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NOTES UPON HEALTH RESORTS.
1193 passenger ships of the Hamburg-American line are moored. Here we found the Kdnig Wilhelm II, and the Meteor NOTES UPON HEALTH RESORTS. side by side and gaily bedecked with flags. The members of the first group joined us at this point, together Thus the with many invited guests from Hamburg. JAMAICA AS A HEALTH RESORT. saloons of both these beautiful steamers were filled with (BY OUR SPECIAL COMMISSIONER.) people who all heartily enjoyed the excellent lunch which was served. Afterwards we went over the huge emigrant ship the President Lincoln, but it must be coniu fessed that this visit to these ships was disappointing. As ITINERARY.-PORT ANTONIO.-THE NORTHERN COAST.were to demonstrations of we treated good culinary guests MONTEGO BAY. accomplishments ; as technicians in respect to sanitaIN a previous communication the general climatology and tion we saw and learnt little or nothing. Being much interested in naval architecture from the sanitary topography of Jamaica have been considered, and the plan point of view, the warming and ventilating, for instance, adopted by your Commissioner in the remaining articles of cabins, I was anxious to travel homewards by one will be to give first a brief description of the itinerary made of these great German liners, embarking at Hamburg and and then to describe in general terms the mineral springs,
landing
at
Southampton.
When, however, inquiries
were
made as to whether there would be facilities for examining these matters on the road the answer was that the members of the congress would be received on board the ships in the docks and shown over. This was done, but, of course, there was neither the time nor the opportunity to enter into
sanitation, public health, food-supply and water-supply of
and other matters which invalid and the tourist.
Jamaica,
are
of
importance to the
Itinerary.
The visitor to Jamaica has in a comparatively small compass the opportunities of passing his days amidst very technicalities. varied conditions of scene and climate, as the sea-coast, the Close by we saw a large laboratory with every convenience, uplands, and the inland plains all present their own features. where all meat landed is carefully examined. From each hog, It is the two former of these localities which will attract I was assured, no less than 28 different samples were taken the health seeker and having regard to this point of and passed under the microscope. It is impossible to visit view I have it best to deal mainly with the thought these laboratories, with their rows of microscopes, their seaboard and hill country, leaving the plains to those innumerous attendants, their varied and sometimes costly terested in the economics of Jamaica. I was much helped in apparatus, without being profoundly impressed by all planning an itinerary by the kindness of several residents and this elaborate machinery and organisation. There is, under their advice I decided to make first across the island indeed, much to be learnt here, especially by the Americans for the north coast at St. Ann’s Bay, then to drive along the and the British who are decidedly behind the age in regard seaboard until Montego Bay was reached, and thence to to the inspection of meat and vegetables. turn southwards to the hill district of Manchester, visiting In the evening all the members of the International Mandeville and the Milk River mineral baths, and finally the Congress of Hygiene and Demography who had par- Santa Cruz mountains, which have the reputation of enjoying ticipated in this excursion to Hamburg were enter- the finest climate in the island, before returning to Kingston. tained in the town hall. There were no after-dinner A word must first be said about the means of travelling in speeches but all assembled in the great hall and standing Jamaica. The country is so mountainous, with such an in front of a throne listened to various addresses, mostly unbroken succession of parallel ridges, that the construction spoken in German by our hosts who were naturally desirous of the two lines of railway which it owns has necessitated the of welcoming us, of paying us a few compliments, and of expenditure of much time and engineering skill. Kingston, saying a word or two in favour of their own city. situated at about the central point of the eastern half of the Dr. Mosny briefly replied in French for the French southern seaboard, is the starting-point of the two lines which and Sir Shirley F. Murphy in English for the British have a common track to Spanish Town whence one branch contingent. As everyone was standing and everyone runs up to Port Antonio on the eastern side of the northern was tired with the hard day’s sightseeing the necessity of coast, striking the sea at Annotta Bay and running eastward curtailing the speeches was obvious. When they were over to the terminus, whilst the other branch runs north-west, the guests invaded the various rooms and sat down to a very passing through the Manchester hills and climbing up substantial supper and good wines. Undoubtedly the city of and up through the wild region known as the Cockpit what is lavish more, country until Hamburg displayed hospitality and, it drops down again to the sea at great skill in organising the receptions, the excursions, and Montego Bay, some 120 miles west of Port Antonio. the numerous visits made to its varied and interesting institu- A third short track leaves Spanish Town and at tions. Certainly, all who took part in this excursion must present has its terminus at E warton, about 20 miles north have been well pleased and all joined sincerely in the of the old capital, and it was from this town that I set out thanks expressed for the reception which had been given into the middle of Jamaica by road. to them. Port Antonio. proceeding to describe the journey a word may first WIGAN MEDICAL SOCIETY.-The annual meeting beBefore said about Port Antonio, which was omitted from the of the above society was held on Oct. 8h, when the although it is perhaps the best known and most following were elected office-bearers for the coming year : itinerary, advertised watering-place in Jamaica. It is practically an President, Mr. 0. T. Street; ex-President, Dr. Ferdinand American holiday resort and it owes its prominence to the Rees; committee, Dr. M. Benson, Dr. R. P. White, Mr. fact that it is the port of entry of a line of boats which bring C. M. Brady, Mr. T. M. Angior, and Mr. William Berry ; down from New York and take bananas back honorary secretary, Dr. J. Blair ; hononary treasurer, Mr. to thepassengers United States. Like very many other places in E. H. Monks. Jamaica, it is set amid scenes of great natural beauty and THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE.