268 MEDICAL OSSERVATIONS. 



found to agree well with either ; still we must remark, that 

 there is a sort of extreme fairness, accompanied with white 

 hair, and very light-coloured gray eyes, approaching to those 

 of the Albinos, which is far from desirable in hot countries. 

 Individuals so distmguished not only suffer much in their 

 sight from the glare of bright sunshine, but, being often of 

 lax fibres, fall into those disorders to which such a* frame of 

 body is subject, and invariably get scorched on exposure to 

 a heat from which others suffer no injury. This remark 

 must be understood to applj-, not to what is commonly called 

 simply fair complexion, but to that almost unnatural white- 

 ness of hair and skin which we sometimes see. There is 

 also a degree of dark complexion, which we should not select 

 for India, namely, that which is often accompanied with 

 torpor of the bowels, languid circulation, dark-coloured 

 faces, grave manner, full black eyes, and not rarely a pe- 

 culiar attachment to abstruse studies,— in fact, that class 

 of appearances by which the melancholic temperament is 

 chiefly characterized. To young men of this complexion 

 we should say that India is prejudicial, as the natural or 

 habitual morbid torpor would be increased by the wasting 

 influence of great exudation,— sobriety of manner passing 

 gradually mto a love of seclusion,— dyspepsia putting on 

 some of the distressing features of hypochondriasis,— and 

 intellects frequently of the noblest and most generous cast, 

 though in their reasoning faculty unimpaired, losing much 

 of that manly energy which once constituted their principal 

 charm. Upon the whole, complexions neither unusually 

 dark nor peculiarly fair are best adapted to the East. But, 

 after all, as already hinted, this is a matter not worthy of 

 much consideration ; and we know that the Romans of old 

 said, « Nimmm nc crede colori:' Much more essential for 

 India are, a perfect frame, a cheerful disposition, and good 

 digestion. 



For the rheumatic the warm climate of Asia is favourable 

 with common prudence ; but this, though absolutely neces- 

 sary, IS, we are sorry to add, not always exercised ; for, to 

 avoid the nearly suffocating heat of close nights, Europeans 

 are too often tempted to sleep altogether sub Jove, or, which 

 is worse, behind wetted tatties ; and they suffer accord- 

 ingly : for these practices, as every medical officer who has 

 been in India can attest, are two of the most undoubted 



