METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATE. 205 



All this shows that the manner in which fever 

 germs are introduced into the system is a most 

 important matter for inquiry. % 



A moist heat probably interferes with perspira- 

 tion and respiration, and so brings about a lowering 

 of the system, which renders it unable to resist 

 fever. Whether this is due to the wind bringing 

 with it fever-stricken mosquitoes or malarial germs 

 which obtain admission to the blood by some other 

 means, the effect is the same, and the presence of 

 marshes near a station is most dangerous. 



It may seem strange that a non-medical traveller 

 should lay stress on these matters, but they are 

 not by any means realised in practice. 



Fort Johnston, on Lake Nyassa, is almost sur- 

 rounded by a marsh, and is therefore, as one would 

 expect, probably the most unhealthy station in 

 British Central Africa. Generally speaking, in a 

 climate where fevers occur, no trees, no marshy 

 ground, but a perfectly bare clearing on, if possible, 

 an exposed dry knoll is by far the best station for 

 Europeans. 



I am astounded that so obvious a fact should be 

 so frequently neglected in practice. 



In my journey I noticed the following stations 

 built in a radically bad situation : Kibwezi, 

 Lubwa's, Kituta, Fort Abercorn, Karonga's ; at 

 this last, however, as well as at Chiromo and 

 Matope, there is no really good position close at 

 hand. 



