43 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



For this reafon, if you are well, deluge yourfelf from 

 head to foot, even in the houfe, where water is plenty, by di- 

 recting a fervant to throw buckets upon you at leaft once 

 a-day when you are hotteft; not from any imagination that 

 the water braces you, as it is called, for your bracing will 

 laft you only a very few minutes ; but thefe copious inun- 

 dations will carry watery particles into your blood, though 

 not equal to bathing in running ftreams, where the total 

 immerfion, the motion of the water, and the action of the 

 limbs, all confpire to the benefit you are in queft of. As to 

 cold water bracing in thefe climates, I am perfuaded it is an 

 idea not founded in truth. By obfervation it has appeared 

 often to me, that, when heated by violent exercife, I have 

 been much more relieved, and my ftrength more complete- 

 ly reflored by the ufe of a tepid bath, than by an equal time 

 palled in a cold one. 



Do not fatigue yourfelf if poflible. Exercife is not ei- 

 ther fo neceflary or falutary here as in Europe. Ufe fruits 

 fparingly, efpecially if too ripe. The mufa, or banana, in 

 ArabiaFelix, are always rotten-ripe when they are brought to 

 you. Avoid all fort of fruit expofed forfale in the markets, 

 as it has probably been gathered in the fun, and carried 

 miles in it, and all its juices are in a ftate of fermentation. 

 Lay it firft upon a table covered with a coarfe cloth, and 

 throw frequently a quantity of water upon it ; and, if you 

 have an opportunity, gather it in the dew of the morning 

 before dawn of day, for that is far better. 



Rice and pillaw are the bell food ; fowls are very bad, 

 eggs are worfe ; greens are not wholefome. In Arabia the 

 mutton is good, and, when roalted, may be eaten warm with 



3 fafety ; 



