82 SELLING LATIN AMERICA 
rarity of the atmosphere. While it is exceed 
ingly unpleasant and may cause palpitation of 
the heart, shortness of breath, bleeding at the 
nose and ears, and other disagreeable symp 
toms, it seldom results fatally. Rest until ac 
climated and the use, under a physician’s di 
rection, 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 car 
ried in most of the passenger trains to give 
immediate relief in case of danger from moun 
tain 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 peo 
ple 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