line of conduct. Instead of the more palatable and stimulating drinks he takes a draught of plain cold water. This is hardly swallowed before the temperature of the body loses, by abstraction alone, one degree of heat at least. But the external surface of the body, immediately sympathising with the internal surface of the stomach, relaxes, and a mild perspiration breaks out which reduces the temperature to its natural standard, 98°. This simultaneous relaxation of the two surfaces completely removes the disagreeable sensation of thirst; and as the simple antediluvian beverage' does not possess many circean charms for modern palates, there will not be the slightest danger of its being abused in quantity, or of the perspiratory process being carried beyond its salutary limits. Nor need we apprehend its being neglected, since from the moment that the skin begins to be constricted, or morbid heat to accumulate, the sympathising stomach and fauces will not fail again to warn us, by craving the proper remedy."

regulation of

1. New arrivals in the tropics should refrain as long as pos- Rules for sible from all heating drinks, especially in places where good drink. water can be obtained.

2. If not subject to constipation, cold tea will be found agreeable and refreshing.

3. Where vegetables are not plentiful, weak lemon juice is necessary now and then; when taken in the afternoon it diffuses a coolness all over the body.

Rules for regulation of exercise.

4. Sherbet will be found salutary, and any quantity may be taken, as it is wholesome and grateful.

5. Any quantity of ice might be taken; it is not only agreeable and salutary, but it revives the spirits, strengthens the body, and assists digestion.

6. When aqueous regimen cannot be kept, the best and lightest wine that could be safely used is good claret (and water).

7. For those of weak constitution a glass of porter in the afternoon is very strengthening, and in the tropics is better than bottled ale.

8. Brandy is unnecessary; it increases the febrile excitement of the body to a marked degree, which is followed by a corresponding depression of the vital functions. It should only be used when prescribed by the medical attendant.

9. When, after long exercise before dinner, or hard bodily exercise, it is found on sitting at table that the appetite is gone, take a glass of sherry and bitters, and this will excite the action of the stomach.

10. Warm tea or coffee after severe marches in the sun will be found a refreshing beverage (Martin).

11. A newly arrived European in the tropics should never attempt to imitate the old residents in the use of the magic bowl. He must always consider, that what the old topers can take with seeming advantage, will prove death to him.

12. During seasoning, when a course of temperance has been fully entered on, under no consideration must an occasional debauch be committed, as the system is very much subject to endemic and epidemic tropical diseases (Martin).

IV.-EXERCISE.

Exercise, to the extent in which it is taken in a temperate climate, is here to be avoided, as it will soon prove injurious to the constitution. The object of exercise in a cold climate is to keep up a just balance of the circulation, to support and maintain the function of the skin, and to promote the different