318 DISEASE*. 



them do recover from acute diseases, •when the low 

 slate of native medicine is considered. There is a 

 pretty general prejudice amongst the natives against 

 English medicine; which is, no doubt, befit np by the 

 native j>r;n .■titioners. Hut when a Malay i«* at the 

 point of death, he will, as a dernier resource, apply to 

 the English physician. The Malay is taught to believe 

 that all English medicines have, as two of their in- 

 gredients, calomel arid mummies, or calcined human 

 hones ! 



The small-pox occasionally commits great ravages. 

 Vaccination has sometimes partially succeeded, al- 

 though the Malaya display too much apatby regard- 

 ing it. The Chinese gladly avail themselves of its 

 blessings. It has been found very difficult to import 

 the virus. The Raja of Ligor made a strenuous at- 

 tempt to introduce ir into Lower Siam; but it is sup- 

 posed without effect, owing to the badness of the 

 virus. 



Exposure to the cold land-wind at night, and to 

 dews, which are very copious, will, no doubt, induce 

 febrile and other diseases. Exposure also to the direct 

 rays of the sun from 8 a. w, to 5 p. m. is always at- 

 tended in Penang with some danger to Europeans ; 

 and the natives frequently suffer from it. But such 

 is the perfect ventilation in Province Wellesley that 

 one may ride out during the dav with safety, provid- 

 ed a thick umbrella is field over the head. The same 

 practice cannot however, even with this precaution, 

 be recommended for Penang, where the air is more 

 saturated with moisture, and acts as a lens ; and the 

 radiant caloric is not driven off by the wind. 



The barometer has been observed in Penang to 

 perform four revolutions in the twenty-four hours. At 



4 a. m. — It is lowest and remains so a short while, 

 then ascends ; until 



