330 
On the Distress and Exhaustion 
[Nov 
any journey, seeing these pills are not every where to be had, they would he sure to 
carry with them one or two of them. The same care did I also take, above twenty 
years ago, for my sons, when I sent them abroad to the university ; instructing them 
in my way of proceeding in the cure as well of this disease, as of the griping 
diarrhoea before spoken of, and also in the maimer of preservation from and cure 
in the plague : wherein, notwithstanding, I advised them to consult the physicians of 
the place, that so the cure might be the more certain and speedy. 
As concerning diet, I have spoken very largely in my French treatise ; where I 
have said, that for their ordinary drink, the sick parties must take water and verd- 
juice, of each a like quantity mixt together ; that is to say, the quantity of a cup 
and a half of either, with the yolk of an egg boiled in it, with a small quantity of 
sugar. And if the party be not very thirsty, he may then take a draught of red 
wine ; or where that cannot be had, of old white wine : with which, if need be, you 
may mix water, with a little cinnamon boiled in it ; you may allow vonr pati- 
ents a draught of small ale, so it be clear. He may also have made him several 
kinds of broths, of the aforesaid verd -juice; or white wine, with water, sugar, and the 
yolk of eggs mixed with it ; restorative jellies also ; and a toast of white bread in 
wine mixed with water, and with a little sugar put upon it, are here of very good use. 
And whatsoever he takes either of meats, or drinks, he must take them cold ; and 
least, by drinking too much, his evacuations should be the more violent upon him, 
lie may sometimes allay his thirst, in some measure, by taking two or three spoon, 
fuls of wine and water, mixed together in equal quantities, with a little sugar, and 
juice of citron added to it, to make it relish the better. He may also take a slice or 
two of citron (the peel taken off,) rolled about in sugar. Conserves of red currants, 
and of berberries and the like, which are both cooling and astringent, and also 
pleasant to the taste, are here of good use also. 
VI . — On the Distress and Exhaustion consequent to Exertion at great 
Elevations. 
To the Editor of the Gleanings in Science. 
Sir, 
If the following observations are deemed worthy of a place amongst yotir “ Glean, 
ings” I shall feel obliged by their insertion. They relate to a subject which, compar- 
atively speaking, but few individuals have had an opportunity of observing to any 
great extent, viz, the difficulty of respiration, and consequent fatigue and inability 
to proceed above a few paces at a time, up an ascent, in situations of considerable 
elevation above the level of the sea. I am not aware of any thing having been writ- 
ten ou this subject, beyond the facts just mentioned ; and having been placed in situ- 
ations favorable for repealed observations relating to it, I determined on making 
such remarks as might possibly tend towards its elucidation. One of Ibe first ideas 
which occurred to me on first experiencing this feeling, was, to try the state of my 
pulse ; and certainly, whatever its remote cause, it appears to be connected with 
the rapid circulation of the blood ; as I found my pulse rise from 64, its usual 
rate, to 160 beats in a minute; the inspirations being in proportion. This effect 
was produced in me, I think, at about the height of 12 000 or 13 000 feet, where, 
unless the road was unusually steep, 1 was enabled to take 30 or even 40 paces 
without being under the necessity of stopping from fatigue, (particularly felt in the 
loins and legs,) and the impossibility of making further progress without resting; 
hut whatever the distance I was enabled to accomplish at one time, whenever my 
pulse rose to 160, I was compelled to rest ; and a very short one restored my 
strength. As I gained a greater deration, the number of paces I could take, de- 
creased in proportion; till having ascended to the heighth of about 17 000 feet, 
the ascent being rather steep, 1 found myself quite unequal to the exertion of 
advancing even six steps, without being completely exhausted ; and without the 
assistance of two men (Blioteahs) accustomed to travel at such elevations, and 
a jatibii (an animal bred between the Tartar yah and common cow), to whose 
tail I tied myself, (it being too weak, from want of food for three days, to carrv me, 
as was intended,) 1 should never have reached the summit of the pass, which prov- 
ed k}' barometrical measurement to be 17 800 feet, the column of mercury being 
only a mtle more than 15 inches— and even with their combined-aid 1 did not 
accomplish it without very severe fatigue. This sensation is experienced by the 
natives, though in a less degree ; and they attribute it to the poisonous exhalations 
