178 
CLIMATE, 
but one single ease of dysentery, caused by imprudence in diet, 
which being for some time entirely neglected, presented at last 
really alarming symptoms. I was told that similar cases of 
dysentery generally proved fatal ; all the friends, and even the 
father of my patient, one of the oldest and most intelligent in- 
habitants of Tehuantepec, the only apothecary that resides there, 
considered the case as hopeless, yet she finally recovered. The 
% disease had nothing of a pernicious character in itself, was 
purely accidental, and I am satisfied that similar cases, prop- 
erly attended to, would generally yield readily to correct treat- 
ment. Among upwards of forty Americans who arrived from 
California, and who partook freely of the fruits during a stay of 
nearly three weeks, not one got sick, and they all, as well as our 
party, crossed the Isthmus, and in the hot season, in the enjoy- 
ment of perfect health. It is true, that during the month of 
November and a part of December, the city of Tehuantepec 
and some villages of this valley suffered considerably from 
cholera ; but this fact does not establish proof of the insalubrity 
of these places. It is an admitted fact, that cholera rages in all 
places, seasons, and climates indiscriminately. I am only sur- 
prised that it committed no greater ravages among a population 
who, through ignorance of proper treatment, generally allowed 
the disease to take its own course. Here the cholera was but of 
short duration, and having once ceased, did not appear &gain. 
While at Iluilotepec, some of our party were attac7ied by 
this disease, which also continued at our encampment at the 
Bay of Ventosa. We lost one of our party, victim to this dread- 
ful epidemic, and even he perhaps would have been saved if 
he had not committed excess in drinking, unknown to me, 
twenty-four hours previous to his death. 
The native population of the plains of Tehuantepec, particu- 
larly the Indians, are a race remarkably handsome, well built, 
and healthy. They all profess Christianity, live in houses, culti 
vate the soil, and are capable of further progress in civilization. 
They are friendly and hospitable towards strangers 8 , and of a 
mild and yielding disposition, unless provoked by oppression 
and injustice, in which cases only they become really savage in 
their revenge. 