-The first in addition it has the convenience of a very large hotel, ordinary meeting of the Laryngological Section will be held situated on a peninsula which is nearly an island and worked at 20, Hanover-square, on Friday, Nov. lst, at 5 P M. on American lines at a somewhat high tariff rate but, as I am Members desirous of exhibiting cases or specimens are informed, in an extremely efficient manner. Indeed, the comrequested to notify the same to the senior secretary not later parisons which I heard made between this hotel and the than Friday, Oct. 25th. Members would greatly facilitate principal hotel in the neighbourhood of Kingston, the Engthe business of the meeting by forwarding, on or before lish port of entry, with respect to boarding arrangements and Oct. 25th, a short precis giving the more important facts service, were by no means entirely favourable to the latter, relating to each case or specimen to be exhibited, and draw- which is a pity in view of its many advantages in the ing attention to the points on which discussion is invited.- matter of site, swimming-bath, golf course, and so on. The first meeting of the Odontological Section of the Sea-bathing can be enjoyed at Port Antonio, the bathRoyal Society of Medicine, session 1907-08, will be held at ing place being reached by boat ; the town has a 20, Hanover-square, W., on Monday, Oct. 28th, when the good water service and the sanitation conforms with President, Mr. J. Howard Mummery, will deliver his European-or rather American-requirements. But to coninaugural address. A paper will be read by Mr. John sider that Port Antonio epitomises the attractions of Humphreys on the Structure of the Teeth of Fossil Fishes. 1 No. I. was ’J’he paper will be illustrated with lantern slides. published in THE LANCET of Oct. 5th, 1907, p. 985.
1194 Jamaica is entirely wrong. There is
one undoubted disPort Antonio is subjected, it is situated in one of the wettest districts of the island ; and rainy days are likely to interfere with the enjoyment of a holiday there. On referring to the excellent rainfall atlas of Jamaica, produced by Mr. Maxwell Hall, the Government meteorologist, under the auspices of the Institute of Jamaica, I find that the annual average of 30 years’ rainfall at Port Antonio is well over 100 inches, the fall in January and the last five months of the year running from 10 to 14 inches per month. in May and June the fall is over 15 inches, in April and July from six to nine inches, whilst in February
advantage
to which
I may further preface the account of my tour by saying that the northern seaboard has great possibilities to attract winter visitors, although along the stretch of it over which I journeyed one town alone, Montego Bay, has as yet been developed in a degree at all approaching its deserts, and that town, given but a moderate amount of money and enterprise, should have a successful future, for it is a delightful spot. With this preliminary account of the first stage of my journey a word is due as to the method of its performance, for, as the map shows, the railway stops short at Ewarton. The means of road transit in Jamaica is the travelling buggy, a lightly built, hooded vehicle
FiG. 1.
FiG. 2.
11
Doctor’s Cove,"
Montego Bay.
FIG. 3.
On the northern coast of Jamaica.
and March alone is it under five inches, when the visitor drawn by a pair of horses, or in some country districts rely on a good number of rainless days. The contrast by mules ; the horses, although not much to look at, in this matter presented by Montego Bay to the westward as a rule are capable of going hour after hour at a will be set forth in due course. It is only fair to Port steady trot which few English draught horses, however Antonio to say that much rain falls in the night ; but during well-looking, could rival. There are exceptions to the rule the day the downpours are very sudden, coming up with little on the road, but a respectable livery keeper will generally warning from the hills, and an unwary visitor may well get supply horses equal to the work required, which is more a soaking in a few minutes. At the time of my visit in than can be said of the owners of the miserable ponies September the hotel referred to above was closed and as which draw the ramshackle little buggies or "bases" Port Antonio has been fully described elsewhere I decided plying for hire in the streets of Kingston, The discomforts to visit other towns on the northern seaboard and to find of buggy travelling in this island are much alleviated by the out personally what attractions and accommodation they excellence of the roads; they are well planned, well offer for the traveller and the invalid, metalled, and well kept, the main roads by the Government can
1195 and the by-roads by the parochial authorities ; many miles of the main roads are constructed on the mountain sides, climbing in loops and zigzags up 3000 feet and more, but often with the gradients so arranged that a good pair of horses -can take nearly all the journey at a trot. The beauty of these roads is invariably great, as on either side tropical vegetation runs riot in countless variety of trees and bushes and climbing plants, and palms, cocoanut, banana, and bread-fruit trees, with the waving plumes of the bamboo groves and the stately solitary cotton trees pass bv in endless procession, their splendid greens being strikingly relieved here and there by the flaming scarlet blossoms of a poinziana tree, the vivid red lamps of the beautiful akke, or the golden globes of the orange and mango trees. On these mountain roads the hill rises steeply on the one side, whilst on the other is a drop down to the valley below ; but the most timorous traveller need have no fear of this. for the mountain side is so thickly .grown with trees and " bush" as to form a barrier scarcely less efficient than a stout stone wall; and when the summit
one of those startling transformations which travelling so delightful to the tourist in Jamaica we suddenly entered the famous Fern Gully and for two miles or so drove through a tropical gorge of exceeding beauty with numberless ferns climbing up steep rocks to a grove of splendid trees. Soon after leaving the gully we came
until with render road
down to the seashore at Ocho Rios and turned westward the coast. It was here that I first realised the fitness of the description of Jamaica as " the Riviera of the West," as the sea suddenly came into sight, a mirror glowing in a hundred magic blues, colours such as are inseparable from tropical waters over coral reefs; from the sand rose groves of cocoanut palms, whilst varied vegetation covered the rocks that jutted out in picturesque promontories, and on the other side of the road the Roaring River ran merrily along. It was a picture such as I was to see repeated many times in driving along the coast but never more prettily than at Ocho Rios. The town has no special accommodation for visitors, the chief centre of the district being
along
FiG. 4.
