Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-01-28
IMPORTATION TO AMERICANS

In the PhiliPpines.-Giren Col.
Jones, Commanding the First
Idaho Volunteers, U. S. Infantry,
by One Who KnoWs Conditions
in that Climate.
Ignorance concerning the climate in
which we live and precautionary meas
ures for preventing disease in all its
forms, Is the cause of the great number
OF sick, which at first assumed such AN
alarming character, and which, if not
attended to in proper manner, will
produce fatal results. or the climate
and in formulating system which
ought TO be employed as preventative
means, will speak in this notice,
which is written solely with the object
Ofproducing among the Americans, who
will have to reside here temporarily or
permanently, better ideas of how to
conserve their health.
The archipelago, being situated in
the inter-tropical zone, has climate
healthy enough, although the heat is at
. constantly high temperature, and the
atmosphere is heavily charged with
humidity owing to the evaporation from
the sea, rivers aud lakes, which abound.
The maximum temperature is about SO
degrees centrigrade,w bile the minimum
is not below l6 degrees centrigrade.
There are three seasons OF the year
in the Philippines. The Northerns,
called thus because during the months
OF December, January and February,
the period embraced by this season,
winds occur, is when the lowest tenn
perature Is felt. 1t is comfortable to
wear then an outside covering. The
warmest season, covering the month of
March, April and May and early days
OF June follows. During this period
the very high temperature exposes one
70 COMPOSITIONS and hemorrhages. The
effect OF the hot sun upon the head re-
suits, sometimes, in delerium, or infla-
nation of the tissues around the brain.
An excess can stifie respiration and pro-
duce asphyxiation. recommend for
these months light clothing and straw
hat. An undershirt of cotton to absorb
and facilitate perspiration should be
worn also. Undergarments should be
changed as soon as wet with perspira-
tion, to avoid the effects of draughts.
One should not engage in physical work
from IL o'clock in the morning until
O'Clock in the afternoon, which hours
ought to be utilized for rest. Refresh
ments, such as lemonades, orangeades
etc, should be used. If it becomes nee
essary for one to go out during these
hours of excessive heat, he should take
. covering known in this country by
the name OF sanbong, which keeps the
head cool and tends to prevent conges-
tion. At the beginning of the rainy
season lasting from the middle of June
through July, August, September, Oc-
tober and November until December,
the very humid season commences,
which is caused By the great quantity
OF water falling and Immediately eyap-
Grating. 1t is convenient then to use
fiannels, and once the clothes are wet,
they should be removed. the skin rubbed
with alcohol, and dry apparel put on.
After shower is over, the windows of
the house should be closed in order to
prevent the entrance of dampness and
yapors which produce paludic fevers.
At night one ought not to sleep in the
open air, or go out with the head un-
covered.
Health is kept easily in this country
" one eats and drinks well, but not to
excess because perspiration is absolute
ly necessary. One should take the
pains to find enioyments also. Foods
should be wholesome, such as beef,
mutton, and goat meat, deer, chicken,
pigeons, ducks and white fish. To much
spices, such as mustards pepper and
nutmegs should not be used. Cows milk.
goats milk and eggs are very nutricious
koOuS anu at the same Time easily d.
gested. Vegetables also may be used,
such as potatoes, native sweet potatoes,
pbe, gabe, as we'll as greens, lettuce,
chickory, cabbage, pumpkins. Corn
should be used only when ground.
Now rice and pimpig produce dysentery.
The good fruits are pineapples, bananas,
mangoes and chico. When one has a
desire to eat: he should always eat, be-
cause 1t is not unusual to suffer with a
disease peculiar to this country which
causes the loss of appetite and later
pains In the stomach, terminating in
absolute absence OF desire to eat.
Alcohol is disasterous in the Philip
pines. 1t can, however, be used in
small quantity and without repetition,
because without knowing it its immod-
crate use soon reaches the state of COM
plete domination, which produces de-
lerium tremens and insanity. Beer OF
good quality, used moderately, does not
prodnce the harm Of rum, coanae and
gin. WhiSkey and apudernite In their