Part 17

Travel in Latin America can be made comparatively safe, from a medical point of view, by the strict observance of a few common sense precautions. Perhaps the first thing to be considered is the question of water. With but one or two exceptions, drinking water is notoriously bad in all of these countries, being polluted and almost certain, if drunk, to develop, sooner or later, either typhoid or some other intestinal disorder. Credence should not be placed in the well-intentioned statement of the native that the water is good. Like their ancestors, through the continual drinking of the local water, they have become self-immunized to any form of contagion from its use. Because the water comes from snow-clad mountains does not insure its purity, either. Most mountain streams, long before they reach reservoirs, are used for washing clothes or bathing and become infected in this manner. It is obviously out of the question to boil all water prior to drinking and if you are obliged to take many trips to the interior or off the beaten paths of travel, bottled mineral waters are not always obtainable. Therefore it is wise for the purposes of such excursions to carry any of the well-known makes of pocket filter, which come especially made for such purposes. Let me take advantage of this opportunity to correct the erroneous idea entertained by so many of the laity that locally made aerated mineral waters are free from bacteria. They should be shunned as much as the local unboiled water. The best thing to do if you are going to these countries, is to have your system rendered immune to the typhoid bacillus, by having your family physician give you the anti-typhoid vaccination, such as is used in the American army and navy. There is but little inconvenience attending its administration and you can rest assured that after taking the treatment you will not contract typhoid fever. Drink bottled mineral water when possible. Its purity is certain to eliminate tendencies to either stomachic or intestinal troubles.

Pineapples, berries, melons or green uncooked vegetables such as radishes, cucumbers, onions, water-cress, lettuce, salad and the like should be avoided for the same reasons. Truck gardens wherein they are grown mostly use dirty water for irrigation purposes. Even the native is aware of this practice among many gardeners and I recall one man whose farm on the outskirts of a large South American city bears this announcement:—

“The vegetables from this place are not irrigated with water from the sewers.”

Cholera, a rare visitor to these lands, need not be feared, if you are careful in your diet and drinking water. Green vegetables, berries, melons, and fruits should be avoided in the event of an epidemic and only cooked vegetables eaten.

There is much small-pox, especially in communities where there is a large percentage of Indian population, but this need not be a cause for worry if one is vaccinated. A popular South American hotel, having had many cases of this disease among its patrons, has hanging in each room this sign:—

“Rooms disinfected when guests leave,”

in order to inspire confidence in its new clients. This sign might have as a companion, another one displayed in a leading Latin American hotel, reading:—

“Guests are requested not to spit through the mosquito netting.”

Yellow fever always exists in many of the towns of Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and most of the Mexican and Central American ports. It is due to the bite of a certain species of mosquito. By observing precautions, such as sleeping under a net and staying away from districts known to breed these insects, the chances for contracting this disease are materially minimized.

That bubonic plague is present in many localities cannot be denied. Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil have this disease more than any other countries of South America. It is caused by the bite of a specific flea. Daily baths have a tendency to wash away the germs deposited by this insect.

For the purpose of keeping away fleas, mosquitoes and other pests it is well to apply daily to the exposed portions of the body a solution of equal parts of spirits of camphor and oil of citronella, a pint bottle of which should form part of one’s traveling kit.

Leprosy need not be feared. My experience of several years in one of the largest leprosy hospitals in the world, in a country with many lepers among its inhabitants warrants me in saying positively that the probabilities of a temporary resident contracting this disorder are almost _nil_.

It is a wise precaution, for obvious reasons, when travelling in remote districts to carry your own pillow, sheets and bed-clothes, a hammock being preferable to a bed because more sanitary and easily conveyed.

Oranges, bananas, limes and the many other delicious tropical fruits need not be feared. You will meet persons who will warn you against them, but they do no harm when eaten in moderation.

Whiskey, wines and beer, especially in the warm climates are to be eschewed. They heat the blood and are over-stimulating. Every doctor will tell you that the possibilities of recovery from disease are always against the person who uses alcohol, and nowhere in the world is the truth of this more exemplified than in Latin America. In one hospital of which I was in charge in one of these lands, out of 47 cases of yellow fever, among foreigners, during an epidemic, 44 succumbed. Each man who died was an extreme user of alcohol in some form. Of the three recoveries one man was a teetotaler, the other two being occasional drinkers.

The old doctor’s advice to keep your head cool, your feet warm and your bowels normal in order to avoid sickness is as appropriate for Latin America as for anywhere else.

A small medical case containing calomel, quinine, soda-mint tablets, peroxide of hydrogen, a bandage, some aseptic gauze, and a packet of absorbent cotton is all that is needed for a trip. Symptoms of any disorder should not be ignored or made light of. If they persist be sure to call in the very best physician available.

