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Show 52 4. Avoid spiritous liq11o..rs and salted meats. A few glasses of good wine, to those who have been in the habit of using it, can do no harm. 5. I would recommend every one to take from two to four grains of sulphate of quinine, the first thing in the tnorning, in a glass of wine, while on the river. Should you be detained in Panama, take a sirnilar dose once or twice a week. This is the adviee of the most eminent physicians in England. 6. Do not sleep out of your boat, unless you happen to reach a settlement at night; bear the heat, bear the musquitoes, do anything rather than expose yo_urself to the night air, which is the source of every illness in that climate. 7. There are two places on the river Chagres, from whence a road leads to Panama. Gorgona is the first at which you will arrive. Cruces is about five miles higher up. Your boatman will probably try to induce you to disembark at the former place; do not be persuaded to do so. It is further from Panama-the road is worse-the beasts are worse and dearer :-make them take you to Cruces. . 8. Take special care that your baggage be reduced into 1ts smallest possible compass. A mule load consists of • two trunks, one on each side of the animal, and you can put a bag or case between the two. The whole weight of the cargo not to exceed 230 lbs. Do not take large chests: _ t~ey have to be placed crossways on the mule, cost double, and from the narrowness of the path stand a fair c~ance of being knocked to pieces agai;st the rocky s1des. · 9. ~he riding mules will be hired to you with saddle and br1ddle, and the cargo beasts with their packs .. so that you need hot provide yourself with either. Th; proper I ) 53 price is $4 50 for. the one, and $4 for the latter ; resist g1v1ng more. 10. There is but one hotel in Panama · the accommo .. dation it affords is wretched and ruinousiy dear the first char~e being $4 a day: there are, however, ma~y families who receive lodgers for $2 per diem, or even for less· these you will find out by inquiry of any respectable for: eign resident, of. whom there are several. D~ not attempt to camp out, or hve under tents; they have no idea of the climate who suggest such a proceeding. Even during the months of January, February and March, which are dry and comparatively pleasant, the attempt wonld amount to madness. 11. The Patriotic doubloon is worth at least $19 in Panama; do not take less for it ; the integral parts of the coin, of course, are valuable in the same proportion. 12. Bear in mind these general rules. Avoid the sun· keep within the house during the day; esc hew fruits' even wh en r1. pe; oranges in moderation may be excepted.' Do not touch the oysters ; they are very tempting, but from an intermixture of copper, are almost certain to produce cholic. Wear flannel next to the skin, by day and night. Be civil and courteous to the natives, and ~ they will do anything for you." |
