52 MANUAL OF THE NiLAGTRI DISTRICT. 



CHAP. IV, times shifting to tlie north, south, or east. Their mean direction, 



PART II. however, is from a point about north-east. 

 Phys'ical and The months of April and May are the hottest in the year. 

 Medical The thermometer in the higher station of Ootacamand, however, 

 Cli matk, & c. ggij^Qj^ ranges about 70° F. in the shade, although, when exposed 

 Hot season, to the direct rays of the sun, it will sometitnes rise to 120'' or 

 even more. From the time that the heavy rains set in in the 

 early part of June, there is a marked improvement in the public 

 health. 

 Sonth-west i^ the early part of June the wind sets in steadily from the 

 monsoon. ^gg^^ qj. ^est by north, and, soon becoming intensified, is accom- 

 panied with electrical disturbances and heavy showers. 



For some days before the setting in of this monsoon heavy 

 banks of clouds are to be observed in the direction of the 

 KiAndas, and on these is expended its first violence. 



During the south-west monsoon, which usually prevails until 

 the early pai't of October, much rain falls, and the air is 

 generally saturated with moisture. The hills become quickly 

 covered with luxuriant grasses and the forest trees put forth 

 their fresh leaves. During the months of August and September 

 breaks, as they are called, occur. The mists clear off, and the 

 sun shines forth for several days successively. The scenery, 

 usually beautiful, is now surpassingly so, the undulating ground 

 of the whole plateau being clothed with verdure of peculiar 

 richness. This season is usually considered to be the most 

 salubrious period of the year, and Europeans who have resided 

 for any length of time upon the Hills, and judge of the climate 

 by experience, invariably prefer the rainy season to any other. 

 Effects of The effects of the climate on the prevalence of diseases during 



climate on the (J- gg^,gj^l^ seasons of the year are more or less remarkable, 

 disease."^*^^ ° During the early months, from December until April, affections 

 of the respiratory organs, including catarrhs and whooping- 

 couo-h, are very prevalent. Neuralgia and affections of the throat 

 are also very common. During the months of March, April, and 

 May diarrhoea, derangements of the hepatic functions, and 

 sometimes fevers of an intermittent character are met with. 

 These latter months may be considered the most unhealthy part 

 of the year. The occasional showers which fall during these 

 months, owing to their washing off surface impurities and 

 replenishing the springs, are often looked forward to with anxiety 

 as harbingers of an improved state of the public health. It may 

 be remarked that at this season visitors with their followers 

 ai'rive in great numbers, and some of the apparent unhealthiness 

 is due to sickness induced by a sudden transition from the plains. 

 Hygienic Most illnesses which the medical man is called upon to treat at 



"ui.Hnce'o/ Ootacamand are due to individual imprudence. How important 

 visitors. theu is it that the visitor in quest of health or relaxation should 



