Seasons. — Diseases on the Andes. 93 



not live where all the forces in nature keep time. Nobody 

 talks about the weather ; conversation begins with benedic- 

 tions or compliments. 



The greatest variations of the tliermometer occur in au- 

 tumn, and the greatest quantity of rain falls in April.* 

 While on the western side of the Andes, south of the equa- 

 tor, the dry season extends from June to January, on the 

 eastern side of the Cordillera the seasons are reversed, the 

 rain lasting from March to November. The climate of the 

 central valley is modified by tliis opposition of seasons on 

 either side of it, as also by the proximity of snowy peaks. 

 Nine such peaks stand around Quito within a circle of 

 thirty miles. The prevailing winds in summer are fi'om 

 the northeast ; in the winter the southwest predominate. 



There are only three small drug-stores in the great city 

 of Quito. The serpent is used as the badge of apothecary 

 art. Physicians have no oflSces, nor do they, as a general 

 rule, call upon their patients. When an invalid is not able 

 to go to the doctor, he is expected to die. Yellow fever, 

 cholera, and consumption are unknown ; while intermittent 

 fevers, dysentery, and liver complaints, so prevalent on the 

 coast, are uncommon. The ordinary diseases are catarrhal 

 affections and t}q)hoid fever. Cases of inflammation of the 

 lungs are rare ; more coughing may be heard during a Sun- 

 day service in a New England meeting-house than in six 

 months in Quito. The diseases to which the monks of St. 

 Bernard are liable are pulmonary, and the greater number 

 become asthmatic. Asthma is also common in Quito, while 

 phthisis increases as we descend to the sea. Individuals 



* Tlie mean annual fnll of rain at Quito is 70 inches. 



'■ '* •• '• Charleston is 45.9 inches. 



'^ '• '■ New York is 42.23 '' 



" '* '• " Albany is 40.93 



" '' " '• Montreal is 3G 



'• " •' '• Madrid is 10. 



