.^2 J yV M A I C A. 



a rcoulnr dancino--bout perfifted in for a whole week, not intermitting 

 a finale night, without any ill conlequence to the parties concerned. 

 However, it is certainly more advifeable to ufe it in moderation; and, 

 thus ufcd, it will prove, in my humble opinion, a healthful recreation, 

 an excellent antidote to cares, and a happy promoter of nuptial unions. 

 The utility of bathing need not be inlifted on, where we find it 

 praftifed by the White and Negroe natives fo univerfally, and con- 

 ibntly. Frequent vvafhing the body with water, clcanfes the perfpira» 

 tory duiSts from that foulnefs that is continually falling upon them 

 from their own condenfed, dewy atmofphere; the middle of the day is 

 fitteft for this operation, in water which has been placed fome hours in 

 the fun-fhine, (b as to acquire a tolerable degree of warmth. The 

 Negroes wafli in the open rivers at that time, and find it moft whole- 

 fome, by experience ; they have a different opinion of cold-bathing\ and 

 indeed it feems not proper for this climate, except at a very early hour 

 before fun-rife, and in the cooler mountainous or Northfide parts, ra- 

 ther than the Southern : in the latter, I have known three or four fatal 

 accidents which have followed plunging in cold water in the heat of 

 the day- It fhould feem therefore more eligible to follow that ufage, 

 which experience fliews to be not only healthy, but ntcefi[ary to clean - 

 linefs, than to try experiments which have proved unfuitable to the 

 climate, and are condemned by the native inhabitants, whofe judge- 

 ment has originally been founded upon trials, of what cuftom was 

 hurtful, and what harmlefs. 



The influence of the pajjions upon health, has been the fubjeft of 

 many diflertations from medical pens; in this country it mull: operate 

 with double force, where men are move feelingly alive to joy or inquie- 

 tude; where the nervous fy ftem is far more irritable than in a North- 

 ern climate. Men of lively imaginations and great vivacity (and fuch 

 are the natives of this ifland) are more liable than others, to fudden and 

 violent emotions of the mind, and their effcfts ; fuch ftrong and fudden 

 tranfports may aftually throw men into acute difeales : but the flow 

 and durable paflions, folicitude, grief, ftifled refentment, and vexation, 

 are more often dangerous and mortal. Thefe confuming enemies to 

 health difturb the functions of the ftomach, and vitiate its juices, fo 

 that no wholefome chyle or nourifhment can enter the blood ; the pa- 

 tient languiflies under a bad habit of body, contradled from this caufe, 

 2 pines 



