CHAP. II.] HEALTH. 61 



serves more effectually to break down an impaired con- 

 stitution in the tropics than the want of timely and re- 

 freshing sleep. 



Dress. In the selection of dress experience has taught 

 the superiority of calico to linen, the latter, when damp 

 from the exhalation of the skin, causing a chill which 

 is injurious, whilst the former, from some peculiarity in 

 its fibre, however moist it may become, never imparts 

 the same sensation of cold. The clothing best adapted 

 to the climate is that whose texture least excites the 

 already profuse perspiration, and whose fashion presents 

 the least impediment to its escape. 1 The discomfort 

 of woollen has led to its avoidance as far as possible ; 

 but those who, in England, may have accustomed them- 

 selves to flannel, will find the advantage of persevering 

 to wear it, provided it is so light as not to excite per- 

 spiration. So equipped for active exercise, exposure 

 to the sun, however hot, may be regarded without ap- 

 prehension, provided the limbs are in motion and the body 

 in ordinary health ; but the instinct of all oriental races 

 has taught the necessity of protecting the head, and 

 European ingenuity has not failed to devise expedients 

 for this all-important object. 



From what has been said, it will be apparent that, 

 compared with continental India, the securities for health 

 in Ceylon are greatly in favour of the island. As to the 

 formidable diseases which are common to both, their 

 occurrence in either is characterised by the same appalling 

 manifestations : dysentery fastens, with all its fearful con- 

 comitants, on the unwary and incautious ; and cholera, 

 with its dark horrors, sweeps mysteriously across neg- 

 lected districts, exacting its hecatombs. But the visitation 

 and ravages of both are somewhat under control, and 



1 "Man not being created an 

 aquatic animal, his skin cannot with 

 impunity be exposed to perpetual 

 moisture, whether directly applied or 

 arising from perspiration retained by 



VOL. I. 



dress. The importance to health of 

 keeping the skin dry does not appear 

 to have hitherto received due atten- 

 tion." PICKERING, Races of Man, fyc., 

 ch. xliv. 



