158 
HINTS TO TRAVELLERS. 
When nearing a malarial coast five grains of quinine should be taken 
every day, and on arrival the daily dose should be continued. 
Never take a cold bath in Africa unless ordered to do so by a doctor . In 
the case of persons who have already suffered from many attacks of fever, 
dysentery, or any disease of the liver or other important organs, warm 
bathing should alone be used. Bathing should never be resorted to 
during the period of digestion, i.e., three to four hours after meals. Wear 
warm clothes at night. Avoid the direct rays of the sun. Do not take 
too much animal food. Never begin work on an empty stomach. Never 
neglect a slight attack of fever or diarrhoea. Keep the bowels gently 
opened—once a day is quite enough—but avoid strong purgatives. 
Remember that in a malarious country any ill-health is almost certainly 
due, at any rate in part, to malaria. Always sleep under a mosquito 
curtain. In malarious districts the poison is said to be more concen¬ 
trated at night than during the day, and, as mosquitoes are more 
active between sunset and sunrise, nocturnal exposure should be avoided. 
Old residents in malarious districts have long recognised the danger of 
venturing out when the sun is below the horizon. The hours imme¬ 
diately preceding sunrise are said to be the most dangerous. 
Clothing . 
The body should, as far as possible, be kept at an equable temperature. 
On account of the non-conducting properties of wool, the under gar¬ 
ments should be of this material, or of a mixture of silk and wool, 
which is lighter. All woollen garments, especially the looser ones, 
contain air imprisoned in the fabric, and this is the real non-conductor. 
Two or more fine woollen shirts will be found more efficient than a single 
coarse one, on account of the layer of air retained between them. Fine 
flannel shirts are, accordingly, to be preferred, because the number 
worn can be adjusted to varying temperatures; and it is obviously better 
on that account to be provided with plenty of these, rather than a few 
thick heavy ones. Long sleeves can be dispensed with in the great 
majority, for when two are worn, only one needs sleeves. It is advisable 
always to wear a fine woollen singlet next the skin. In the neighbour¬ 
hood of mountain ranges, or on high table lands, where the range of 
temperature is very considerable, care must be taken, either to wear a 
