TREATMENT OF SEA-SICK PATIENTS. 39 



How entirely our nervous systems are under the 

 influence of habit receives a good illustration, by the 

 delicate becoming quickly accustomed in most cases 

 to the stormy ocean, and ceasing to think of his sea- 

 sickness, or to suffer from it. So again on landing, 

 after many days at sea, it is no imagination to say 

 that one requires to look to one's "land legs." The 

 earth at first seems to rock to and fro under the feet, 

 in the most extraordinary way; so that after a spell 

 of bad weather we have many times felt quite ashamed, 

 when first attempting to walk along the streets, for 

 fear people should notice any unsteadiness of gait, and 

 put it down to a different cause. The sensation, how- 

 ever, disappears after a few hours. But its presence 

 denotes how entirely, unconsciously to themselves, men 

 become habituated to the heaving of the seas, and 

 actually feel uncomfortable when they return to terra 

 firma again. 



Then as regards the restorative effect of the ocean 

 breezes, after illness or overwork, that is long since a 

 well-ascertained fact; but to obtain the maximum of 

 benefit from a trip, it is of course of great importance 

 to be well fed and well lodged. A sea-sick invalid 

 confined to a crowded, stuffy, and perhaps dirty cabin, 

 and fed on badly prepared food, besides being exposed 

 to unpleasant noises and vibration, or unsavoury odours, 

 cannot expect to reap the benefits of sea-life. These 

 things used to be common, and on the less well 

 appointed ships are by no means extinct even now. 

 Care in the selection of ships and accommodation is 

 therefore always most necessary to ensure comfort. 

 But where proper care is exercised, one of the greatest 

 and most efficient of all medicines is a long sea-voyage ; 



