A ecu. MA TIZA TION 



89 



exposed to the sun's rays, his skin is apt to become more pigmented 

 than normal, and to afford a certain degree of protection against 

 its rays. 



Sambon pointed out long ago that if proper sanitary and other measures 

 against disease were introduced into the tropics, and if care were taken with 

 regard to food, drink, excessive heat, and the rays of the sun, there is no reason 

 why the European should not live healthily in these regions; and this is true 

 to a certain extent, but in our experience the length of residence must be 

 considered, as even with every care he may become debilitated by the direct 

 climatic influences and require a change to a temperate climate, otherwise 

 after a time, the length of which varies much in individuals, his health will 

 be undermined and break down in some way. 



The extraordinary success of the American sanitarians in the canal zone 

 of Central America, once one of the most unhealthy regions of the world, but 

 where now the sickness-rate has been diminished to less than half that of the 

 death-rate of many a tropical town is often quoted. We feel that the basis 

 of the largest proportion of illness and death in the tropics is bad sanitation 

 and not climatic influences. Notwithstanding these facts, a permanent 

 colonization of the low-lying regions of the tropics by a white race is, in our 

 opinion, not possible, as a uniformly damp, hot climate endured for years 

 diminishes the resistance against disease, and has a markedly deleterious effect 

 on the nervous system. Fertility probably also decreases after the second 

 or third generation. The climate greatly deteriorates the physique of the 

 children, as can easily be observed in any district of the tropics at sea-level. 

 In the highlands, such as some parts of British East Africa, colonization by a 

 white race may be possible, though Van Stand el has pointed out that pro- 

 longed residence in tropical highlands produces changes in the nervous systems 

 of the second and subsequent generations, even if it does not do so in the first. 



These remarks in general agree with Caddy's work, as he considers that the 

 European is unable to rear strong healthy children in India, and that even 

 those which are sent home, when four or five years old, owing to the debili- 

 tating influences of the tropical climate at an important growing period, are 

 not so fine physically as their parents. 



If, however, the new-comer into the tropics desires to become 

 acclimatized he must use some protection for his head, and in many 

 cases for his spine and eyes ; he must wear suitable clothing, live in 

 suitable houses, work in suitable ofQces, dwell in sanitary surround- 

 ings, avoid alcohol and exposure to the midday sun, while roads 

 in common use should be suitably constructed and well shaded. 



It is not within the province of this work to go into detail with 

 regard to these matters, but a few brief remarks may be made. 



Suitable Head-gear.— All Europeans should wear a light helmet 

 or topee covered with white or khaki-coloured cloth externally 

 and ventilated. This helmet should have a broad brim lined with 

 green and prolonged down the back of the neck, should be lined 

 internally with red, or red and yellow, or black, and should possess 

 an internal band attached in such a manner that the head does not 

 touch the frame of the hat, while it allows free circulation of the air. 



When persons are compelled to work under the tropical sun and 

 to expose their backs to its rays, a thin strip of yellow and red 

 coloured silk should be sewn into the shirt along the spine, or 

 attached to the inner aspect of the coat by means of hooks and 

 eyelets. Eyes should be protected with dark glasses, or with 

 Sir William Crookes' non-actinic glass with side-pieces. 