Montego Bay.
ridge is reached he will enjoy such a sweeping St. Ann’s Bay, some five miles along the coast. Although prospect of mountains, valleys, and plains, and often of the intensely hot in summer, this is a place that is well worth a winter visit. There is a very fair hotel standing upon a sea as well, as will reward the most arduous ascent. hill above the town and there is one of the finest steep The Nortlaern Ooast. water-supplies in Jamaica from the Roaring River, the
of the
It was under a scorching September sun that I left Ewarton station and started my buggy travelling over such a road, climbing for three miles with an ascent of 2000 feet over Mount Diabolo, from the summit of which one of the best known views in the island is seen, and then descending more gradually to the plain where nestles the little township of Moneague, as peaceful a habitation as the noise-racked city dweller could wish to discover. 1 stayed only for lunch and to change horses, but there is a good hotel available for tourists who wish to spend a quiet time in a restful district which, save that apple orchards are replaced by orange trees, large oaks by the splendid silk cotton trees, and pine clumps by occasional tall palms, might be situated in a rolling English park country. For many miles I drove on through this scenery
falls of which are within an easy drive of the town. The lower levels of the town have been properly drained. The district of St. Ann’s has been called the garden of Jamaica and this little town, the Santa Gloria of Columbus, should have a good prospect of development when the advantages of the Jamaican Riviera are more widely known. Even as it is, it would afford a pleasant and safe wintering place for any invalid needing a warm climate and loving natural beauty rather than social pleasures. My next day’s drive along the coast to Falmouth impressed me still more with the potentialities of this northern seaboard, although not until I reached Montego Bay on the following day did I find any place offering even fair accommodation to the visitor unless he could arrange for it in a private house. This middle coast is quite undeveloped from
1196 the
point of view of attracting visitors, but several such spot: the natives more than they fear the shark) has ever been Runaway Bay (where I was told there is a private sanato known to come. The bottom is of white sand with a. rium), Dry Harbor, and Rio Bueno have the natural advantage! few patches of coral rock, and the depth is perfectly The stretcl L graded so that the bather can lie down close in shore for delightful little winter watering-places. from St. Ann’s Bay to Montego Bay is about 58 miles, man3 with his body completely immersed. At one place a pointof which are along the sea, and unless the visitor waits to: of rock juta out on which is a diving board over some ninea coastal steamer he must either travel as I did by buggy o] feet of water which is so clear that the bottom can be else drive back to Ewarton, return by train to Kingston, anè plainly seen. The temperature of the water is usually there change to the Montego Bay line and cover its wholE about 78° to 80° F. and there is no limit to the time length. There is an alternative driving road to that whict spent in bathing so far as safety from chill is concerned. I took along the coast; it loops inland, traversing thE There is good dressing accommodation and the charge for "parishes"of St. Ann’s and Trelawny. If this route bE bathing is moderate. The bay affords good fishing and to taken the journey may be broken at Browns Town, which the naturalist is quite a treasure-house. Montego Bay has the reputation of being one of the most beautiful would make a capital yachting station for boats of the and healthy settlements in the islands, a fact of which smaller ratings ; it already boasts a motor-boat. There I was assured by several medical men who speak highly are opportunities also for polo playing. At present the of its dry air and even climate for the treatment ot hotels are small, but they are quite capable of developpulmonary disease ; the accommodation is quite good and ment. The place possesses a great attraction for invalids the town is reached by excellent roads, although there is no in its equable warmth and still more in its dryness. The railway near it at present. If this northern side of the island following figures are from Mr. Maxwell Hall’s atlas. Average were served by a line looping inland and connecting the annual rainfall over 30 years, 40 to 50 inches; January, terminuses of Montego Bay and Port Antonio it would do 3 to 5 inches ; February and March, 1 to 2 inches ; April and much to open it up as a health and pleasure resort, but local May and July, 3 to 5 inches ; June, 1 to 2 inches; August, economic conditions do not warrant such an enterprise at September, October, and November, 3 to 5 inches ; and present. The coast road which I took is not convenient for December, 6 to 9 inches. This may be compared with the travellers who like to be comfortable, as at Falmouth, where corresponding figures given for Port Antonio. I am indebted the journey is broken, the accommodation is extremely bad. to Dr. G. W. Thomson for the following facts about the Falmouth is a town in Trelawny parish over which Ichabod climate from November to April. The temperature duringis written large; there is an extravagant court-house flanked the day is about 760 to 78°, occasionally lower. rhe pre. by streets of large deserted-looking houses where in the days vailing winds are N.E. and E.N.E (i.e., sea breezes). There when