THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 99 



and abstinence from water and food, they readily 

 recover. Bathing in the streams is a very common 

 practice among them during the dry season, but they 

 seldom indulge in this luxury after ten o'clock, and 

 rarely at all during the rainy season. 



A very wide-spread impression prevails in the 

 public mind in favor of a Southern climate for those 

 who are predisposed to, or affected with consump- 

 tive diseases ; and as a general thing, such is the 

 case ; but the Isthmus is an exception to the general 

 rule ; for, whether or not it is the approximation of 

 the two oceans, and almost constant sea breezes, or 

 the extreme dampness of the climate ; either or both 

 of these causes ; in no place have I seen consump- 

 tion more rapidly developed ; indeed, it is the dis- 

 ease of which the natives very commonly die. The 

 same is true of almost every other taint in the sys- 

 tem — as, for instance, chronic syphilis is almost sure 

 to be developed, if there are any seeds of it lurking 

 in the constitution. 



A very important consideration for those who 

 visit this climate, is that of dress. The experience 

 of the English and American Army and Navy sur- 

 geons in tropical climates, is well sustained here 

 with regard to the use of flannels. There is nothing 

 which so well protects the cutaneous surface against 

 the effects of sun and rain, as this material ; it pre- 

 vents the rapid evaporation from the surface, and 

 consequent sudden check of the perspiration ; and a 

 shower of rain or the night air may be borne with 

 far greater safety if the skin is protected by this co- 



