)se 



128 TEINIDAD. 



Nearly the whole surface of Trinidad may be said to be 

 covered with virgin forests ; many swamps, formed by an ad- 

 mixture of fresh with salt water, exist all along the island 

 shores, particularly on the western coast. The average quantity 

 of rain which falls throughout the year may be estimated at 

 70 inches; the mean annual temperature 81°. The climate 

 may thus be classed as at the same time humid and warm, and, 

 consequently, highly debilitating ; certain precautions, therefore, 

 become necessary to counteract the effects of such a temperature 

 on the general constitution. 



Persons coming to Trinidad may avoid, to a certain extent, 

 the diseases resulting from the climate, and become acclimatised 

 or seasoned, as it is said, by submitting to a few rules deducible 

 from the foregoing considerations. The climate being both 

 warm and humid, such rules must be a combination of those 

 which are respectively applicable to a warm, and to a hum 

 climate. 



Diet. — It is, in my opinion, of great importance that 

 preconceived system with respect to diet should be assumed 

 enforced ; and I regard as a great mistake the adoption of, and 

 submission to, certain theoretical dietetic prescriptions, without 

 due preparation or gradual transition. The best plan is, as far 

 as practicable, to follow one's previous regimen, if found to have 

 agreed with the constitution, and, by degrees, to substitute those 

 changes or modifications which observation may suggest, or 

 experience sanction. 



The almost exclusive use of vegetable food is, by some 

 hygienists, strongly recommended to persons inhabiting a warm 

 climate. Such a diet may suit an exclusively warm climate, and 

 be acceptable to those individuals who spend their time in the dolce 

 far niente, and enjoy a long siesta during the mid-day heat ; but 

 individuals living in damp localities, and leading an active life, 

 would soon become enfeebled and invalided by indulging in a 

 purely vegetable diet. In such a climate, and with such habits, 

 I consider the use of animal food, and particularly of fresh meal 

 as even amounting to a necessity. This observation is al 

 applicable to the inconsiderate use of fruits, encouraged by t 

 same parties. Not that I consider fruits, in their own nat 

 unwholesome ; for the poorest classes here, at certain seasons 

 the year, live almost exclusively on mangoes, avocado pea: 