sugar fetched Z60 a ton the planters gave liberal are slight showers of rain during these months; the soil is entertainments, but now the place is a shadow of its of porous limestone and the roads are dry within an hour of former self. My stopping place was a dreary barn, innocent heavy rain. The houses are as a rule dry and well ventilated of bedroom curtains or comfort, with a dark well for but the sanitary arrangements are often primitive. He further a bath, sanitary arrangements both public and primitive states that there is no endemic disease prevalent and that and a bed literally like a board. It would be impossible neither mosquitoes nor malaria are prevalent in the winter for an invalid or a delicate lady to put up with such months. It was with real regret that after a few days’ stay I accommodation. The hospitality which was shown to took the train to leave Montego Bay for the hill districts. me by Dr. C. A. Thomson, the district medical officer, did Surely British enterprise might do for Montego Bay what much to mitigate the discomfort of my stay. The water- American methods have done for Port Antonio. supply of the town is drawn from a well by a large"Persian R.M.S. Port Kingston, homeward bound, Oct. 1st. wheel"with an auxiliary force-pump and stored in a big [Note.-In the first article of this series (THE LANCET, open stone reservoir in the centre of the town. Falmouth Oct. 5th, 1907, p. 985), on the seventh line from the bottom may revive some day if this northern Riviera be properly the figures 5000 should read 4000.] developed, but its activities as a commercial centre seem (To be continued.) to belong to the past. The drive from this town to is about 22 miles and it passes by Rose Montego Bay Hall, one of the most interesting houses in Jamaica and well worth a visit as an object-lesson of how sugar MANCHESTER. planters used to live in the slave days. The mahogany carved staircase and panellings and the polished dancing (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) floor would grace well an old English mansion-house, although Rose Hall is now deserted and falling into decay. Memorial to the late Professor J. Dreschfeld. It stands on a hill open to the full sea breeze ; it is surrounded by the ruins of an extensive garden and it has a A REPRESENTATIVE meeting of the medical profession and It seems a great pity that this the staff of the fine view out to sea. University of Manchester was held last week, magnificent old building should not be rescued from the presided over by Vice-Chancellor A. Hopkinson, to discuss state into which it has fallen, for it might make an excellent the steps that should be taken with regard to the proposed winter hotel or sanatorium. Any traveller along this road memorial to the late Professor Dreschfeld. It was, after many should obtain permission to visit it and it is within a drive suggestions had been made, finally resolved that an influential of Montego Bay. committee, consisting of members of the medical profession Montego Bay. and laymen of Manchester, should be appointed to invite subMontego Bay, as has been said, is connected by rail with scriptions and to arrange for a memorial which should take Kingston. The bay itself is very beautiful, with its long hill the form of a University of Manchester scholarship in mediboundary sweeping away to the west, its palm-grown sandy cine open to the children of those engaged in the medical shores and the cluster of coral islands set in its waters. The profession. Particulars as to the scholarship were to as
town is of a fair size, but it is not in the town itself that the visitor should stay; the best hotels and private houses are set up on the hills behind it; at the hotel on Spring Hill, where I stopped, I found comfort and attention, good food and sanitation, a large bath, and a reasonable tariff. The town has a good, though hard, river watersupply and excellent milk can be obtained. Montego Bay has the reputation of being a very hot place. All the northern seaboard is hot in the summer months, but it is as a winter resort that it should find its future prosperity. A valuable asset of this town is its bathing place, known as Doctor’s Cove, which serves literally as a daily tonic for inhabitants and visitors. It is situated nearly a mile from the town and forms an habitual meeting place, men bathing in the morning, ladies at noon, whilst mixed bathing is permitted at 4 o’clock. The cove is protected by a coral reef some 200 yards out, inside which no shark or barracouta (dreaded by
be left to the committee. The Vice-Chancellor and several of the gentlemen present spoke eloquently of Dr. Dreschfeld and of his distinguished work in connexion with the University. Sir Felix Semon, speaking as one who had known him for 25 years, told of his friend’s great pride in the pathological laboratory, his great modesty, and his love for Manchester. His renown, he said, went far beyond England and the obituary notices which had appeared in foreign newspapers had shown that in France, Germany, and America he was considered an accomplished pathologist and Sir Felix Semon said in concluan accomplished physician. sion that Professor Dreschfeld’s " whole interest was centred in the city of Manchester and that something should be done not only by the medical profession but by the public at large to keep his memory green."" There are, no doubt, many who are grateful for the help in their suffering that Dr. Dreschfeld was able to give who will respond generously to this appeal, for it must be remembered that the services of a
landing
at
Southampton.
