370 CLIMATE. 



ing this season should be noted I should add that five individuals, 



who had not been on board in the previous year, lust during this season on 

 the average 5 lbs. per man. 



I may therefore conclude that tlie effect of seven months' service in this 

 region on the body-weight is, on the average, a loss of from 6 to 7 lbs. 

 Although this loss of weight is mainly attributable to the climate, it is 

 evident that the character of the diet has an important influence in the 

 matter. For the greater part of tlie time spent in these islands, the crew 

 were on preserved and salt rations, a diet wiiich reduces the weight of the 

 body. One of the results of an elaborate series of observations made by 

 Dr. A. Rattray of H M.S. " Salamander," whilst serving in the Western 

 Pacific from 1864-G7, was to show tliat salt diet in a tropical climate is an 

 important factor in reducing weiglit, and that other influences, such as that 

 of hard work, increase the loss. During various cruises in the tropics, 

 usually lasting aliout three months, he weighed between 70 and 100 men 

 "with the following results. The eftect of a tropical climate alune was to 

 reduce tlie weight of 64 per cent., the average loss being 5 lbs. When the 

 unfavourable conditions of a wet season and salt diet were added, 76 per 

 cent, lost weight, the average loss being 7 lbs. l^y the further addition of 

 hard work, 91 jjer cent, lost weight, the average loss being, about the 

 same. The loss of weight after each cruise was regained in 7 or 8 weeks 

 during the stay in Sydney.^ 



> Proc. Roy. Soc, vol. XIX., p. 295 (1870-71). In this paper Dr. Rattray treats at length 

 ■of the effects of a tropical climate on the various organs and functions of the body. 



