SIX MONTHS IK MEXICO. 



243 



obliged to sleep in a marshy or low situation, 

 you ought to take a tea-spoonfull of bark, 

 with a few grains of cayenne pepper, in a glass 

 of water with a little white wine in it, before 

 retiring to rest*. Keep your bowels always 

 comfortably open 5 either by means of some 

 cooling salts, or of a few grains (four or five) 

 of calomel at bed-time, and a gentle dose of 

 salts in the morning. 



As I expect you will altogether escape 

 complaints in Mexico, I consider the best 

 way to do so is to attend to the above 

 directions, and not to use any means to lower 

 the system before your arrival. Preserve the 

 energies of your constitution^ and avoid 



* In low and marshy situations — in the rainy season 

 particularly— when the air is close, impure, and oppres- 

 sive, and when diseases are prevalent, then segar-smoking 

 may be indulged in it may also be resorted to if you are 

 obliged to go out before breakfast, or when you are ex- 

 posed to more than usual cold and moisture. 



R 2 



