EUCALYPTUS NEAR ROME. 29 



once was, for many thousands. Still we should not expect 

 this to occur if the inhabitants were obliged to take tincture 

 of Eucalyptus-lesives very frequently ; indeed the use of 

 the tincture is itself an objection to the experiment. The 

 difficulty into which Sir Samuel and Lady Baker got when 

 detained in Africa was aggravated by fever of a marsh kind, 

 but seems to have been entirely removed when they used 

 the spirit from the sweet potato. The fever was not a 

 severe one; but the fact injures to some extent the 

 experiment at Tre Fontane. 



If, however, we look to other countries, we are informed 

 that the tree itself, with its exhalation, is quite sufficient to 

 render a district healthy; and it is perfectly certain that if 

 the oil is efficacious (and the evidence gives faith) , those 

 who live near must be continually taking in doses which 

 must soon equal in amount that usually given as a cure : 

 they must, in fact, be living in a constant vapour of this 

 healing oil. In order to produce this condition, the houses 

 must be surrounded with the trees ; and every wind will 

 then blow its measure of health. At Tre Fontane this is 

 not attempted ; and although more ground has been pro- 

 mised the monks, it is not promised to extend on every 

 side so that they may manage to be surrounded. 



In speaking of the subject, it of course occurs to ask. Is 

 it really certain that this tree will destroy the malaria ? and, 

 in any case, will the expense be a most alarming one ? 

 Can any one venture, then, on giving advice on the subject? 

 This last is the very point which I look on as so clear. 

 I do not pretend to give from my own experience any in- 

 formation on the curative powers of the oil ; but I have read 

 enough on the subject to satisfy me that the character given 

 to the plant is well founded. A brochure by Dr. Carlotti^, 



* Assainissement des regions chaudes insalubres par Kegulus Carlotti 

 (Ajaccio, 1876). 



