Hasf.man : KxPKDiTioN TO Cknirai. South Amkkica. 297 



The Elements of Personal Risk in Collectinc; in the Tropics. 



Fishing in South America is I)y far the most dangerous of all forms 

 of scientific exploration. In addition to the dangers besetting the 

 collector on land the fisherman is in danger of drowning, stepping on 

 a sting-ray, getting into contact with an electric eel, getting bitten 

 by Piranhas, Palometes, and Candirus, or being carried off by either a 

 large anaconda, or caiman. Besides all of these dangers one has to 

 pass his time in regions which are, as a rule, infested with all kinds 

 of biting gnats, mosquitoes, flies, ants, and ticks. One must paddle 

 about in rivers the margins of which are always laden willi all kinds 

 of tropical diseases. 



In order to maintain good hcaltli in the tropics my advice would 

 be to eat anything you can get, whenever you can get it, and as much 

 as you crave, especially fruits, vegetables, and lean meat, avoiding 

 fats. Keep hard at work. Eternal vigilance is the price of a good 

 collection. Always sleep under a mosquito-bar, and go to bed early, 

 thereby getting a good rest and taking few^ chances of being bitten 

 by mosquitoes. Black coffee is a much better beverage than alcoholic 

 drinks. I learned to smoke and think I was the better for it, because 

 tobacco soothes the mind and drives away many of the annoying in- 

 sects. I advise against taking quinine daily, but rather recommend 

 the injection of liquid ciuininc when the fever comes. I tcjok frequent 

 baths and did not shave. Wounds heal up more quickly in the tropics 

 than in temperate regions if the sunlight has access to them. It 

 is best to keep the stomach slightly acid and a calomel purge should 

 be used as soon as there are any signs of indigestion. If the stomach 

 can be kept normal there is no danger of sickness. It is not absolutely 

 necessary to boil or filter drinking water. I am thoroughly convinced 

 that the temperament of the individual has a great deal to do with 

 health in the tropics. Ever-changing activities and a variety of 

 interests tend to produce a frame of mind which is hostile to disease. 

 Calmness in the face of grave danger is indispensable. Worry and 

 fretfulness should be banished. Great faith should be put in one's 

 own arms, legs, and head. I am well aware that few are able to 

 endure the hardships encountered in long journeys away from the 

 beaten path in any climate, but my only trouble at any time while 

 traveling in Brazil arose from the occasional difficulty of getting 

 something to eat. I feel sure that most of the deaths of travelers 

 in the tropics result either from inexcusable ignorance or from un- 

 necessarv fear. 



