Notes of a short address to the candidates at the opening of the Army Medical School at Netley, April 1st, 1875 / by J. Fayrer.

  • Fayrer, Joseph, Sir, 1824-1907.
Date:
[1875]
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Notes of a short address to the candidates at the opening of the Army Medical School at Netley, April 1st, 1875 / by J. Fayrer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    z6 Now, as to your mode of life in India, and indeed other hot and tropical countries, with reference to the preservation of health, I have not much more to say than that common sense and careful living are all j that are required. India means every variety of climate, from the hot j damp plains of Bengal to the dry arid plains of the north-west and j I unjab, or the cold rarefied atmosphere of the Hill stations; and you ; inust act accordingly. Temperance in all things; regularity of life and [ habits j avoidance of excessive, prolonged, or undue exposure to the direct rays of the sun and to, malarious influences, especially as they occur in certain localities ; attention tor clothing, which should consist mainly of light woollen materials, to protect you from chills, and equalise the temperature of the body; plenty of, but not too much, wonc; sufficient exercise; plain food, and extreme moderation in alco- nolle drinks of all kinds; and as little tobacco-smoking as possible— these precautions, if observed, will keep you in good health, and fit *or work for many years; and you will find, I think, as a general rule, that men in India work as hard or as harder than they do here, for, from the time you occupy a position of the least responsibility, work goes on j steadily increasing, and developing new motives to exertion. Of course, in such climates as those of India and the tropics, one is liable to sudden and serious attacks of disease; but, escaping these, as you may reasonably, with care, expect to do, it is wonderful how high a standard of health may be preserved even under the hardest work and the greatest exposure. The tendency is to suffer as much from mental as from physical strain, and as many break down from over- wrought brains as from physical exhaustion; but, fortified by such means as I have suggested, you may to a great extent bid defiance to both. I would repeat the advice that you should, if possible, avail yourselves, at reasonable periods, of the leave which the Government accords you to Europe. It is often said that the doctors and the indigo-planters, men who are most exposed, are the healthiest rnen in India. This is not, perhaps, altogether true; but it shows that the advantages of exercise, combined with mental occupation, are popu- larly recognised. And now a few words to those of you who are destined for the Navy and Army. Though I cannot profess to indicate all that you may look forward to so well as I can to your Indian colleagues, yet this much I may safely assert, that for you, too, an interesting field of work is open; and, though the variety may be less than in the Indian service, yet it is equally interesting and important. To you will be committed the care of the health 01 our soldiers and sailors, and of our military and naval stations at home and abroad. Many of you will work side by side with your Indian friends. In the event of war—and who can say how long we shall remain at peace ?—the treatment of our sick and wounded will ] also be your care. Toyou also it will fall to investigate the laws that govern the origin and diffusion of epidemic and other forms of disease^ and, ns your experience will be gathered in all quarters of the globe, your opportunities of studying the influences of climate will necessarily exceed those of all others, and will enable you to solve problems that are yet unexplained. Nor will your duties be limited to those of a purely military or naval character; for, though I am not sufficiently acquainted with all the details of your services to describe them, I know that there are many special appointments open to those who will aspire to them. In short, to whichever branch of the service you belong, you have before you an useful and honourable career, which v iil be useful and honourable just in proportion to your own applica- tion of the capabilities you possess. In no case, I fear, may you expect to acquire wealth. Were this your object, you should have chosen another profession; but competency, and the means of doing ustice to your families, and of supporting the position you attain, you nyay realise; and if so, and you feel that you have served your country well, and to the best of your ability advanced the knowledge of your profession and the bounds of science, you may be content, for you will have gained that which will bring you the truest happiness and the best reward. And now I must not detain you longer. I have already trespassed too much on the patience of all,-and I will conclude by wishing you all prosperity and success in your present and future career.