Medical History of H. M. 1 bth Hussars. 369 



jungles, and other sources of malaria, the frequent refresh- 

 ing showers, constant strong breezes, and a bracing elastic 

 air with cloudy or hazy mornings for several months, which 

 mitigate the fiery rays of a sun that is vertical twice in the 

 twelve months. 



Hence, though the air is almost always cool and refreshing, 

 yet in the day-time outside, when exposed to the sun's influ- 

 ence, it is hot and oppressive ; and the injurious effects are as 

 great as in other less favoured situations. In fact, the tran- 

 sitions from heat to cold are great, and, when due precautions 

 are not observed, trying to the delicate, and conducive to in- 

 flammatory attacks in those predisposed to them. 



In the house the annual average of the thermometer is 74 

 degrees, with an annual variation of only 7 degrees. Exposed 

 outside, however, it ranges from 50° to 129°, with an annual 

 variation of no less than 44^°. 



Here at once we have the explanation of its extreme salu- 

 brity, as well as of its very trying effects on the frame ex- 

 posed unprotected to its influence ; together with the violence 

 and frequency of inflammatory attacks, the rapidity of con- 

 valescence, the small proportion of deaths to treated, and 

 the exemption which certain classes possess altogether to the 

 assaults of those very affections : leading, as the subject does, 

 to the very important consideration of the entire economy of 

 the soldier, as it is influenced by these physical considera- 

 tions, and reconciling the strange paradox of a place being 

 very healthy, and at the same time exhibiting much violent 

 and inflammatory disease, and, under certain circumstances, 

 a very heavy list of casualties. 



It tends, however, to the conclusion, that the benefits pos- 

 sessed by the station are its own; the disadvantages or draw- 

 backs those of faulty economy, or capable of being mitigated 

 or removed by better Barrack accommodation, by care to 

 avoid exposure, by absence of extreme fatigue, dissipation, 

 and of unnecesary restraints, as well as ill adapted dress. 



