LIVING IN THE TROPICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 946, 18 April 1890, Page 9

LIVING IN THE TROPICS.

The force with which Major "Wissmann has been fighting tho coast Arabs in the malarious lowlands of Africa near Zanzibar, included 200 German soldiers and marines. A few years ago it would have been thought sheer madness to lead so many white men into such a pestilential atmosphere, and Wissmann’s experiment has been watched with solicitude. His men have indeed suffered severely, but at the same time surprising results have been attained in the gradual acclimatisation of those white men who have had their first taste of African lifa. If their leader had not himself learned by long experience the conditions under whichf a white man can best preserve his health and strength under the tropical sun, the list of deaths would probably have been much longer. In September last there was not a single serious case of fever among the Europeans. About one-third of them were suffering from malaria, though they were able to attend to their duties. Nearly two-thirds' of the white force were re-,, ported to be in good health. Consider-, ing that this region between Bagamoyo and the Usagara highlands has the name of being one of the most pestiferous regions in Africa, the comparatively good health of Wiesmann’s European force is an agreeable surprise. The regular use of quinine has something to do with it, but it is also due to the adaptation of diet and habits to the climatic conditions. When Wissmann returned last fall from the inland highlands, lie reached the coast in eleven days, though caravans occupy twenty-five days in making that journey. All his Europeans were in good health when they reached the sea. Those who have read the fearful stories Burton and others have told of the miasmatic belt through which they passed, can hardly credit Wisstnann’s report of the excellent condition of his men. It means simply that Europeans are in a measure solving tho problem of how to live in a trying tropical climate. They have bought their experience dearly, but, though they may never conquer all the dangers of tropical Africa, they are doing a great deal to mitigate them. When Stanley went to the Congo he thought, by perching his stations on the hills high above the river, to lessen the dangers from malaria. It was a fatal mistake ; for it was found that the winds and rapid changes of temperature breeded fever—and now the stations occupy lower and more sheltered sights. Thus in many ways lessons have been learned which are of inestimable importance.