XXVI
HEALTH.
to Cimiez. Many invalids make the mistake of leaving the Riviera
too soon, and thus lose all the progress they have made during
the winter, through reaching home in the unfavourable transition
period between winter and spring. It is better to spend April and
May at some intermediate station, such as Pallanza or Lugano.
Good opportunities for sea-bathing are offered at many points
on the Mediterranean coast of N. Italy, such as Cannes, Nice,
Alassio, Savona, Pegli, Spezia, Viareggio, and Venice. The Me¬
diterranean is almost tideless; it contains about 41 per cent of
common salt, a considerably higher proportion than the Atlantic;
its average temperature during the bathing-season is 71 ° Fahr.
The bathing-season on the Ligurian coast begins in April, or at
latest in May, and lasts till November, being thus much longer
than the season at any English seaside-resort.
Most travellers must in some degree alter their mode of living
whilst in Italy, without however implicitly adopting the Italian
style. Inhabitants of more northern countries generally become
unusually susceptible to cold in Italy, and therefore should not omit
to be well supplied with warm clothing for the winter. Woollen
underclothing is especially to be recommended. A plaid should be
carried to neutralise the often considerable difference of temperature
between the sunshine and the shade. In visiting picture-galleries
or churches on warm days it is advisable to drive thither and walk
back, as otherwise the visitor enters the cool building in a heated
state and has afterwards no opportunity of regaining the desirable
temperature through exercise. Exposure to the summer-sun should
be avoided as much as possible. According to a Roman proverb, dogs
and foreigners (Inglesi) alone walk in the sun, Christians in the
shade. Umbrellas, or spectacles of coloured glass (grey, concave
glasses to protect the whole eye are best), may be used with advantage.
Blue veils are recommended to ladies. Repose during the hottest
hours is advisable, and a moderate siesta is often refreshing.
Great care should also be taken in the selection of an apartment.
Carpets and stoves are indispensable in winter. A southern aspect
in winter is an absolute essential for delicate persons, and highly
desirable for the robust. The visitor should see that all the doors
and windows close satisfactorily. Windows should be closed at night.
Health. English and German medical men are to be met with
in the larger cities, and as already mentioned in most of the winter¬
ing-stations of the Riviera. The Italian therapeutic art does not
enjoy a very high reputation in the rest of Europe. English and
German chemists, where available, are recommended in preference
to the Italian, whose drugs are at once dearer and of poorer quality.
Foreigners frequently suffer from diarrhoea in Italy, which is gener¬
ally occasioned by the unwonted heat. The homoeopathic tincture
of camphor may be mentioned as a remedy, but regulated diet and
thorough repose are the chief desiderata.
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