When, however, inquiries
were
made as to whether there would be facilities for examining these matters on the road the answer was that the members of the congress would be received on board the ships in the docks and shown over. This was done, but, of course, there was neither the time nor the opportunity to enter into
sanitation, public health, food-supply and water-supply of
and other matters which invalid and the tourist.
Jamaica,
are
of
importance to the
Itinerary.
The visitor to Jamaica has in a comparatively small compass the opportunities of passing his days amidst very technicalities. varied conditions of scene and climate, as the sea-coast, the Close by we saw a large laboratory with every convenience, uplands, and the inland plains all present their own features. where all meat landed is carefully examined. From each hog, It is the two former of these localities which will attract I was assured, no less than 28 different samples were taken the health seeker and having regard to this point of and passed under the microscope. It is impossible to visit view I have it best to deal mainly with the thought these laboratories, with their rows of microscopes, their seaboard and hill country, leaving the plains to those innumerous attendants, their varied and sometimes costly terested in the economics of Jamaica. I was much helped in apparatus, without being profoundly impressed by all planning an itinerary by the kindness of several residents and this elaborate machinery and organisation. There is, under their advice I decided to make first across the island indeed, much to be learnt here, especially by the Americans for the north coast at St. Ann’s Bay, then to drive along the and the British who are decidedly behind the age in regard seaboard until Montego Bay was reached, and thence to to the inspection of meat and vegetables. turn southwards to the hill district of Manchester, visiting In the evening all the members of the International Mandeville and the Milk River mineral baths, and finally the Congress of Hygiene and Demography who had par- Santa Cruz mountains, which have the reputation of enjoying ticipated in this excursion to Hamburg were enter- the finest climate in the island, before returning to Kingston. tained in the town hall. There were no after-dinner A word must first be said about the means of travelling in speeches but all assembled in the great hall and standing Jamaica. The country is so mountainous, with such an in front of a throne listened to various addresses, mostly unbroken succession of parallel ridges, that the construction spoken in German by our hosts who were naturally desirous of the two lines of railway which it owns has necessitated the of welcoming us, of paying us a few compliments, and of expenditure of much time and engineering skill. Kingston, saying a word or two in favour of their own city. situated at about the central point of the eastern half of the Dr. Mosny briefly replied in French for the French southern seaboard, is the starting-point of the two lines which and Sir Shirley F. Murphy in English for the British have a common track to Spanish Town whence one branch contingent. As everyone was standing and everyone runs up to Port Antonio on the eastern side of the northern was tired with the hard day’s sightseeing the necessity of coast, striking the sea at Annotta Bay and running eastward curtailing the speeches was obvious. When they were over to the terminus, whilst the other branch runs north-west, the guests invaded the various rooms and sat down to a very passing through the Manchester hills and climbing up substantial supper and good wines. Undoubtedly the city of and up through the wild region known as the Cockpit what is lavish more, country until Hamburg displayed hospitality and, it drops down again to the sea at great skill in organising the receptions, the excursions, and Montego Bay, some 120 miles west of Port Antonio. the numerous visits made to its varied and interesting institu- A third short track leaves Spanish Town and at tions. Certainly, all who took part in this excursion must present has its terminus at E warton, about 20 miles north have been well pleased and all joined sincerely in the of the old capital, and it was from this town that I set out thanks expressed for the reception which had been given into the middle of Jamaica by road. to them. Port Antonio. proceeding to describe the journey a word may first WIGAN MEDICAL SOCIETY.-The annual meeting beBefore said about Port Antonio, which was omitted from the of the above society was held on Oct. 8h, when the although it is perhaps the best known and most following were elected office-bearers for the coming year : itinerary, advertised watering-place in Jamaica. It is practically an President, Mr. 0. T. Street; ex-President, Dr. Ferdinand American holiday resort and it owes its prominence to the Rees; committee, Dr. M. Benson, Dr. R. P. White, Mr. fact that it is the port of entry of a line of boats which bring C. M. Brady, Mr. T. M. Angior, and Mr. William Berry ; down from New York and take bananas back honorary secretary, Dr. J. Blair ; hononary treasurer, Mr. to thepassengers United States. Like very many other places in E. H. Monks. Jamaica, it is set amid scenes of great natural beauty and THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE.-The first in addition it has the convenience of a very large hotel, ordinary meeting of the Laryngological Section will be held situated on a peninsula which is nearly an island and worked at 20, Hanover-square, on Friday, Nov. lst, at 5 P M. on American lines at a somewhat high tariff rate but, as I am Members desirous of exhibiting cases or specimens are informed, in an extremely efficient manner. Indeed, the comrequested to notify the same to the senior secretary not later parisons which I heard made between this hotel and the than Friday, Oct. 25th. Members would greatly facilitate principal hotel in the neighbourhood of Kingston, the Engthe business of the meeting by forwarding, on or before lish port of entry, with respect to boarding arrangements and Oct. 25th, a short precis giving the more important facts service, were by no means entirely favourable to the latter, relating to each case or specimen to be exhibited, and draw- which is a pity in view of its many advantages in the ing attention to the points on which discussion is invited.