208 Dr. Fothergill on the practice of sleeping on the wet ground. 
the evaporation of the summer months, ona medium, probably equals 
that of the rest of the year, and its quantity, in this warm climate, 
must of course exceed that of Great Britain. Evaporation is great- 
ly accelerated by a brisk wind ; and the more rapid the evaporation, 
the greater (as has been hinted) is the degree of cold it produces. 
Add to this, that a sudden depression of 12 or 14 degrees of tempera- 
ture (as often suddenly happens in this variable climate) is sufficient 
to cause the dew to fall, increasing the coldness of the ground and. 
superincumbent atmosphere. This alone, in persons already enfee- 
bled by the causes ab tioned, greatly enhances the danger. The 
hardy sailor indeed, through habit can, during a long voyage, bear 
with impunity to lie down in his clothes, though dripping-wet with 
sea-spray, yet this does not render him proof against the heavy dews 
of a hot climate on shore, where, if he imprudently sleep in the open 
air, though but a single night, it is at the risque of ie an as too mar 
ny able seamen haye experienced.* 
The human body, exposed to the damp ground when weakened by 
infirm health, fatigue, or intemperance, is predisposed to receive, im 
its full force, the injurious impression of cold and moisture. When 
a person, under such circumstances, awakes from his sleepin a half 
torpid state, he generally feels a sense of numbness, chilliness, and in- 
activity through all his limbs, which (to say nothing of the loss of time 
and the endangering of health) renders him listless and unfit to renew his 
daily task with his wonted vigour and alacrity. But this is not all. For 
those, who indulge this dangerous habit, may think themselves fortue 
nate, if they are not speedily overtaken by some severe disease, which 
may not only deprive them of working for themselves and families, 
but render them burthensome to their friends and the public. Cer- 
® See Lind, - other late Gila on the Ee ate of hot climates. 
