the strictest attention to his mode of living, fpr which the following
fuies may be recommended.
On his arrival at the colony, he should take care to get a lodging
in a healthy situation : it is not sufficient that the hpuse stand^iOn
a dry ground, but there must not be in its vicinity, particularly from
whence the tropical breezes blow, either swamps or wildernesses of
Woods j wherever this has not been attended to, the consequences
have proved fatal. There is a house which stands in a pleasant sir
tuation here, at the Hortus Surinainensis,_ and yet whoever takes a
lodging there, is certain of becoming dangerously ill. The last who
occupied it was Colonel Grosstone, and he died in consequence,
vmy much regretted on account o f his estimable character. It
is said, that his servant also fell sick. I went to , see this house,
with another gentleman, and it appeared to us, that it was only affected
by a field agacent to the garden, which, was tonneiiy
cultivated, but is lying now taUow ; the trenches are stopt and filled
up with rotten vegetables, producing, of course, a corrupt air which
is earned by the breeaes into the house. I t is better to sleep in the
upper part of the house, as the country is lqw, and a part of the
year damp ; experience shews the utility of this, as those inhabitants
who have ordered their negroes to sleep up-stairs, have,.since found
them remain in much better health. It is the custom here, in common
with other countries oftheTropics, tpsleep withinmosquito
curtains, bfit as they are .in general too dç^e, a n d , posquitoes.
cooauag in the same direction with the breeze, it is better to have in
the windows of tjae bed-room which, lie,tp the east, gauze frames*
and the mosquitoes which, msiy have happened to get into the room
can seop be driyen(qutf by fumgating it with some sugar or dry
oraqge »leaves, in fheevenmg just before the windows are shot.
;;t4oparticular; pare with regard to dress as likewise necessary, and
maqy -new-comers catch,severe colds by exposing themselves to a
current of air -after great perspiration; but the method thqy use
[ mm
here, of cooling their beverage might act,as a caution to them. A
; Wet qlpthi is> put(tound a decanter* w y ^ i s mademf^ pdronsiearth,
and this decanter is;put into a current of air, which cools the liquor
sUtorfe&gly.ftTltose who have &uflere:d.muohto^colds, will sometimes
fall into other'extremes* and clothe themse] vestentirely with flannel.
Itis; tone,that by tMftthey prevent theircatchingcQJd agam,hut then
they inci^seton vuhnitoesfeary! perspirafi©fi|JWhichi the close texture
of the flannel does not allow to. evaporate quickly.« Cotton, as a
produce of •the^Tro^iOSljadQd made,-into calicoes, may answer the
purpose of ^reventinf those from catching cold who are bom in this
^nntry, bhtifttseems not>sufficient >fhr. European constitutions;
a light worsted jacket next the skin an^ersl thfe puf Jjpse . best; astir
allows the auvjtp- penetrate sufficiently, and prevents any ill effect
from^hec;.perspiration, and over this, jacket;any toressftoan? be worn
witoout!injury,.i -
With respect to the general,diet; whoever will accustom himself
here to take the first thing, in the: molding a glass of cold cistern
water, will find ifce®ndijimimu<ahi to bis-health, and in a short time it
will proveiVery agreeable. But coldrbathtog is thetoost beneficial,
and a shower i bath is preferable to any other :method; tout when
this caUndt be had, bathing in a large tub;-and pouring on ' the
head a pail fufiiof water, will be sufficipnfa, fit is best to bathe toithe
morning beforesgoing out; and whodyeruses the cdldtoato dailfi
will find little reason to scomplain pf the debilitatifiglnfluencetof this
climate. Some gentlemen use warm! baths ; tout though they may
finfiiit i momentari ly comfortable, i b is oteerved*«lhatothey: are sooner
apt to catch cold. If a prickling heat appear,'ft. will be good 'to
have the hath milk warm, though the bathing-of the head, toe
stiff continued with .cold water.
The breakfast may be according to what a person, has been <accustomed,*
to in Europe;,’and if he has an appetite again a t< tenor
twelve o’clock, he has agood choiceof thetooslt delieibuslfuits; but
i s