- matter of site, swimming-bath, golf course, and so on. The first meeting of the Odontological Section of the Sea-bathing can be enjoyed at Port Antonio, the bathRoyal Society of Medicine, session 1907-08, will be held at ing place being reached by boat ; the town has a 20, Hanover-square, W., on Monday, Oct. 28th, when the good water service and the sanitation conforms with President, Mr. J. Howard Mummery, will deliver his European-or rather American-requirements. But to coninaugural address. A paper will be read by Mr. John sider that Port Antonio epitomises the attractions of Humphreys on the Structure of the Teeth of Fossil Fishes. 1 No. I. was ’J’he paper will be illustrated with lantern slides. published in THE LANCET of Oct. 5th, 1907, p. 985.
1194 Jamaica is entirely wrong. There is
one undoubted disPort Antonio is subjected, it is situated in one of the wettest districts of the island ; and rainy days are likely to interfere with the enjoyment of a holiday there. On referring to the excellent rainfall atlas of Jamaica, produced by Mr. Maxwell Hall, the Government meteorologist, under the auspices of the Institute of Jamaica, I find that the annual average of 30 years’ rainfall at Port Antonio is well over 100 inches, the fall in January and the last five months of the year running from 10 to 14 inches per month. in May and June the fall is over 15 inches, in April and July from six to nine inches, whilst in February
advantage
to which
I may further preface the account of my tour by saying that the northern seaboard has great possibilities to attract winter visitors, although along the stretch of it over which I journeyed one town alone, Montego Bay, has as yet been developed in a degree at all approaching its deserts, and that town, given but a moderate amount of money and enterprise, should have a successful future, for it is a delightful spot. With this preliminary account of the first stage of my journey a word is due as to the method of its performance, for, as the map shows, the railway stops short at Ewarton. The means of road transit in Jamaica is the travelling buggy, a lightly built, hooded vehicle
FiG. 1.
FiG. 2.
11
Doctor’s Cove,"
Montego Bay.
FIG. 3.
On the northern coast of Jamaica.
and March alone is it under five inches, when the visitor drawn by a pair of horses, or in some country districts rely on a good number of rainless days. The contrast by mules ; the horses, although not much to look at, in this matter presented by Montego Bay to the westward as a rule are capable of going hour after hour at a will be set forth in due course. It is only fair to Port steady trot which few English draught horses, however Antonio to say that much rain falls in the night ; but during well-looking, could rival. There are exceptions to the rule the day the downpours are very sudden, coming up with little on the road, but a respectable livery keeper will generally warning from the hills, and an unwary visitor may well get supply horses equal to the work required, which is more a soaking in a few minutes. At the time of my visit in than can be said of the owners of the miserable ponies September the hotel referred to above was closed and as which draw the ramshackle little buggies or "bases" Port Antonio has been fully described elsewhere I decided plying for hire in the streets of Kingston, The discomforts to visit other towns on the northern seaboard and to find of buggy travelling in this island are much alleviated by the out personally what attractions and accommodation they excellence of the roads; they are well planned, well offer for the traveller and the invalid, metalled, and well kept, the main roads by the Government can
1195 and the by-roads by the parochial authorities ; many miles of the main roads are constructed on the mountain sides, climbing in loops and zigzags up 3000 feet and more, but often with the gradients so arranged that a good pair of horses -can take nearly all the journey at a trot. The beauty of these roads is invariably great, as on either side tropical vegetation runs riot in countless variety of trees and bushes and climbing plants, and palms, cocoanut, banana, and bread-fruit trees, with the waving plumes of the bamboo groves and the stately solitary cotton trees pass bv in endless procession, their splendid greens being strikingly relieved here and there by the flaming scarlet blossoms of a poinziana tree, the vivid red lamps of the beautiful akke, or the golden globes of the orange and mango trees. On these mountain roads the hill rises steeply on the one side, whilst on the other is a drop down to the valley below ; but the most timorous traveller need have no fear of this. for the mountain side is so thickly .grown with trees and " bush" as to form a barrier scarcely less efficient than a stout stone wall; and when the summit
one of those startling transformations which travelling so delightful to the tourist in Jamaica we suddenly entered the famous Fern Gully and for two miles or so drove through a tropical gorge of exceeding beauty with numberless ferns climbing up steep rocks to a grove of splendid trees. Soon after leaving the gully we came
until with render road
down to the seashore at Ocho Rios and turned westward the coast. It was here that I first realised the fitness of the description of Jamaica as " the Riviera of the West," as the sea suddenly came into sight, a mirror glowing in a hundred magic blues, colours such as are inseparable from tropical waters over coral reefs; from the sand rose groves of cocoanut palms, whilst varied vegetation covered the rocks that jutted out in picturesque promontories, and on the other side of the road the Roaring River ran merrily along. It was a picture such as I was to see repeated many times in driving along the coast but never more prettily than at Ocho Rios. The town has no special accommodation for visitors, the chief centre of the district being
along
FiG. 4.
