BOOK III. CHAP. VT. 511 



In fuch low fpots, even in this climate, the chili and denfity of the 

 air is fuch, as to render the breath vifible early in the morning, a cir- 

 cumftance which is not ob(erved in other parts of the lowlands. 



Unwholefome fogs in Jamaica are, fuch as emanate from Ingoons 

 and marfliy foils ; but they are not common. The fogs of Sixteen- 

 mile-malk, and fome other places among the mountains, are not un- 

 healthy, nor have they any ill fmell. Thofe who inhabit plates where 

 fait or unwholefome marfhes are formed by frequent Inundations of 

 the fea, or where the (hores are lined with (linking ooze or mud, 

 and aquatic plants of a noxious quality, ought, during the fickly fea- 

 fbns, to retire into the country at fome diftance. The fafell retreats 

 are to be found on the fides of hills or mountains, where there 

 are no moradcs within three miles ; preferring alfo thofe fituations 

 which are not affedled by vapours fpringing from the circumjacent 

 valleys, at leaft in their perpendicular afcent. Experience confirms 

 the faft, that in fuch elevated fituations, where the foil is dry, and 

 clear from wood and ftagnant water, Europeans enjoy good health, 

 in the very hotteft climates, during all leafons of the year: but, 

 if perfons will obllinatcly run the hazard of their life and health, by 

 remaining all night, or deeping in unhealthy places, they cannot ex- 

 pedt to reap the beneS.t of fafety and fecurity from a healthy air in 

 their neighbourhood. 



In every iflnnd, perhaps, fuch afylums may be found, where the 

 air proves healthy, and reftorative to European conftitutions. 



The iflaud of Dominica is in mod places woody and unhealthy j. 

 yet there were feveral French families in it, who, by fixing their re- 

 lidence on the fides of hills, lived exempted fron:i the attack of 

 agues and fevers, the difeafes common there ; and thus enjoyed as 

 good a flate of health and conftitution, as if they hadbeen in P'rance, 



The bell fituation for a change is, where the heat of the dayiel- 

 dom exceeds 70 on Fahrenheit's thermometer, and where the cold 

 pf the night is not more than 16 degrees lower on the fame fcale, 



" ourfelves or fervants receptive of additional water from potids or rivers; for I have obferved 

 •* it matter of failj where fuch care hath been oinixted, more lives than ell'evvhere have been 

 *' flooded into S(yx. Belides its great prefei-v^tion in this refpeft, a dry lodging, nmoveJ at Uq/i 

 " one Jfoty from the ground, is approved the bell fecurity of our white ferrants ; as lor the Negroes, 

 ♦• though their lodging be ne.ir the ground, they force off the moifttire of the earth by their con- 

 «» iiunt fires, and. thereby become healthy." r. 27. ^ 



