384 TRAVELS AMONGST THE GREAT ANDES, chap. xix. 



It follows, if the facts have not been misinterpreted, that the 

 evils coming under B will be minimized (in mountain-travellers) 

 by gradual ascent, and may even be entirely avoided by keeping a 

 constant watch over the rate of the pulse and the temperature of 

 the body. But from the effects on respiration none can escape. 

 ,In every country, and at all times, they will impose limitations 

 upon the range of man ; and those persons in the future, who, 

 either in pursuit of knowledge or in quest of fame, may strive to 

 reach the loftiest summits on the earth, will find themselves con- 

 fronted by augmenting difficulties which they will have to meet 

 with constantly diminishing powers. 



or in people with whom we have been casually associated, on any mountain, in any 

 part of the world. I imagine that these unpleasant features (though undoubtedly 

 occurring in a certain percentage of men and other animals under diminution in 

 pressure) must be principally due to peculiarities of individual constitutions, or to 

 want of judgment. Our indisposition to eat at great elevations (low pressures) has 

 been noticed. It is not impossible, if we had done violence to our inclinations, that 

 we should have paid a penalty. 



