Notes on Haïti, made during a residence in that republic. T.1

Page 44

14

NOTES

ON

HAĂ?TI.

ground, under a burning sun, it is eminently unhealthy, and its insalubrity is not a little increased by the interruption that the sea-breeze, so appropriately called the Doctor in most tropical countries, meets with in its progress from the Island of Gonave, which will be seen by a reference to the map, blocks up the entrance to the bay. During the months of May, June, July, August, and September, the heat is most intense ; for a considerable time my thermometer reached 99° every day in theshade.* The consequence of these concurrent causes is mortal disease among new comers. Within a month after my arrival my principal servant died of yellow fever ; within three months one of the acting vice-consuls fell a victim to the climate, and every other individual of my family, including servants, (one of whom was a native of La Guayra,) were most seriously, if not dangerously, ill. The chief sufferers, in general, are to be found among the crews of foreign vessels. The climate and new rum are omnipotent. As an instance of the unfitness of Port-au-Prince for European constitutions, I may cite the fate of the French consul general's family. I believe that on arrival * Moreau St. Mery gives a catalogue, of fearful extent, of the diseases of every month in the year.


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