218 a JOURNEY UP THE RIVER CONGO 
such a place as Msuata for instance, from 87° in the 
shade at noon to 60° at two in the morning, and this 
in the rainy or hot season. ‘The highest temperature 
I have ever observed at Vivi was 98° in the shade, on a 
very hot day. It is quite possible to walk about all 
through the middle of the day and not feel the heat 
disagreeable, provided you wear a helmet and carry an 
umbrella; but when you see, as I have seen, young men 
newly arrived from Europe exposing themselves to the 
noonday sun with nothing but a smoking-cap on their 
heads, you will hardly be surprised that occasionally 
deaths from sunstroke take place. And then the relatives 
of. these victims of their own imprudence write to the 
papers, especially in Belgium, and speak of the cruel 
African Minotaur and its meal of white flesh! The fact 
is that under a tropical sun much greater prudence and 
care are needed to regulate-one’s mode of living in ~ 
accordance with the surrounding conditions than in the 
temperate zones, where the effect follows less rapidly on ~ 
the cause. In the hot regions, more especially in the 
countries that are hot and moist, the agencies of nature 
are somewhat sudden and violent in their action. Every- 
thing is “forced” and hurriedly urged on to a climax. 
What in Europe would be a mere imprudence, only — 
causing a serious effect if long persisted in, becomes 
under an African sun a grave danger. You over-eat 
yourself, for instance (an excess both common and 
excusable when entailed by the violent, unhealthy 
Pras. 
PR yy 
Bet J 
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appetites which the climate often promotes); and, instead 
of being quit with an ordinary attack of indigestion, you 
find yourself laid up with a sharp attack of bilious 
fever, and perhaps, before you or your companions have — 
time to check the rapid growth of the malady, other 
complications set in, and in two or three days you are 
dead. Yet it is possible to enjoy excellent health on . 
the Congo, if only it be borne upon one’s mind to use = 
moderation in all things. Abstain from nothing thatis — 
pleasant and innocuous, but abuse no form of enjoyment. 
Eat, drink, and be merry, and remember that neers = 
“fia 
