Medical Topography of Malacca. 57 



much sickness prevails ; especially affections of the chest, as catarrhs, 

 coughs, sore-throat, and fever. Likewise, at the change of this mon- 

 soon, and when the weather is become variable, a variety of diseases 

 appear, principally rheumatic, catarrhal, and pulmonic. 



The following classification of the prevailing winds or monsoons, 

 as received in the Straits, may be attempted, according to the limited 

 opportunities of judging from a comparison of but three years, as 

 offered by the accompanying Tables. Though far from being strictly 

 correct, still it is offered as the nearest approximation which the 

 experience at command permits of for the present want of other 

 sufficient data ; thus — 



In January, February ', March. — The northerly monsoon is said to prevail, 

 and inclining to the E. It is roundly called the NW. monsoon. There is, 

 however, mostly a sea breeze from the W. or S. during the afternoon. 



April, May, June. — The easterly monsoon is said to prevail, but the wind 

 is seen going round the compass most irregularly, even to the W. to S. and 

 SW. 



July, August, September. — The SW. monsoon is said to prevail, ESE. 

 and SE. winds however being frequently the prevailing wind ; E. wind and 

 squally weather are likewise shown to prevail during these months. 



October, November, December. — The north-west monsoon is said to pre- 

 vail. The SW. to N. and NW. winds however blow irregularly with variable 

 and rainy weather during these months. 



The energetic and frequent occurrence of electrical phenomena 

 in the Straits, especially as experienced in the well-known squalls 

 termed Sumatras, is an interesting feature in the physical constitution 

 of this settlement ; and to which undoubtedly much of its healthful- 

 ness at these seasons is due. These mostly occur attended with 

 considerable violence and heavy rain, accompanied with vivid light- 

 ning and reverberating peals of thunder, and chiefly in the months 

 of September and October, the wind blowing from the SW., conse- 

 quently across Sumatra, hence its name. At these times the wind 

 likewise blows with violence from the East. These squalls, I have 

 however seen described in more general terms as occurring between 

 the months of May and December. 



Again, we are informed that the NE. monsoon commences in 

 January, and continues until some time in March, when the SW. 



