MANUAL OF THE NILAGIKI DISTRICT. 59 



latter sometimes terminates in pneumonia or inflammation of the CHAP. IV, 

 lungs. Europeans do not suffer from these diseases to the same PART II, 

 extent as the Natives^ and doubtless these diseases are for the puysicaland 

 most part induced by exposure to cold with unsuitable clothing. Medical 



impure drinking water, and bad food. Visitors should therefore ^ '_ 



he careful that their servants are suitably clothed and housed, 

 and it is of equal importance that they should not be allowed to 

 sleep upon the ground, a common practice with many of them. 

 The sickness and mortality which affects the class of Natives 

 who visit the Hills to obtain employment on the various coffee 

 estates is very great. During the cold season many of these 

 travellers perish from cold and starvation, whilst others suffering 

 from fever or diarrhoea through neglect and exposure fall victims 

 to more serious diseases. 



On the Nilagiri table-land we have a climate essentially tern- Cases of 

 perate, and one which experience tells us is capable of conferring Jj^Jlf^^e most 

 the greatest benefit in suitable cases. The cool refreshing breezes, benefit from 

 together with the lovely mountain scenery, and relaxation from ^^^^ ^^f^ *° 

 work, combine to effect an improvement in the health of those climate. 

 who have been exposed for any length of time to the enervating 

 influences of the plains. For the following classes the climate 

 will be found unquestionably most suitable and invigorating. 

 Young people of weakly constitution, who have broken down 

 through overwork in a tropical climate, or who, from having 

 come out to India before their constitution may be said to have 

 been properly formed, and in consequence have been reduced to 

 a state of general debility after their arrival in the country. 

 Older persons who, by reason of a prolonged residence on the 

 plains without any change, or who, after suSering from some 

 slight illness, have been troubled with dyspepsia, nervous 

 debiUty, mental depression, or loss of appetite, and who in 

 consequence feel an inability to perform their accustomed duties. 

 These are the cases which derive the most permanent benefit from 

 a residence on the hills. It is presumed that in the above cases 

 there is a freedom from all structural disease. Convalescene 

 from many of the more trivial diseases to which Europeans are 

 subject on the plains is generally hastened by a residence on 

 these hills, attention being paid to the selection of a station for 

 such cases in due accordance with the age and state of the patient 

 and the season of the year. 



The climate of the Nilagiris has been founrl by experience to Unsuitable 

 be quite unsuitable in the following cases : those who have long ^^^°^- 

 Buffered on the plains from remittent or repeated attacks of 

 intermittent fevers, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis, and 

 syphilitic affections, as also cases of organic disease generally. 



Although the climate of the Nilagiris has nothing in it to True valnr of 

 recommend it to the invalid suffering from the more serious ^ '® ^'limate. 



