82  SELLING  LATIN  AMERICA

rarity  of  the  atmosphere.  While  it  is  exceedingly ­
  unpleasant  and  may  cause  palpitation  of
the  heart,  shortness  of  breath,  bleeding  at  the
nose  and  ears,  and  other  disagreeable  symptoms, ­
  it  seldom  results  fatally.  Rest  until  acclimated ­
  and  the  use,  under  a  physician’s  direction, ­
  of  some  heart  stimulant,  are  all  that
is  necessary  to  restore  the  patient  to  his  normal
state.  Stout  persons  are  apt  to  suffer  more
than  others  and  should  exert  themselves  as
little  as  possible.  Compressed  oxygen  is  carried ­
  in  most  of  the  passenger  trains  to  give
immediate  relief  in  case  of  danger  from  mountain ­
  sickness,  the  train  crew  being  instructed
as  to  its  administration.
The  population  of  Bolivia  is  estimated  at
2,300,000,  but  no  census  has  ever  been  taken,
and  it  is  doubtful  if  it  has  more  than  1,500,000
inhabitants.  Fully  fifty  per  cent,  of  its  people ­
  are  docile,  full-blooded  Indians,  living
the  most  primitive  life  and  speaking  their
own  dialect  with  a  few  head  men  familiar
with  Spanish,  which  is  the  official  or  state
tongue.  The  Beni,  or  white  Indians  of