542 TROPICAL HYGIENE, SANITATION, ETC. 



Take an hour's rest during the hottest part of the day. 



Food should be well cooked, excess of meat and fat avoided, fresh 

 fruits, salads and vegetables should be sought after and substituted 

 for the salted meat and rum of olden days. The effects from over 

 indulgence of alcohol are m^u'ked. 



If possible, it is advisable to spend the hottest months at a greater 

 elevation. The next best thing is to use fans and punkahs to avoid 

 heat debility. 



Cholera bells are not necessary for healtliy individuals, and to such 

 are often a source of discomfort A\hen worn. 



It is absolutely essential to protect oneself from the sun's rays. 



The measures to be adopted are as follows : — 



Wear a light, well-ventilated pith or rubber helmet or topee with 

 a broad brim and a prolongation for the neck. A white covering is 

 best as it reflects the heat, but does n<3t absorb it. The helmet may 

 transmit chemical rays, and hence it is best that it should be lined 

 with coloured material. 



For those stooping at their work spine-pads are essential. 



Broad verandahs should be added to all buildings. 



Reflection of tlie sun's rays from the floors must be avoided. 



There should be ventilated ceilings to all dwellings. 



The roads should be shaded with trees having spreading branches. 



Plots of green grass will prevent the glare from the sun. 



Alcohol is the most predisposing cause of sunstroke. 



Smoked glasses are very comforting from the glare. The_y will 

 often prevent the onset of troublesome eye symptoms. 



EPIDEMIOLOGY. 



Communicable diseases may manifest themselves in one of four 

 ways when one of the following terms is applied to it : — 



(1) Sporadic. 



A disease is sporadic when cases occur singly or in small groups 

 in scattered communities, e.g., typhoid fever, undulant fever, &c. 

 Such sporadic cases may precede endemic or epidemic manifestations, 

 and should always be closelv watched and controlled. 



A sporadic disease may at certain times and places become 

 endemic, epidemic and sometimes pandemic, such as undulant and 

 typhoid fever. The divisions are purely arbitrary. 



(2) Endemic. 



A disease is endemic A\hen the cases attach themselves more or less 

 to a certain district or localitv, e.g., cholera in the delta of the Ganges; 

 leprosy in parts of Norway, &c. 



