Fortunately, the dangers which menace health in the tropics may be guarded against. They may be greatly diminished by following certain rules of hygiene, especially as regards proper clothing, nourishment, and drinking-water, and the proper mode of living.
Suitable clothing for the tropics is such as protects the body from the effects of heat and from the rays of the sun, at the same time furthering the evaporation of perspiration and the throwing off of heat. The under clothes should, preferably, be made from fine, smooth cotton tricot, or from cotton material with moderately large meshes ; the coat and trousers (respectively the skirt and waist of women) should be thin and roomy, either in white or light colours ; the head should be covered with a tropical helmet made from cork or pith ; and, as a protection against mosquitoes, a light gauze veil should be worn around the neck. The shoes should reach above the ankles, for the ankle is a favourite spot for mosquitoes to bite. Canvas shoes, whitened with pipeclay, or shoes made of soft kid, are preferable. All such articles of dress as tend to retard the exhalation of the skin (such as stiff shirts, collars, cuffs, corsets, etc.) should be discarded. The neck and wrists should be bare, and the sleeves of the underclothing should, therefore, be short. To prevent taking cold, it is advisable to have the body covered during the night. Pyjamas, consisting of wide pantaloons and jackets, and made of cotton, flannel, or silk, are generally used as night-dresses.
With reference to food, it must be borne in mind that the muscular activity of the average person is generally much diminished when he lives in the tropics. In consequence of this, his desire for food is also lessened. If he does not take this into consideration, but continues his customary way of living, and takes too much albuminous food, he will impair his health, and his liver especially will suffer. With an increasing amount of work, an increasing amount of nourishment is required, as at home. In the tropics, as in the summer-time in temperate zones, there is less desire for carbohydrate and fatty foods ; and there is, therefore, a greater consumption of vegetable food. The appetite, which is affected by the heat, should be stimulated by a suitable and varied diet ; and the body should be given the necessary nourishment in the most appetising and digestible form. It is best, in a country where no cattle is raised and where northern
vegetables are not cultivated, to follow more or less the customs of the natives. Preserved foods should be eaten but sparingly, for they neither taste good nor benefit the body. Since heat reduces the activity of the intestine, there is great need of spices in the preparation of food in the tropics. Excessive eating of condiments, however, should be avoided. Nature provides an abundant and varied supply of fruits in tropical countries, and these are strongly to be recommended. Moderation, however, is to be the watchword in this as in other cases, for' excess may readily cause digestive disturbances and intestinal diseases.
Pure drinking-water is of great importance. When good water cannot be procured, one should make the available supply fit to drink by boiling it for from 15 minutes to half an hour, in order to kill micro-organisms which may he present, and which otherwise might cause abdominal typhoid, dysentery, or other diseases. Charcoal filters, and other similar devices, are not reliable ; for, in order to give good results, they must be cleansed frequently, and this is difficult to do. If the natural supply of water is unfit for use, it is advisable to drink mineral waters, tea, or coffee instead. Alcoholic beverages should be abstained from, for experience has taught that alcohol undermines the health more radically and quickly in tropical countries than in higher latitudes.
The mode of living should be regular in every respect, and all excess should be avoided. As for physical exercise, it may be said that too little is as harmful as too much. Although the white man cannot possibly perform any severe manual labour (such as, for instance, farming entails) in a tropical country, abundant physical exercise is necessary for the general bodily welfare. Gymnastic exercises, all kinds of sport, riding, bicycling, rowing, bowling, lawn-tennis, football, etc., are all suitable and recommend able occupations for the cool evenings.
Cleanliness and care of the skin by means of frequent baths are very important in warm climates for the preservation of health. Daily bathing is generally indulged in mornings and evenings, before breakfast and before supper. see also MALARIA ; PRICKLY HEAT ; TROPICAL DISEASES.