BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 5i3 



the men of war, lying at a mile's diftance from the town, enjoyed 

 the raofl perfect health ; and fuch patients, who, after their being 

 feized with the fever on fliore, were carried on board fhip, prefently 

 recovered; the difordcr, by change of air, foon loft its alarming 

 iymptoms, and was eafil}' fubdued ; nothing is more certain, than 

 that the fea air, and fea breezes, in this part of the world, are fpeci-. 

 fics for the removal of malignant diforders contra£led from a vitiated 

 atmofphere on the land. I fliall now apply thefe remarks more 

 particularly tojamaica. The lituation of Spani(h Town is liealthy ; 

 it has no marfhes about or near it ; and the rain water that falls 

 upon it is drained into the river by a pretty rapid defcetit. Nothing 

 more is needful to preferve this natural falubrity of its air, than a 

 well-regulated police, under the controul of the magiflrates, who 

 fhould provide, that the flreets and environs be kept clear from 

 filth, and all putrid fubftances, which might breed annoyance. The 

 air of all the Tropical countries is moft impure, immediately before 

 and after the periodical feafons; and, at fuch times, the greater cau- 

 tion m.uft be ufed to avoid catching colds, which may produce in- 

 termittent, or fometimes remittent, fevers. At fuch times, or when 

 any epidemic dlftempcr of a contagious nature is by accident brought 

 into the town, the adjacent hills afford a convenient and fecure retreat. 

 The town of Port Royal, being ahnoft furrounded with the fea 

 water, is juftly commended for the falubrity of its air, a certain 

 proof of which is the longevity of its conftant inhabitants. 



The town of Kingfton, lying on a gravely flope, and open to 

 the fea breeze, would probably be a healthy place, if it was not ex- 

 pofed to infedtious diforders, brought into it from the fhipping; yet, 

 when any fuch malady begins to rage, the fick might always find 

 a falutary retreat among the Liguanea Hills. I have already fpoken 

 of the barrack at Stoney Ridge, in St. Andrew's ; the neighbourhood 

 of this place would doubtlefs be very well adapted for a retreat from 

 contagion, or for the recovery of convalefcents ; nor might it be 

 a lofing projeft perhaps for a builder to purchafe land here, and 

 ere6l a certain number of commodious houfes, to be lett for this 

 purpofe. Society might allure thofe to try the experiment, who 

 would otKerwife be averfe to.it, from a diflike to folitude ; and, in- 

 deed, nothing more alleviates the diftrefs and dejedion incident to 



Vol. II. U u u fevers 



