1871.] Change of Climate on the Human Economy. 315 



Table XVIII. — To contrast the results of two voyages on the weight of 



Cadets. 





Number 

 weighed. 



Number and per- 

 centage who gain- 

 ed or did not lose. 



Number and per- 

 centage who lost. 



A voyage to Bahia of 88 days : — 

 in tropics, 66 days.,. \ 

 on salt meat, 51 „ ... J 



58 



per cent. 

 20 = 34-47 



per cent. 

 38=65-51 



A voyage to the Mediterranean 

 of 100 days :— 



in tropics, days ... 1 

 on salt meat, 5 „ ... J 



57 



34=59-64 



23=40-35 



The general loss of flesh (in other words, absorption of internal tissue) 

 which results from the salt-meat dietary of long voyages, and which is here 

 seen to be so greatly intensified in and by tropical climate, is really the 

 essence and primary stage of scurvy, and corresponds in principle and 

 nature with the visible, external, and superficial breaking down and loss of 

 substance in the phlegmous abscesses, ulcers, &c, still too prevalent in the 

 service, and in its more serious and advanced forms of the dysentery, and 

 putrid ulcer, once so common and fatal ; while the intensity, obstinacy, 

 and sometimes the origin of many other local and general diseases frequent 

 among seamen, e. g. rheumatism, syphilis, struma, various fevers, con- 

 tinued, contagious and periodic, &c, have doubtless an equally close 

 alliance.— Feb. 27.] 



These experiments were carried out in super-oceanic climates. It would 

 be interesting to know how the weight and strength are affected in conti- 

 nental ones, where the range of temperature and humidity &c. are greater, 

 as, for example, when troops are moved from the cool hilly regions of India 

 to its sultry lowlands. 



These facts suggest important hygienic and therapeutic indications ; for 

 example : — - 



First. That the tropics, especially during the rainy season, should be 

 avoided by natives of colder latitudes. 



Second. That the young, the debilitated, and the diseased should espe- 

 cially shun warm regions. 



Third. That none but full-grown healthy adults should go there. 



Fourth. That with all, even the latter, a speedy exit should be made 

 therefrom, when great loss of flesh and strength give warning of approach- 

 ing disease. 



Fifth. That such injurious agencies as may increase the weakening or 

 disease-inducing influences of tropical climates, of themselves irremediable, 

 should be avoided, e. g. faulty diet, over fatigue, impure air, &c. 



Sixth. That, to preserve health, a tropical climate should be frequently 

 changed for the more temperate ones of higher altitudes or latitudes. 



2 b 2 



