Those who read this catalogue of diseases with attention, will find that the greater part of them proceed either from too great heat, or from catching cold. Some kinds of boils and ulcers, which break out on the legs during the rainy season, are difficult to be cured; while there are others, on the contrary, which cannot be healed during the summer. The women, who lead an indolent life, and do not take sufficient exercise, are tormented with convulsions, spasms, and other hysteric symptoms. I have often seen some of these women start suddenly up in the middle of mass, when the bell was rung; run up and down in the church, and begin to dance as if frantic. Those who were not acquainted with the cause of this singular behaviour, and did not know that it proceeded from hysteric affections, might have believed that the women were possessed by the devil. After jumping and capering for some time, the blood resumed its former circulation; the corrupted juice, which had occasioned the stoppage, were in part thrown off by perspiration; the nerves recovered the necessary tone, and the women became tranquil and easy. This kind of dance is called _Tullunu_; and the agitation of the body occasioned by it is named _Tullel_. Such persons should be made to beat unshelled rice; bark and the cold bath should be prescribed for them; and they should, above all, be cautioned to avoid every thing that tends to disquiet or disturb the mind[229]. People who complain of a weakness of the stomach and nerves are accustomed in the morning to chew a little opium, which they say strengthens the nerves and promotes digestion. This custom, however, is in reality highly pernicious; for those who acquire a habit of chewing opium can never renounce it; and if not supplied with it, they suffer horrid pain; fall into fainting fits, and lie as if dead. I was acquainted with several persons who always, at table, took a small dose of opium, and yet enjoyed good health. It mitigates the too great fermentation of the animal juices, as well as too great tension of the nerves, against which, in this hot climate, it is impossible to use too many precautions. For this reason the Mahometans, who, as is well known, have a plurality of wives, are accustomed to employ opium when they wish to enjoy the company of their females, lest the impulse of nature, being too strong, should prove prejudicial to health. However useful opium may be under such circumstances, its effects are highly dangerous when a large dose of it is taken dissolved in lemon juice, or any acid solvent. When prepared in this manner it renders men bloodthirsty; converts them into savage beasts; and inspires them with such fury, that they would rather suffer themselves to be cut to pieces than give up the weapon which they have in their hand. The desperadoes who allow themselves to be intoxicated by opium, dissolved in this manner, are called _Ammochi_; and are either Nairs or Mahometans, who have resolved to