APPENDIX LATEST STATISTICS AVAILABLE IN 1915 ABOUT SOUTH AMERICAN IMPORTS

Argentine

Articles. From United From United From From Total States. Kingdom. Germany. France. Imports. Automobiles $543,930 $430,530 $822,315 $2,252,835 $5,159,030 Bagging 13,025 3,299,705 68,130 5,230 8,355,140 Beams, iron 94,440 91,035 1,846,070 495,815 3,276,365 Beverages 46,690 169,155 168,350 129,525 1,149,360 Binder twine 2,729,950 10,655 5,835 8,760 2,765,130 Books and pamphlets 30,515 462,520 58,015 154,900 1,254,810 Book paper 7,395 61,275 947,850 2,900 1,154,760 Brick, paving 8,375 98,520 153,625 109,400 1,055,840 Bridge materials 66,905 776,810 110,240 3,265 997,670 Carriages and cars, accessories and parts of 64,550 350,550 406,335 389,360 1,504,605 Cement, hydraulic 13,545 640,520 258,135 752,880 3,989,340 Cheese 15,825 7,010 73,890 2,074,590 Chemical and pharmaceutical products: Candles, stearin 1,700 272,460 104,675 9,520 1,094,570 Medicinal preparations 340,680 153,065 206,685 1,154,280 2,191,620 Perfumery 27,550 206,740 86,690 1,043,180 1,411,500 All other 1,982,965 2,086,355 1,764,010 1,101,350 9,083,685 Cigars 32,045 21,605 20,935 8,685 1,415,630 Coal 782,910 23,642,425 381,320 25,047,240 Coffee 585 4,980 7,020 1,631,615 Cotton and silk goods 10,635 430,995 275,395 518,345 1,447,725 Cotton and woolen goods 75 682,520 303,845 76,075 251,842 Cotton goods made up 8,200 157,340 497,315 430,635 1,186,140 Cotton hose 750 22,000 1,101,325 223,015 1,407,220 Cotton laces $2,810 $559,200 $415,285 $123,525 $1,349,000 Cotton tissues: White 21,305 4,099,620 133,420 77,075 4,813,065 Unbleached (linen) 12,500 874,610 3,920 4,485 1,127,060 Printed 1,605 2,610,395 460,140 68,935 3,693,435 Dyed 9,370 4,377,675 920,095 244,910 10,315,680 Color not specified 3,015 534,595 170,910 121,190 1,059,655 Cotton yarn: Colored 2,705 111,845 129,475 20,195 1,003,695 Unbleached 70,735 326,310 52,430 46,420 1,508,790 Cotton goods, all other 301,675 2,568,815 1,064,295 619,455 6,632,860 Ducks 550 493,600 162,180 156,150 1,156,655 Dyes and colors 249,550 997,635 722,980 199,185 2,427,250 Dynamos and motors, electric 28,545 219,935 1,212,775 42,385 1,637,755 Electric and wire cable 102,885 1,205,515 1,227,695 96,465 3,087,700 Furniture, wooden 587,060 513,055 308,515 489,640 2,668,230 Glass and plain crystal 12,145 663,930 201,380 68,860 1,538,850 Harvesting machines 1,948,165 46,200 14 2,712,855 Household and cooking utensils. 52,450 89,910 741,430 95,940 1,210,210 Iron and steel wire, galvanized: Smooth— Up to No. 14 638,990 249,100 1,027,250 1,500 2,015,735 No. 15 and higher 625 53,430 13,590 465 75,945 Barbed 635,030 106,320 137,085 2,825 926,250 Twisted 3,599 16,485 3,410 27 25,300 Iron and steel wire, not galvanized: Up to No. 14 408,200 16,495 213,970 75 720,060 No. 15 and higher 19,645 2,905 15,975 175 41,395 Iron and steel wire, plated (with bronze copper, nickel, or tin) 79 5,750 27,630 307 35,605 Iron axles and wheels 87,685 1,156,005 7,750 1,256,735 Iron bars and sheets 408,135 656,150 2,489,430 80,800 6,288,590 Iron, galvanized 1,398,165 4,088,950 381,955 24,985 6,160,145 Iron, wrought 321,005 1,156,670 377,870 77,300 2,753,025 Jewelry, fine, except watches and loose precious stones 15,885 180,215 769,525 620,660 1,849,545 Leather and manufactures 1,283,105 758,510 688,340 792,230 3,766,540 Locomotives 1,847,135 293,845 627 2,188,660 Machinery, general 1,119,225 2,022,795 2,572,365 459,975 6,939,140 Machines, spare parts 1,132,290 684,510 692,340 119,950 2,909,925 Malt 59,385 1,074,280 Manufactures of copper and bronze 100,795 402,430 281,845 144,120 1,073,095 Manufactures of stone, earth, glass, etc. 170,240 987,185 2,050,820 616,460 4,667,250 Materials for port works 105 110,280 66,075 14,580 204,035 Materials for sanitary works 962,525 57,135 3,045 1,066,365 Motors: Windmills, with or without framework, and pumps 372,580 13,980 555 393,275 Other various 631,820 316,015 85,765 6,800 1,142,485 News print paper 727,970 85,595 603,725 7,735 1,610,380 Oil: Lubricating 1,301,930 787,995 63,980 10,815 2,518,350 Olive 146,075 3,645 5,240 143,525 4,748,915 Kerosene 2,289,115 156 2,289,275 Naphtha, unrefined 5,495,150 126,010 75,895 43 5,710,755 Pine, unplaned: White 1,728,450 140,350 11,773 23,160 2,130,015 Pitch 8,078,590 3,880 29,170 30 8,164,720 Spruce 1,662,050 76,925 50,635 14,065 3,689,605 Pipes, iron: Galvanized 229,180 966,955 83,565 3,205 1,294,550 Other 51,460 756,245 238,810 34,290 1,171,965 Railway coaches 117,730 1,073,510 1,191,240 Railway couplings, steel 136,585 485,835 397,810 2,480 1,147,350 Railway freight cars 558,855 2,650,155 74,190 16,095 3,812,510 Railway materials 132,810 4,152,660 237,460 93,345 5,013,430 Rice: Unhulled 30,685 286,055 Hulled 378 76,860 5,020 2,476,215 Sand for building 115 1,024,380 Sardines 516 27,130 26,120 44,485 1,031,425 Screws and nuts $170,230 $401,675 $156,050 $183,830 $1,061,980 Seeds: Alfalfa 482 155,145 73,230 740,945 Flax 1,020 100 1,335 Corn 332 1 100 1,115 Wheat 1,175 39 48 265 7,630 Other kinds 41,510 26,170 281,195 201,115 1,069,415 Silk 635 208,055 428,735 1,287,600 2,341,730 Steel rails 737,685 2,226,600 1,343,315 17,290 5,088,405 Spirits and cordials 12,070 462,545 44,365 1,685,810 3,183,410 Sugar: Refined 215 467,710 228,260 852,550 Other 1,669 1,110,785 1,575 1,117,385 Tea 230 306,100 18,930 374 1,072,030 Tin plate, unworked 345,530 673,230 5 67 1,036,860 Threshing machines with or without motor 1,182,175 179,385 119,385 97 1,517,030 Tobacco dip 95,545 2,153,045 6,285 520 2,348,005 Tobacco, leaf 378,260 19,495 82,675 4,615 3,485,160 Tramway materials 107,725 506,110 599,020 20,920 1,688,460 Watches: Gold 2,270 15,420 64,010 209,035 593,300 Other kinds 115,450 26,985 230,270 302,665 1,395,305 Wines 9,160 21,235 39,985 8,031,335 9,830,910 Woolen goods: Made up 4,150 235,295 586,865 504,855 1,418,170 Tissues, all wool 4,425 3,571,105 1,039,340 888,125 5,957,735 Mixed 3,245 2,018,030 441,055 133,225 2,799,150 Yerba, Brazilian 4,946,085 Imports by parcel post, etc. 3,070 609,945 839,485 944,510 3,308,795 All other articles 12,223,614 19,315,571 21,833,634 11,791,528 90,808,013 ——————————— ——————————— ——————————— ——————————— ———————————— Total $57,057,505 $114,515,800 $61,703,550 $36,301,925 $371,383,595

