Chap. VH.] NEUERA-ELLIA. '263 



Avitli the renewal of strength, tlie pallor of the features 

 disappears, and after a few weeks of outdoor excitement 

 the visitor returns to the coast with a complexion as 

 clear as if freshly imported from Europe. 



But whilst thus adapted to the preservation of health, 

 and to the stage of weakness consequent on the suljsi- 

 dence of disease, Neuera-ellia, as a sanatarium, is httle 

 to be relied on for the rehef of active ailments, especially 

 such as are incident to the island. Deran2:ements of 

 the liver and internal orojans are hkely to be aii'fjra- 

 vated there by congestion, and the diminution of that 

 quietude which is essential to the work of reparation ; 

 and in affections of the luno's there is an increase of 



o 



uneasmess in the chest from breathing such highly rarefied 

 air. 



Only one class of sufferers seem to derive a relief 

 at once rapid and effectual, — those Avith cutaneous 

 abrasions or ulcerations by leech-bites. These "w^oiuids in 

 the low country are sluggish and slow to heal, but in 

 the tonic air of the mountain they quickly close, to the 

 surprise of the patient, and almost without the inter- 

 vention of surgical skill. 



But however hmited its sanative effects, the blessina: 

 with which Providence has endowed the island, in placing 

 such a climate within reach of the sultry coast, has never 

 been duly estimated by Europeans, nor availed of as 

 a i)reventive against the approaches of disease. By the 

 mihtary, especially, its value has been inadequately ap- 

 preciated as a propliylactic. Soldiers are only allowed 

 to visit it after becoming pronounced invalids : when 

 health miglit have been preserved comparatively unim- 

 paired, had they been sent there as a precaution, on 

 the earhest symptom of that exhaustion and debility 

 which ordinarily prelude a.ctual seiziure. After the at- 

 tack has subsided the influence of the plain on conva- 

 lescents is something magical ; and in cases of fever no 

 effort should l)e spared to enable the patient to reach 

 it. Instances have occun'cd in wliich it might be appre- 



b 4 



