HYGIENE OF COLLECTORSHIP. 19 



HYGIENE OF COLLECTORSHIP. 



It is Unnecessary to speak of the Healthfulness of a pursuit that, like the collectoi*'s 

 occupation, demands regular bodily exercise, and at the same time stimulates the mind by 

 supjjlying an object, thus caUing the whole system into exhilarating action. Yet collecting 

 has its perils, not to be overlooked if we would adequately guard against them, as fortunately 

 we may, in most cases, by simple precautions. The dangers of taxidermy itself are elsewhere 

 noticed ; but, besides these, the collector is exposed to vicissitudes of the weather, may endure 

 great fatigue, may breathe miasm, and may be mechanically injured. 



Accidents from the Gun have been already treated ; a few special rules will render 

 others little liable to occur. The secret of safe climbing is never to relax one hold until another 

 is secured ; it is in spirit equally applicable to scrambling over rocks, a particularly difficult 

 thing to do safely with a loaded gun. Test rotten, slippery, or otherwise suspicious holds 

 before trusting them. In lifting the body up anywhere, keep the mouth shut, breathe 

 through the nostrils, and go slowly. In swimming, waste no strength unnecessarily in trying 

 to stem a current ; yield partly, and land obliquely lower down ; if exhausted, float ; the 

 slightest motion of the hands will ordinarily keep the face above water ; and in any event keep 

 your wits collected. In fording deeply, a heavy stone will strengthen your position. Never 

 sail a boat experimentally ; if you are no sailor, take one with you or stay on land. In cross- 

 ing a high, narrow footpath, never look lower than your feet ; the muscles will work true if 

 not confused with faltering instructions from a giddy brain. On soft ground, see what, if 

 anything, has preceded you; large hoof-marks generally mean that the way is safe; if none 

 are found, inquire for yourself before going on. Quicksand is the most treacherous, because 

 far more dangerous than it looks ; but I have seen a mule's ears finally disappear in genuine 

 mud. Cattle paths, however erratic, commonly prove the surest way out of a difficult place, 

 whether of uncertain footing or dense undergrowth. 



Miasm. — Unguarded exposure in malarious regions usually entails sickness, often pre- 

 ventable, however, by due precautions. It is worth knowing, in the first place, that miasmatic 

 poison is most powerful between sunset and sunrise ; more exactly, from the damp of the 

 evening until night vapors are dissipated ; we may be out in the daytime with comparative 

 impunity, where to pass a night would be almost certain disease. If forced to camp out, seek 

 the highest and dryest spot, put a good fire on the swamp side, and also, if possible, let trees 

 intervene. Never go out on an empty stomach ; just a cup of cofiee and a crust may make a 

 decided difference. Meet the earliest unfavorable symptoms with quinine ; I should rather say, 

 if unacclimated, anticipate them with tliis invaluable agent. Endeavor to maintain high 

 health of all functions by the natural means oi regularity and temperance in diet, exercise, and 

 repose. 



" Taking Cold." — This vague " household word " indicates one or more of a long varied 

 train of unpleasant affections, nearly always traceable to one or the other of only two causes : 

 sudden change of temperature, and unequal distribution of temperature. No extremes of heat 

 or cold can alone effect this result; persons frozen to death do not "take cold "during the 

 process. But if a part of the body be rapidly cooled, as by evaporation fi'om a wet article of 

 clothing, or by sitting in a draught of air, the rest of the body remaining at an ordinary tem- 

 perature ; or if the temperature of the whole be suddenly changed by going out into the cold, 

 or, especially, by coming into a warm room, there is much liability of trouble. There is an 

 old saying, — 



" Wlien the air comes through a hole 

 Say your prayers to save your soul;" 