Bolivia

IMPORTS

Articles. Value. Animals, live: Cattle $302,553 Horses 482,528 Arms and ammunition 692,047 Breadstuffs: Cereals 111,462 Pastes, alimentary 72,617 Rice 194,541 Wheat flour 857,148 Candles 366,220 Cars and carriages: Railway cars 272,219 Other 102,944 Cement 148,292 Coal and briquettes 674,512 Cotton manufactures, not mixed with other material 1,684,088 Earthenware, tiles, and piping of, and porcelain 151,840 Explosives, including powder 452,490 Fish, fresh, including shellfish 125,027 Fruits 100,636 Gold, coined 107,082 Hats 447,937 Hides and skins, manufactures of 118,023 Instruments, musical and scientific 107,238 Iron and steel and manufactures: Beaten, drawn, and in sheets 348,456 Machinery and apparatus: Electric 339,731 Mining 446,881 Other and parts 633,095 Tools 225,340 Iron manufacturers 2,046,497 Jewelry: Genuine (of precious metals) 105,702 Other 104,271 Leather boots and shoes 155,088 Medicines, prepared 154,297 Oils, mineral, and products 86,315 Paints, colors, and varnishes 99,604 Paper and manufactures 386,503 Soap 97,209 Spirits, wines, and malt liquors: Beer, cider, and “chicha” 80,160 Spirituous liquors 644,226 Wines 380,603 Sugar, refined 1,195,665 Textile manufactures: Laces, embroideries, and trimmings 188,666 Knitted goods 174,418 Wearing apparel, ready-made, except waterproof 763,364 Wood and manufactures: Unmanufactured, except dyewood 248,087 Manufactures: Furniture 130,702 Other 75,794 Wool, pure 689,861 All other articles 1,887,017 ——————————— Total $19,258,996

EXPORTS

Bismuth $836,366 Coca 286,417 Copper 1,318,389 Rubber 6,032,892 Silver: Crude $1,675,940 Coined 168,204 Tin 23,432,658 Wolfram $202,165 All other articles 1,104,816 ——————————— Total $35,057,841

Brazil