58 Medical Topography of Malacca. 



commences and continues until September; again that September, 

 October and November, is considered the NW. or squally season ; 

 but that squalls both from the SW. and NW. occur indifferently in 

 these months. This, though seemingly paradoxical, makes good what 

 we so frequently observe, that violent squalls usually come from the 

 opposite direction to that in which the wind is blowing. During 

 January, or the NE. monsoon, the squalls (if any) come from the 

 NE. and from the W. 



It has been remarked that at any time during the year when the 

 wind prevails from the NW., rain is pretty sure to fall in the course 

 of the day. 



The returns for the past three years show, that both as to the 

 number of days in which rain fell, and the amount that fell, in the 

 months of November and December, the difference between the three 

 years appears to have been extremely slight. 



No. of days 

 rain fell. Inches. Tenths, 



Viz. 1843, November & December 22 Amount fell, 14 1\ 



1844, ditto and ditto, . . . . 23 Ditto, 14 \\ 



1845, ditto and ditto, . . .. 29 Ditto, 15 7 



Relative to the salubrity of Malacca and of the Straits generally, 

 the climate may be called a relaxing one. 



In fact, it is said to be a climate which offers no hope of the con- 

 stitutional powers, once debilitated, being able to rally, unless remov- 

 ed from its debilitating influence, and transported to a more bracing 

 climate ; one more congenial to, and in accordance with European 

 habits and constitutions ; and for which Australia, the Cape, or 

 rather the mountains of Ceylon offer favourable remedies ; nay China 

 may now to many be equally eligible and preferable as a change, 

 suiting of course the season and the station sought, to the end 

 required. 



That this is a correct description of the climate generally is, I be- 

 lieve, perfectly true. But its internal resources are, I likewise think, 

 under-rated, because not attended to at a seasonable time of the 

 debilitating disease itself, and without a sufficient respect to the sea- 

 son at which to seek a change, when some change is felt to be 



