Wellington-. 



Medical 

 Report on 



MANUAL OF THE nIlAOIRI DISTRICT. 71 



dilated pupils^ and derangement of tlie stomach, especially in CHAP. IV, 



the youngei' soldiers, are common ; but the climate, no doubt, is PART III. 



particularly adapted for newly-arrived troops from England, 



when preventive, rather than curative, results are looked for, 



and in it the European can maintain his health and vigour. Still (^^^ate &c 



it will always be necessary, especially with reference to the younger '- 



soldiers, that they should not expose themselves to the sun or 

 ventui'e into the valleys, and that they should be well provided 

 with flannel shirts with sleeves, and avoid becoming overheated. 



At present the troops begin to arrive from about the middle of Period for 

 March, which is very advantageous considering that they are out yisiting the 

 of the plains before the hot weather becomes very severe, and I 

 think they should not be despatched from the plains later than 

 the 15th March if it can be avoided. The pleasantest time to 

 arrive would be April, May, or June. 



The climate is particularly suitable to those who are suffering Those who 

 from ordinary depression or debility resulting from the heat of '^®°®^*'- 

 the plains, or who are failing either from long residence in the 

 excessive temperature of India, and who have fallen into a condition 

 of exhaustion without organic disease. It is particularly benefi- 

 cial to young soldiers who have had their tone of constitution 

 lowered by attacks of simple fever, or who have lost flesh and 

 strength by climate. These persons rapidly regain strength ; the 

 blood resumes its red globules, the cheeks and lips become rosy, 

 and the appetite and vigour are restored. Those suffering from 

 wounds, injuries, suppurating bubos, abscesses, or from scrofula 

 or malarious fever do well up here. Mild bowel derangements 

 and even dysentery, when not complicated with disease of the 

 liver (if precautions against chills are observed), improve, and 

 even rheumatism and ulcers without syphilitic taint and chronic 

 bronchitis, w^hich frequently attacks old soldiers in the plains 

 with diffuse expectoration, are benefited. Old soldiers without 

 organic disease, who are showang symptoms of breaking down, 

 thrive, improve their general health, are able to bear more 

 fatigue, and regain strength up here, as is shown by settlers, 

 pensioners, and others, who are holding positions under Govern- 

 ment on these hills, or are independent. 



The climate, although exhilarating, is peculiar, and from the Those who do 

 rarified condition of the atmosphere, which at this elevation "^*^ ^®''®^'' 

 exerts a pressure of 2| lbs. to the square inch less than at the 

 level of the sea, the system feels naturally the want of support, 

 the blood-vessels dilate, and consequently this climate is totally 

 unsuitable for valvular disease of the heart, or developed disease 

 of the lungs ; and even persons in fair health, from this peculiar 

 condition of atmosphere, suffer from palpitation caused by the 

 increased action of the heart, which becomes embarrassed in 



