L E T T ER X I I I .
On the Effect of the Climate of Surinam on different Constitutions.—
The best Method to preserve Life and Health.—Consequences of
extravagant Living^and Temperance.—Instances of Longevity in this
Colony.—The Climate particularly favourable to Females.—How the
Climate acts on Persons o f different Countries.
M y D e a r S i r , Paramaribo, February 6th, 1807.
H a v in g -given you-a description of the climate of Surinam, I
shall how proceed to state some observations, which I have had the
opportunity of making, upon the effect of this climate on different
constitutions. It is a happy circumstance, before a voyage to the
tropics is undertaken, when it is foreseen whether the person
will be much influenced by the change of the climate. But this
unfortunately does not seem to be sufficiently attended to in Europe.
A family wishing to carry on a commerce, or to settle some affaire,
in the tropics, often chooses among themselves the youngest, most
healthy, and strongest, to go to that country, thinking him the best
adapted to resist any attack of the climate; but by his plethorick
disposition he becomes more affected by the change in this country,
and whilst nature is gradually bringing on a crisis to mould him
to the climate, his strong constitution acts against it, and by a ,violent
effort he sinks into the greatest danger. On the contrary, a
weak constitution is mere pliable, and, therefore, not only passes
over easily the time of seasoning, but the climate in reality becomes
more beneficial to him, as I have not only experienced in myself,
but have even seen the good effect in many others, who have told
ine, that the climate agreed perfectly well with them. Youths of
about the age often or twelve, and persons of thirty-five years, and
Upwards-, frill likewise run very little hazard in this?climate.
By this description, it is not meant to discourage those who are
id the most vigorous state of health and spirits, to give over their intended
voyage to this part of the world, but only to recommend to
them a more particular attention to their constitution and mode of
living.
But the misfortune is, that when Europeans first come hither, the
great hospitality of the inhabitants of this country, and their cheerful
society, engages them so much in company, that they imperceptibly
fall into a course of free living, which proves' very injurious to. their
health. Many of the wealthy inhabitants of this country live in the
following manner r they take their breakfast as soon as they rise,
after which they begin to drink cordials, which are sometimes repeated
; then they sit down to a second breakfast, which consists of
several dishes’of roasted meat, fish, &c. &c. a pioportional quantity
of beverage is also taken, and at three o’clock a plentiful dinner is
served up, at which, is drank either claret or Madeira, or perhaps both.
Besides tea in the afternoon, punch is drank, which is not always
made very weak, and a copious supper closes the scene of luxury.
Now, if a person in Europe was to live in this manner, would he riot
be Considered as rashly endangering his health, and ruining his constitution
? But there are soinehere who pursue this practice, and yet
enjoy tolerable good health; their life, however, is always very precarious'
whifet those gentlemen who are far advanced in age, of whom
I enquired respecting their mode of living, assured me, that they
never had lived in sUch an extravagant mapner. I have witnessed
several persons, who were in apparent good health, soon taken dangerously
ill, but never %eard them lay the fault on the climate, instead
of- which;; thtiy!candidly confessed, that it was entirely their
own negleht^ 1 All this should certainly induce a new-comer to pay