On preservation of health in India / by Sir Joseph Fayrer.

  • Joseph Fayrer
Date:
1880
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On preservation of health in India / by Sir Joseph Fayrer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/40 page 17
    / 6>y 17 west wind, the thermometer stood in shade 104°, in house 83°; behind the tattie 68°. The direct action of the sun, or of a very high tempera- ture in a damp atmosphere, whether by day or night, in some cases causes very dangerous symptoms, as I have already stated, often resulting, after partial recovery, in permanent injury to the cerebro-spinal system. Those, especially, who are debilitated or intemperate, are in danger, as is often sadly illustrated in the hot oppressive nights of May and June in close rooms, in railway carriages, and the like, in Bengal and other parts of India. In the dryer atmosphere, where the natural refrigerating powers of the body are lowered by disease or intemperance, many succumb during the hot winds, though less frequently in the case of those who live carefully and take ordinary pre- cautions. With regard to diet, I have only to say that it should be plain and simple : for new arrivals it is better to abstain from much animal or stimulating food, with the view of avoiding plethora, dyspepsia, mal-assimilation and conges- tion of the already overtaxed liver and eliminating organs. Whilst enjoining moderation, I do not mean that I advise you to copy the natives of the country entirely in their food: you cannot altogether change your mode of living or the character of your aliment. Your stomach will no more obtain from the diet of a Hindoo all that is necessary for nutrition, though it may contain it, than it could in other circumstances from the blubber that delights whilst it nourishes an Esquimo. Habit, in these things, becomes hereditary, and our machinery is not adapted for sudden changes. But the principle is sound, and the food should be modified to suit it to changed circumstances. As a general rule, people eat too much in India—more than they can assimilate, or is needed for nutrition. The consequence is, disordered digestion, faulty assimilation, disordered liver, bowel complaints, and the presence of effete matter in excess in the blood. Take a cup of tea before your morning ride or walk if you will; a plain breakfast of tea, coffee, bread and butter, eggs, or even a
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