PREFACE. THIS "Medical Guide for Anglo-Indians" has hitherto appeared in connection with "The European in India,” but the author, acceding to a wish expressed by many Anglo-Indian friends, has decided upon issuing the work in a separate form. Advantage has been taken of the opportunity thus afforded,, to add some supplementary remarks on the Management of Children in India, a subject in itself of great importance, but upon which, the space available under the previous arrangement, prevented the author's entering into such details as to render the work practically useful to parents. Guided by his own experience, as well as by that of others, the author has endeavoured to point out as clearly and as concisely as possible, those rules which must be attended to, in order to preserve the health (physical as well as moral) of young children, from the period of birth, up till the time when a change to another climate, has become desirable. Some special remarks on the causes, symptoms, and appropriate treatment of the more common ailments of infantile life are added, with a view to rendering the work still more complete as a medical guide for families in India. Bayswater, London, 1874. R. S. MAIR, M.D., etc. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. THE first questions put by a European with an early prospect of Indian life before him, almost invariably refer to the climate, and to the mode of living he should adopt while under its influence. The following pages have been written with the object of answering these questions, by pointing out what influence the climate does produce on the human constitution, and those principles of individual hygiene, embracing such subjects as food, drinks, exercise, etc., that must be attended to, in order to ensure a fair measure of health. It cannot be too strongly impressed upon the minds of those who desire to maintain their health, that the influence of the climate may be materially modified or lessened, and that many of the diseases to which Europeans are liable, may be guarded against or prevented, by the exercise of no more than ordinary care; and if the principles and rules here laid down are fairly carried out, as they easily may, the amount of health, which the European will enjoy in the tropics, will amply reward him for any little trouble which attention to them will involve. In addition to the chapters on climate and individual hygiene, others have been added on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of those diseases and accidents that are most commonly met with. The author must guard the reader against the idea that, in treating such subjects, he wishes every one to constitute himself his own doctor under all circumstances. On the contrary, he would earnestly impress upon all, seldom or never to rely upon their own judgment, when professional aid is within reach. B |