Montego Bay.
ridge is reached he will enjoy such a sweeping St. Ann’s Bay, some five miles along the coast. Although prospect of mountains, valleys, and plains, and often of the intensely hot in summer, this is a place that is well worth a winter visit. There is a very fair hotel standing upon a sea as well, as will reward the most arduous ascent. hill above the town and there is one of the finest steep The Nortlaern Ooast. water-supplies in Jamaica from the Roaring River, the
of the
It was under a scorching September sun that I left Ewarton station and started my buggy travelling over such a road, climbing for three miles with an ascent of 2000 feet over Mount Diabolo, from the summit of which one of the best known views in the island is seen, and then descending more gradually to the plain where nestles the little township of Moneague, as peaceful a habitation as the noise-racked city dweller could wish to discover. 1 stayed only for lunch and to change horses, but there is a good hotel available for tourists who wish to spend a quiet time in a restful district which, save that apple orchards are replaced by orange trees, large oaks by the splendid silk cotton trees, and pine clumps by occasional tall palms, might be situated in a rolling English park country. For many miles I drove on through this scenery
falls of which are within an easy drive of the town. The lower levels of the town have been properly drained. The district of St. Ann’s has been called the garden of Jamaica and this little town, the Santa Gloria of Columbus, should have a good prospect of development when the advantages of the Jamaican Riviera are more widely known. Even as it is, it would afford a pleasant and safe wintering place for any invalid needing a warm climate and loving natural beauty rather than social pleasures. My next day’s drive along the coast to Falmouth impressed me still more with the potentialities of this northern seaboard, although not until I reached Montego Bay on the following day did I find any place offering even fair accommodation to the visitor unless he could arrange for it in a private house. This middle coast is quite undeveloped from
1196 the
point of view of attracting visitors, but several such spot: the natives more than they fear the shark) has ever been Runaway Bay (where I was told there is a private sanato known to come. The bottom is of white sand with a. rium), Dry Harbor, and Rio Bueno have the natural advantage! few patches of coral rock, and the depth is perfectly The stretcl L graded so that the bather can lie down close in shore for delightful little winter watering-places. from St. Ann’s Bay to Montego Bay is about 58 miles, man3 with his body completely immersed. At one place a pointof which are along the sea, and unless the visitor waits to: of rock juta out on which is a diving board over some ninea coastal steamer he must either travel as I did by buggy o] feet of water which is so clear that the bottom can be else drive back to Ewarton, return by train to Kingston, anè plainly seen. The temperature of the water is usually there change to the Montego Bay line and cover its wholE about 78° to 80° F. and there is no limit to the time length. There is an alternative driving road to that whict spent in bathing so far as safety from chill is concerned. I took along the coast; it loops inland, traversing thE There is good dressing accommodation and the charge for "parishes"of St. Ann’s and Trelawny. If this route bE bathing is moderate. The bay affords good fishing and to taken the journey may be broken at Browns Town, which the naturalist is quite a treasure-house. Montego Bay has the reputation of being one of the most beautiful would make a capital yachting station for boats of the and healthy settlements in the islands, a fact of which smaller ratings ; it already boasts a motor-boat. There I was assured by several medical men who speak highly are opportunities also for polo playing. At present the of its dry air and even climate for the treatment ot hotels are small, but they are quite capable of developpulmonary disease ; the accommodation is quite good and ment. The place possesses a great attraction for invalids the town is reached by excellent roads, although there is no in its equable warmth and still more in its dryness. The railway near it at present. If this northern side of the island following figures are from Mr. Maxwell Hall’s atlas. Average were served by a line looping inland and connecting the annual rainfall over 30 years, 40 to 50 inches; January, terminuses of Montego Bay and Port Antonio it would do 3 to 5 inches ; February and March, 1 to 2 inches ; April and much to open it up as a health and pleasure resort, but local May and July, 3 to 5 inches ; June, 1 to 2 inches; August, economic conditions do not warrant such an enterprise at September, October, and November, 3 to 5 inches ; and present. The coast road which I took is not convenient for December, 6 to 9 inches. This may be compared with the travellers who like to be comfortable, as at Falmouth, where corresponding figures given for Port Antonio. I am indebted the journey is broken, the accommodation is extremely bad. to Dr. G. W. Thomson for the following facts about the Falmouth is a town in Trelawny parish over which Ichabod climate from November to April. The temperature duringis written large; there is an extravagant court-house flanked the day is about 760 to 78°, occasionally lower. rhe pre. by streets of large deserted-looking houses where in the days vailing winds are N.E. and E.N.E (i.e., sea breezes). There