tressing, and insects neither so numerous nor teazing; but it must be recollected, that they, in general, eat nothing between breakfast and dinner; and that among the Hindoos and lower classes of Mahommedans, &c. the evening meal is by no means of a stimulating quality, while no provocative variety, or other adventitious circumstances, can have much effect in goading the appetite beyond its natural level. Add to this, that in the upper provinces, among Mahommedans of distinction, who can afford more substantial, and animal food, the dinner hour is one or two o'clock, and after that, little or nothing, except coffee, sweetmeats, or fruit, is taken during the evening.

He, then, who consults his health in the Eastern world, or in any tropical climate, will beware of indulging in this second and unnecessary dinner, particularly during the period of his probation; but will rather be satisfied with the meridian repast, as the principal meal, when tea or coffee, at six or seven o'clock in the evening, will be found a grateful refreshment. After this, his rest will be as natural and refreshing, as can be expected in such a climate; and he will rise next morning with infinitely more vigour, than if he had crowned a sumptuous dinner with a bottle of wine the preceding evening. Let but a trial of one week put these directions to the test, and they will be found to have a more substantial foundation than theory.

Of supper it is not necessary to speak, as it is a mere matter of ceremony in hot climates, excepting after assemblies, or on some public occasions, which indeed are badly suited to the torrid zone.

A limited indulgence in fruits, during the first year, is prudent. Although I myself never had any reason to believe that they actually occasioned dysentery, yet, where the intestines are already in an irritable state, from irregular or vitiated secretions of bile, they certainly tend to increase that irritability, and consequently predispose to the complaint in question. Particular kinds of fruit, too, have peculiar effects on certain constitutions. Thus, mangoes have something stimulating and heating in them, of a terebinthinate nature, which not seldom brings out a plentiful crop of pustules, or even boils, on the unseasoned European. A patient of mine, who died from the irritation of an eruption of this kind, had been much addicted to an unrestrained indulgence in fruit, particularly mangoes ;indeed their effect in this way is familiarly known in India. Neither is pine apple, (though very delicious,) the safest fruit to make too free with at first. Good ripe shaddocks are very grateful in hot weather, from their subacid and cooling juice, so well adapted to allay the unpleasant sensation of thirst. Plantains and bananas are wholesome and nutritious, especially when frittered. The spices and condiments of the country, as I before hinted, should be reserved for those ulterior periods of our residence in hot climates, when the tone of the constitution is lowered, and the stomach participates in the general relaxation. They are then safe and salutary.

DRINK.

SEC. III-I shall not here attempt to prove, that WATER is the simple and salutary beverage designed by Nature for Man, as well as other Animals. In every nation, even the most refined and modern, a great majority appear, by their practice at least, to entertain no such belief. They have, with no small ingenuity, contrived so to medicate the native fountain, that they are always either outstripping, or lagging behind, the placid stream of life! The same magic bowl which, this moment, can raise its votaries into heroes and demi-gods, will, in a few hours, sink them beneath the level of the brute creation!

The moralist and philosopher have long descanted on this theme, with little success; for, until people begin to feel the corporeal effects of intemperance, a deaf ear is turned to the most impressive harangues against that deplorable propensity; and even then, but very few have resolution and fortitude to stem the evil habit! Let us do our duty, however, in conscientiously pourtraying the effects of drink in a tropical climate.

I have already observed, that the grand secret, or fundamental rule, for preserving health in hot countries, is," TO KEEP THE BODY COOL.' I have also alluded to the strong sympathy that subsists between the skin and several internal organs, as the stomach, liver, and intestinal canal. On this principle, common sense alone would point out the propriety of avoiding heating and stimulating drink, for the same reasons that we endeavour to guard against the high temper of the climate. But no; a wretched, sensual theory has spread from the vulgar to many in the profession, (who ought to know better,) that since the heat of the climate occasions a profuse perspiration, and consequently renders that discharge the more liable to check, we are to aid and assist these natural causes by the use of gently stimulating liquids," and, of course, increase those very ef fects which we pretend to obviate! "A little shrub and water," says Mr. Curtis, (Diseases of India,) " or Madeira and water, between meals, is useful, and in some measure necessary, to keep up the tone of the digestive organs, and to supply, [i. e. augment,] the waste occasioned by an excessive perspiration," p. 281. I can assure Mr. Curtis that, however necessary this practice might have been thought in his time, (forty years ago,) it is now considered not only unnecessary, but disgraceful; and that in no respectable circle in the Eastern world, beyond the confines of the "Punch-house," where no European of character will ever be seen, [especially in Bengal,] is any sangaree, porter cup, or other "gently stimulating liquid," made use of "between meals." And I take this opportunity of informing and warning every new comer, that the very call of brandy-shrub-pauny!" will endanger his being marked as a "vitandus est," and that a perseverance in such habit will inevitably, and very quickly too, exclude him from every estimable circle of his own countrymen, who will not fail to note him as in the road to ruin!

