290 
MADAGASCAR. 
fever. Have a waterproof coat of the lightest 
texture consistent with utility, as rain is fre¬ 
quent in the forest journey. Take good lace 
hide boots : brown grain are best, but avoid all 
elastic sides. The hot sand and sun melt the 
springs, and the boot is soon useless. Do not 
use india-rubber soles : they dissolve in the heat, 
or at the best only sustain an unpleasant 
warmth, which is very injurious. A good sole 
is necessary, and plenty of room. The head 
is the chief consideration in this climate, and 
nothing offers a better protection than the pith 
helmet, or ordinary military tropical helmet. 
The back of the neck is the vulnerable spot, 
and this must be kept most carefully protected 
by a puggaree or deep extension of the helmet 
brim. The face and temples are not so assail¬ 
able as the nape of the neck ; and it is at this 
spot that sunstroke is generally taken. Shirts 
and all underclothing should invariably be of 
flannel or serge. Quinine, ipecacuanha (to be 
used in frequent doses in attacks of fever as 
an emetic), and rhubarb in tincture or powder, 
with some ammonia for insect bites, are almost 
the only medical preparations required. In any 
case, a very cumbrous medicine-chest will only 
be in the way, and often a hindrance rather than 
a help to the traveller. An india-rubber sheet 
is very useful to throw over the filanjdna in 
