Health in Africa : a medical handbook for European travellers and residents, embracing a study of malarial fever as it is found in British Central Africa / by D. Kerr Cross ; with an introduction by Sir Harry Johnston.

Date:
1897
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Health in Africa : a medical handbook for European travellers and residents, embracing a study of malarial fever as it is found in British Central Africa / by D. Kerr Cross ; with an introduction by Sir Harry Johnston. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    same. A resident in the tropics should he always so clothed that he is proof against sudden chills from changes of temperature. Look upon the sun as an enemy, and never go into the direct rays without having the head covered by a pith helmet. If forced to stand for a short time, while bathed with perspiration, throw some extra garment over the shoulders and so avoid a chill. In fact, if you want to preserve your health in a changeable climate like that of Africa, you must to some extent be prepared to coddle yourself. The material of the dress is important.—Dress should always he chosen so as to maintain, as nearly as possible, an equable tempera- ture, retaining natural heat, and resisting external heat and cold. Cotton is admirably adapted to warm climates, except when the body is covered with perspiration. Linen, on the other hand, is very cold, does not absorb or retain moisture so freely as cotton, and does not soil so readily. Very often in Africa the skin is simply bathed in perspiration, even when the most ordinary duties take up the attention. It is therefore most necessary to guard against chills of every kind. I would therefore recommend that fine flannel be worn next the skin, by day and by night, in order, as far as possible, to maintain an equable temperature. If the wearing of flannel should tend to set up prickly heat, as it does in some constitutions, then a linen garment should be worn underneath the flannel to protect the skin. If one should be travelling on the hills in the cold season, an additional flannel shirt should be worn. This point settled, I would recommend that white cotton suits be worn in addition to the flannel under-garments. Colour influences the absorption of heat, and it is well known that white garments absorb heat least of all. A proper head-dress is an absolute necessity. It should be light in weight and white in colour, should afford shade to the eyes and covering to the back of the neck, and should allow a free current of air to pass over the top of the head. A good helmet is therefore as much as a man’s life may be worth when under a tropical sun. Suitable foot-gear is also a necessity. When the hot season is upon us, shoes are to be preferred to boots. Boots should be made of soft and pliable leather, and, while large and roomy, should be a good fit. In Africa it is important to protect the region of the abdomen from the constant chills.—For this purpose the flannel belt or “ KSmarband ” is usually worn. It should be made 10 inches broad, 6 feet long, and of the best unshrinkable flannel, and should encase the abdomen, being wound round the waist at least twice. It should be worn loose. If it is made narrow, and drawn