Transcribe Hornaday, W. T. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1877-07-26)

set in heavily in the middle of January is a total failure so far all over India. Consequently the country everywhere is unusually unhealthy, cholera and fevers are on the increase, and these Hills, almost derived of rain in any quantity are not healthy as if heavy rains were falling. Fevers here are not rare now, which is a new thing for this time of the year, and wholly contrary to programme. So I've had a touch of it, and last 9 days time all told, which makes my working months end on the 26th of each month instead of the 17th as heretofore. The more I think of it the more I am convinced that by the terms of our agreement I am laboring against great odds on this sickness question. When I am sick my time stops, medicine and doctors bills accumulate, and my long trip is lengthened by just so much. I am told, however, not to new any risks that endanger my health. I had thought with you that this could be done, but experience shows me that it is simply impossible. If I collect anything I must go into the forests. On the plains there is simply nothing. Theobold says, "I defy any man to come to India and do anything in the forests without getting sick more or less." By keeping out of the forests I could help my health. But