312 



Dr. A. Rattray on the Effects of 



[Feb. 16, 



If we can isolate the effects of tropical weather so as to contrast them 

 with those of other health-impairing agencies, it will be both interesting 

 and practically useful. Table XVI. shows when we find the greatest gain 

 or greatest loss of weight. Life under the healthiest conditions, in which 

 the highest gain (90| per cent.) and lowest loss (9| per cent.) occurs, is 

 first given as a standard for comparison and index of what should be aimed 

 at in all latitudes and circumstances. 



Table XVI. — To compare the effect of climate and other agencies on 



the weight. 



JtvGiercHCG. 



X cIIilOlULlO UliiLLC'llUt'D. 



Grain or 

 unchanged 



Loss 



Per 

 cent. 



Ave- 

 rage. 



Per 

 cent. 



Ave- 

 rage. 









lb. 





lb. 



Table VI. 





90-36 



6-3 



9-64 



2-62 



» x. 



* 





81-05 



5 



19-69 



2-58 



U I- 





35-30 



3 



64-71 



5 



„ IX. 



Two (tropical climate, dry season, 



34-78 



3-9 



65-22 



6-39 





and salt meat). 











„ v. 



Two (tropical climate, wet season, 



23-66 



2-8 



76-34 



715 





and salt meat). 











1, III. 



Three (tropical climate, salt meat, 



8-73 



3-66 



91-26 



6-96 





and hard work). 











We here notice a progressive decrease in the number who gain or do not 

 lose in weight, and necessarily a corresponding increase' in the percentage 

 of those who lose, according to the variety and intensity of the adverse 

 agencies. Thus fewest emaciate when the influences are altogether genial, 

 viz. 9*64 per cent. An injurious diet raises this to 19*69 percent. Under 

 tropical climate it rises to 64*71 . Under the latter and salt meat combined, 

 it again rises to 65*22 per cent., and in the rainy season to 76*34 per cent. 

 "When, besides this, hard work is undergone, it mounts to 91*26 per cent. 

 The average gain and loss columns show a similar though less regular in- 

 crease and decrease. Tropical climate is thus by far the most injurious 

 influence; and its effects are materially aggravated by other adverse agencies. 

 [And the Tables show that these facts apply to the junior as well as the 

 senior ages, though occasionally more apparent in the latter. — Feb. 27.] 



We must know the nature of these universal and marked changes in the 

 weight, and the tissues involved, before we can decide whether they are 

 physiological or pathological, and, if the latter, satisfactorily direct our 

 hygienic or therapeutic efforts to prevent or remedy them. We cannot 

 ascertain by anatomical or histological investigation ; but we may fairly 

 suppose that every or nearly every tissue is more or less implicated — those 