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Nor did these most excellent habits of temperance originate in any

medical precepts or admonitions-far from it! The professional adviser was by no means solicitous to inculcate a doctrine, which it might not suit his taste to practise. But in a vast empire, held by the frail tenure of opinion, and especially where the current of religious prejudices, Brahmin as well as Moslem, ran strong against intoxication, it was soon found necessary, from imperious motives of policy, rather than of health, to discourage every tendency towards the acquisition of such dangerous habits. Hence the inebriate was justly considered as not merely culpable in destroying his own health, individually, but as deteriorating the European character in the eyes of those natives, whom it was desirable at all times to impress with a deep sense of our superiority. Happily, what was promotive of our interest, was preservative of our health, as well as conducive to our happiness; and the general temperance in this respect, which now characterises the Anglo-Asiatic circles of society, as contrasted with Anglo-West-Indian manners, must utterly confound those fine-spun theories, which the votaries of porter cup, sangaree, and other "gently stimulating liquids," have invented about-" supporting perspiration," "keeping up the tone of the digestive organs," &c. all which experience has proved to be not only ideal but pernicious! "On the meeting together of a company of this class," [planters,] says a modern writer on the West ludies," they were accustomed invariably, to sit and continue swilling strong punch, (sometimes half rum,) and smoking segars, till they could neither see nor stand; and he who could swallow the greatest quantity of this liquid fire, or infuse in it the greatest quantity of ardent spirits, was considered the cleverest fellow." Account of Jamaica and its Inhabitants, 1808.— p. 189. And again; "The inferior orders, in the towns, are by no means exempt from the reproach of intemperance; nor are the more opulent classes, generally speaking, behind hand in this respect. Sangaree, arrack-punch, and other potations, are pretty freely drank, early in the day, in the taverns," p. 199.

I can conceive only one plausible argument which the trans-atlantic Brunonian can adduce, in support of his doctrine after the unwelcome denouement which I have brought forward respecting oriental customs; namely, that as the range of atmospheric heat, in the West Indies, is several degrees below that of the East, it may be necessary to counterbalance this deficit of external heat, by the more assiduous application of internal stimulus! For this hint he will no doubt, be much obliged to me, as he must consider the argument irresistible.

I may here remark, that too much praise cannot be given to the Captains of East Indiamen, for the lessons of temperance and decorum that are generally taught on board their ships, (whatever may be the motives,) during the outward bound passage. The very best effects result from this early initiatory discipline, in a thousand different ways. Rarely, indeed, in the vessels alluded to, does the decanter make more than half a dozen tours, (often not so many,) after the cloth is removed at dinner, before the company disperse, by a delicate, but well-known signal, either to take the air upon deck, or amuse themselves with books-chess-music, or the like, till the

evening. After a very frugal supper, the bottle makes a tour or two, when the significant toast of "good night, ladies and gentlemen !" sends every one at an early hour to repose.

"

It may readily be conceived, of what incalculable utility five or six months' regimen of this kind must prove to Europeans, approaching a tropical climate; especially when policy and imperious custom will enforce its continuance there! It is true, that at each of the presidencies, there may be found several individuals of the old bacchanalian school, whose wit, humour, or vocal powers, are sometimes courted, on particular occasions, to set the table in a roar." But let not such expect to mingle in the domestic circles of respectable Society, (where alone true enjoyment is to be found,) either in the civil or military departments. No such thing as a regimental mess exists in India; and as convivial association thus becomes perfectly optional, the least tendency to inebriety will assuredly insulate the individual who, from solitary indulgence and reflection, soon falls a martyr to the baneful effects of INTEMPERANCE!

