FOR A HUNDRED DOLLARS. 83 



* 



hand once, gave a rude shock to my nerves, though it 

 did not bite. Tis said that salt and vinegar, or ammo 

 nia, are antidotes, placed upon the sting. As prevent 

 ives for bites of mosquitoes take tar and oil and smear 

 the face, and hands, though there is a feeling against 

 such a remedy. Ammonia is recommended, though of 

 little use. Fear of snakes is almost wholly groundless. 

 Though many varieties exist in Florida, there are but 

 two to be feared, the moccasin and rattlesnake. The 

 former is in great abundance in the swamps, though the 

 rattlesnake is not common. Both are exceedingly veno 

 mous, and their bites speedily prove fatal. There is lit 

 tle clanger to be apprehended, except from snakes in 

 the grass ; the danger being in stepping upon one un 

 awares. There are many remedies, which may be spoken 

 of in the next article, but the one surest in effect and 

 most generally in use is whiskey in large doses and soon 

 taken. This may account for the general and wide-spread 

 use of that article, as it is in great demand, and there 

 are many who believe that a pound of prevention is 

 worth an ounce of cure, and act accordingly. 



Healthfullness of the country is the first considera 

 tion. It has been abundantly and conclusively shown 

 that Florida is tolerably free from any endemic disease. 

 The climate of the coast is remarkably salubrious and 

 conducive to health. Except in the near vicinage of 

 swamps, and along the rivers and fresh-water lakes 

 in summer, there is no cause for alarm, and one can 

 preserve his health with tolerable care. A winter s resi 

 dence in any section of Florida is not likely to give one 

 what is so universally and justly dreaded the &quot;shakes.&quot; 

 I have camped in swamps and marshes night after night, 

 and passed weeks upon the banks of rivers and lakes, 