when sugar fetched Z60 a ton the planters gave liberal are slight showers of rain during these months; the soil is entertainments, but now the place is a shadow of its of porous limestone and the roads are dry within an hour of former self. My stopping place was a dreary barn, innocent heavy rain. The houses are as a rule dry and well ventilated of bedroom curtains or comfort, with a dark well for but the sanitary arrangements are often primitive. He further a bath, sanitary arrangements both public and primitive states that there is no endemic disease prevalent and that and a bed literally like a board. It would be impossible neither mosquitoes nor malaria are prevalent in the winter for an invalid or a delicate lady to put up with such months. It was with real regret that after a few days’ stay I accommodation. The hospitality which was shown to took the train to leave Montego Bay for the hill districts. me by Dr. C. A. Thomson, the district medical officer, did Surely British enterprise might do for Montego Bay what much to mitigate the discomfort of my stay. The water- American methods have done for Port Antonio. supply of the town is drawn from a well by a large"Persian R.M.S. Port Kingston, homeward bound, Oct. 1st. wheel"with an auxiliary force-pump and stored in a big [Note.-In the first article of this series (THE LANCET, open stone reservoir in the centre of the town. Falmouth Oct. 5th, 1907, p. 985), on the seventh line from the bottom may revive some day if this northern Riviera be properly the figures 5000 should read 4000.] developed, but its activities as a commercial centre seem (To be continued.) to belong to the past. The drive from this town to is about 22 miles and it passes by Rose Montego Bay Hall, one of the most interesting houses in Jamaica and well worth a visit as an object-lesson of how sugar MANCHESTER. planters used to live in the slave days. The mahogany carved staircase and panellings and the polished dancing (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) floor would grace well an old English mansion-house, although Rose Hall is now deserted and falling into decay. Memorial to the late Professor J. Dreschfeld. It stands on a hill open to the full sea breeze ; it is surrounded by the ruins of an extensive garden and it has a A REPRESENTATIVE meeting of the medical profession and It seems a great pity that this the staff of the fine view out to sea. University of Manchester was held last week, magnificent old building should not be rescued from the presided over by Vice-Chancellor A. Hopkinson, to discuss state into which it has fallen, for it might make an excellent the steps that should be taken with regard to the proposed winter hotel or sanatorium. Any traveller along this road memorial to the late Professor Dreschfeld. It was, after many should obtain permission to visit it and it is within a drive suggestions had been made, finally resolved that an influential of Montego Bay. committee, consisting of members of the medical profession Montego Bay. and laymen of Manchester, should be appointed to invite subMontego Bay, as has been said, is connected by rail with scriptions and to arrange for a memorial which should take Kingston. The bay itself is very beautiful, with its long hill the form of a University of Manchester scholarship in mediboundary sweeping away to the west, its palm-grown sandy cine open to the children of those engaged in the medical shores and the cluster of coral islands set in its waters. The profession. Particulars as to the scholarship were to as
town is of a fair size, but it is not in the town itself that the visitor should stay; the best hotels and private houses are set up on the hills behind it; at the hotel on Spring Hill, where I stopped, I found comfort and attention, good food and sanitation, a large bath, and a reasonable tariff. The town has a good, though hard, river watersupply and excellent milk can be obtained. Montego Bay has the reputation of being a very hot place. All the northern seaboard is hot in the summer months, but it is as a winter resort that it should find its future prosperity. A valuable asset of this town is its bathing place, known as Doctor’s Cove, which serves literally as a daily tonic for inhabitants and visitors. It is situated nearly a mile from the town and forms an habitual meeting place, men bathing in the morning, ladies at noon, whilst mixed bathing is permitted at 4 o’clock. The cove is protected by a coral reef some 200 yards out, inside which no shark or barracouta (dreaded by
be left to the committee. The Vice-Chancellor and several of the gentlemen present spoke eloquently of Dr. Dreschfeld and of his distinguished work in connexion with the University. Sir Felix Semon, speaking as one who had known him for 25 years, told of his friend’s great pride in the pathological laboratory, his great modesty, and his love for Manchester. His renown, he said, went far beyond England and the obituary notices which had appeared in foreign newspapers had shown that in France, Germany, and America he was considered an accomplished pathologist and Sir Felix Semon said in concluan accomplished physician. sion that Professor Dreschfeld’s " whole interest was centred in the city of Manchester and that something should be done not only by the medical profession but by the public at large to keep his memory green."" There are, no doubt, many who are grateful for the help in their suffering that Dr. Dreschfeld was able to give who will respond generously to this appeal, for it must be remembered that the services of a