The navy presents a different aspect. Fewer of these have an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the domestic manners either of the natives or Europeans on shore; and therefore, they more frequently pursue their usual course of living, both in food and drink, for a considerable time after arriving on the station; verifying the observation, that

"Cœlum non animum mutant qui transmare currunt."

And although they are fortunately less exposed, in general, to many of those causes which aggravate the effects of inebriety ashore, yet much injury is produced before they see their error.

A very common opinion prevails, even in the profession,-and I am not prepared to deny its validity, that during the operation of wine or spirits on the human frame, we are better able to resist the agency of certain morbid causes, as contagion, marsh effluvium, cold, &c. But let it be remembered, that it is only while the excitement lasts, that we can hope for any superior degree of immunity from the said noxious agents; after which, we become doubly disposed towards their reception and operation! Nor am I fully convinced, by all the stories I have heard or read, that inebriety has, in any case or emergency, even a momentary superiority over habitual temperance.

The delusion in respect to vinous and spirituous potations, in hot climates, is kept up chiefly by this circumstance, that their bad effects are, in reality, not so conspicuous as one would expect; and they rather predispose to, and aggravate the various causes of disease resulting from climate, than produce direct indisposition themselves; consequently, superficial observation places their effects to the account of other agents. But the truth is, that as drunkenness, in a moral point of view, leads to every vice; so, in a medical point of view, it accelerates the attack, and renders more difficult the cure of every disease, more particularly the diseases of hot climates; because it has a specific effect, I may say, on those organs to which the deleterious influence of climate is peculiarly directed. If the Northern inebriate is proverbially subject to hepatic derangement, where

the coldness of the atmosphere powerfully counterpoises, by its action on the surface, the internal injury induced by strong drink, how can the Anglo-East or West Indian expect to escape, when the external and internal causes run in perfect unison, and promote each other's effects by a wonderful sympathy.

It has been considered wise, as I before hinted, to take the seasoned European for our model, in every thing that respects our regime of the non-naturals. Strangers," says Mr. Curtis, "arriving in India, if they regard the preservation of health, cannot too soon adopt the modes of living followed by the experienced European residents there." I do not conceive this to be a good medical maxim, even in India, where temperance is scarcely a virtue; and certain I am, that it is a most dangerous precept in the West, for reasons which I have lately rendered sufficiently obvious. It confounds all discrimination between the very different habits of body, which the seasoned and unseasoned possess. It is consonant with experience, as well as theory, that the former class may indulge in the luxuries of the table with infinitely less risk than the latter; and this should ever be held in view. In short, the nearer we approach to a perfectly aqueous regimen in drink, during the first year at least, so much the better chance have we of avoiding sickness; and the more slowly and gradually we deviate from this afterwards, so much the more retentive will we be of that invaluable blessing-HEALTH!

It might appear very reasonable, that in a climate where ennui reigns triumphant, and an unaccountable languor pervades both mind and body, we should cheer our drooping spirits with the mirth-inspiring bowl;-a precept which Hafiz has repeatedly enjoined. But Hafiz, though an excellent poet, and like his predecessor, Homer, a votary of Bacchus, was not much of a physician; and without doubt, his "liquid ruby," as calls it, is one of the worst of all prescriptions for a 66 pensive heart." I remember a gentleman at Prince of Wales's Island, [Mr. S.] some years ago, who was remarkable for his convivial talents and flow of spirits. The first time I happened to be in a large company with him, I attributed his animation and hilarity to the wine, and expected to see them flag, as is usual, when the first effects of the bottle were past off; but I was surprised to find them maintain a uniform level, after many younger heroes had bowed to the rosy god. I now contrived to get near him, and enter into conversation, when he disclosed the secret, by assuring me he had drunk nothing but water for many years in India; that in consequence his health was excellent-his spirits free-his mental faculties unclouded, although far advanced on time's list in short, that he could conscientiously recommend the " antediluvian" beverage, as he termed it, to every one that sojourned in a tropical climate.

But I am not so utopian, as to expect that this salutary example will be generally followed; though it may lead a few to imitate it, till the constitution is naturalized, when the pleasures of temperance may probably induce them to persevere. At all events, the new comer should never exceed three or foup glasses of wine after dinner, or on any account, admit it to big lás bet als, unless excessive fatigue