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page 167 ---diseases---health---diet ---travel
advice---
The sting of
myriads of tormenting mosquitos, which is still more intolerable in gloomy damp days after great heat, contributes also to the
 development or increase of this disease. The cases are more rare in Rio,
where the Sarna, after having long existed in a chronical state, changes
to a generally diffused eruption, resembling the first stages of leprosy,
in which cases it is generally combined with syphilitic dyscrasy. The
remedies employed against it are, internally, lemonade and slight doses
of calomel, and externally, washing with a very weak warm rum and water,
bathing, and purgations.
Chronical diarrheas, passing into colliquation,
dysentary and lientery, and also dropsy, are common at Rio. The
diarrheas, which are generally caused by taking cold, and often are cured
in the first stage by drinking warm vinegar lemonade. Diabetes is likewise
observed here, but not so frequently as in cold countries; it is said
to have been remarked that the negroes are far less subject to this disease
than the whites and mulattoes, but the negroes suffer much more from elephantiasis. Rio has no endemic intermittent fevers; but the diseases readily
assume a certain periodic character, or fever soon follows on the least
disorder, in consequence of the activity of all the organic functions,
and is rapidly succeeded by an entire dissolution of the juices.
page 168 ---diseases---- croup---rheumatism----syphilis----medical
remedies---Public health---
How much the augmentation of all external stimulants, particularly warmth
and light, contributes in this climate to the acceleration of the animal
functions, and to consequent exhaustion, we clearly found by our own experience,
especially at the beginning of our residence, when the body was not yet
weakened by fatigue and sickness. Even when in the state of greatest repose,
and without the influence of other stimulants, our pulse was quicker than
in Europe: unfortunately
this effect was changed into the opposite, when we began to grow sickly
from the fatigues of our journey. This greater activity of the functions
is manifested in health as well as in sickness, by the quicker appearance
of the symptoms and the more rapid progress of the disorder. It is nothing
uncommon here, in Rio,
and in the tropical countries in general, to see an individual who but
a few days before was in full health, after suffering a short bout of
diarrhea, cholic, fever, etc., at the point of death, and in the last
stage of a putrid fever. Nothing but the speedy application of the most
certain and powerful remedies can then save him; and in this respect,
it may be said that the physicians here, more than in colder climates
must be not only ministers but magistrates of nature.
 
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