MANUAL OF T,'HE nIlAGIRI DISTRICT. 55 



that others should have the chill taken off it. With young CHAP. IV, 

 children and elderly people a warm or tepid bath will suit PART li. 

 better. Reaction should always take place after a cold bath ; physical and 

 should it not take place^ it may generally be regarded as a sign Medical 



that cold bathing is unsuitable and should be discontinued. L 



This term reaction merely implies that the blood which has been 

 driven from the surface has returned as shown by a glow of 

 superficial warmth which is experienced, and the redness imparted 

 to the previously pale surface. If, after immersion in warm water, 

 and whilst standing in the bath, a few vessels of cold water be 

 poured over the sui-face of the body, a feeling of reaction will be 

 experienced shortly after even by persons of delicate constitution. 

 This is an excellent mode of bathing for all who shrink from, 

 or who feel doubtful of, salutary reaction from the use of cold 

 water. The following rules as to bathing should be observed : — 

 Never to bathe in cold water within two hours after a meal, or 

 when exhausted from fatigue or any other cause, or when the 

 body is cooling after perspiration. 



Those accustomed to the use of stimulants on the plains may Use of 

 generally continue to use them but in diminished quantities, s^'"''^^^^*^- 

 They are seldom necessary for health in this climate, except for 

 some invalids, and many people give them up altogether with 

 advantage. Light sound claret with water or sodawater will be 

 found a suitable beverage for most people. 



Stimulating food and hot-seasoned dishes had better be Eemarks on 

 eschewed by the invalid. They are unnecessary, and often injuri- ^'®*^' ^^^^^^^^^ 

 ous. Early dinners are recommended. Unripe peaches, mush- 

 rooms, and improperly-fed pork, sometimes brought about for sale, 

 are unsafe articles of consumption. Visitors from the plains often 

 crave for a vegetable diet on first arrival, and the abundance of 

 delicious vegetables here produced enables them to gratify their 

 taste in this respect. They should be well cooked and eaten 

 with moderation. 



The houses in these hill stations are usually placed upon the On the 

 summits of minor spurs or ridges, but some are located on sites a^^ouse" °^ 

 excavated on the sides of some of the larger undulations, and are 

 consequently backed by a steep cutting. When possible, a 

 preference should always be given to the former and for the 

 following obvious reasons : being placed relatively at a higher 

 elevation to the soil, they are drier, the air is purer, and the 

 drainage is more perfect ; whilst, being more fully exposed to the 

 morning and afternoon sun, they are generally speaking warmer. 

 Houses situated near the lower part of the valleys in sheltered 

 situations are, owing to the greater radiation, colder, and, being 

 exposed to dew and fog, are comparatively damp during the rainy 

 seasons. Sleeping rooms are usually badly ventilated, but a little 

 fire wire-gauze, or finely-perforated zinc placed in the upper 



