Perhaps the health of no city in the world is so much talked about by
people who know nothing whatever of the subject, as Rome. We meet with
many visitors entertaining all sorts of curious ideas of the health of
Rome--what they may and may not do; and when we ask them their
authority they cannot give any, but "they have heard so." There seem
to be mysterious ideas and impressions floating about that get lodged
in some minds no one knows how. People get ill in Rome, of course,
just as in any other place; but more than half the sickness is caused
through their own imprudence, such as getting hot and going into cold
places, and going "from early morn till dewy eve" without rest and
refreshment. In all hot climates certain precautions should be
observed, and then there is no fear.
We ourselves have lived many years in this much-abused climate, never
knowing any illness, and enjoying far better health than when residing
in London. O ye rain, mud, and fog!
The well-known Roman physician, Dr. C. Liberali, M.D., in his
"Hygienic Medical Hand-book for Travellers in Italy," says:--"The
climate of Rome is in the highest degree salubrious and favourable to
all, but especially to delicate persons; but they should follow the
advice of a skilful physician of the country."
People rush through Europe at express rate, eat all sorts of things
that they are unused to at unusual hours, over-exert themselves,
change the whole course of the living to which they have been
accustomed, get ill, and then say, "It's the climate of Rome."
There is no doubt that malaria fever does exist in the neighbourhood
of Rome, but only during the three hot months; and as there are no
visitors at Rome then, they are not likely to get it. It does not walk
about the streets seeking whom it may devour, as some people suppose.
The fever visitors get is ague fever, like that known in the Fen
districts, and this is invariably taken through imprudence.