1841.] Report on the Island of Chedooba. 445 



medicines liberally administered, there was not stamina in their constitu- 

 tion to enable them to rally from the debilitating effects of the disease. 



In the course of our duty in surveying along the coast, considerable 

 exposure was necessarily made of the crew of the ' Childers.' On all such 

 occasions it was as much as possible endeavoured to give the people extra 

 food, and quinine was also administered, in fact, throughout the service, 

 every exertion was made to procure as much and as great chan es of diet 

 as circumstances would permit. Up to this date, March 24th, twenty-seven 

 cases of fever have occurred ; (12th of May, 63) cases on board, all of the 

 same debilitating nature ; but, with the exception of one, under peculiar 

 circumstances, which proved fatal, all were recovered, and in general at 

 duty again in 7 days. 



I believe that my own experience of the shore climate was far greater 

 than that of any one else among us. Hut I have reason to be thankful that, 

 though occasionally unwell, 1 did not suffer from a headache throughout 

 my whole visit. 



Next to the two precautions which may be inferred from what has been 

 said, viz. those of keeping from direct exposure to the sun ; and a generous 

 ! — not intemperate — diet. I would mention the necessity of watching and 

 preparing for the great changes of temperature to which the climate is 

 liable; while by day the lightest clothing was too heavy, by night it has 

 been chill under two blankets and a counterpane. An hour before sunset 

 this change takes place, and should always be met by a change to woollen 

 clothing; last, not least, I mention the necessity of keeping a careful watch 

 over the due and regular performance of the digestive functions. Under 

 employment for mind and body, with the above cautions, viz. avoiding 

 undue exposure ; good — but temperate living ; accommodation to changes 

 of temperature ; attention to regularity of digestion, I incline to think that 

 Chedooba, if not Arracan generally, would be found not so fatal a climate 

 to Europeans as has been hitherto supposed. 



With regard to the effect of climate on the natives, I would observe first- 

 ly, that in the course of their employment for objects connected with the 

 survey, there are few of the able bodied males on the Island whom I had 

 not under personal observation. A small, but well made, active, intelligent 

 race, most cheerful and enduring of fatigue (when obliged to it). In my 

 journeying through the Island, at every village (and few if any were not 

 visited) all ailments were made subjects of application for advice or medi- 

 cine. These cases amounted to two of fever, one of dropsy, one of paralysis, 

 one of blindness, and one of deformity of limbs. Three cases of fever also 

 occurred among the native (Bengaliee) attendants who were with me, 



