Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-24
PULMONARY COMPLAINTS.

PULmONAht COmPLAINTs.
There are but few residents Of the northern
States who are aware how much these COM
plants may be alleyiated, if not cured, by
residence in Florida Some twenty years
since, spent winter in st. Augustine, and
experienced all the advantages that beautiful
climate presents over the North. During the
winter ice was formed not more than once,
and that less than the thickness of half
dollar. While the thermometer in New York
was ten above zero, was enioyng an almost
summer heat Indeed, except the inconyeni-
ence of rain, there was no day during winter
when an outside coat would have been desira-
BILE on horseback even for an invalid. The
oranges remained in great perfection on the
trees the whole winter and continued to i'm
prove their delicious flavor till spring
| The expenses of living are very small-a
family of half dozen persons could live in St.
| Augustine on $1,000 per annum, who would,
in New York, expend $4,000. The oysters
were remarkably fine, and SO abundant as to
be had for the mere cost of a laborer to bring
them from the beds in sight of my lodging
The fish, also, were delicious and abundant.
House rent, for about $50 to $75 year. with
ample accommodation for keeping poultry,
horse cow, &c, at very small expense and
as to clothing, supply for summer and winter
should be provided, and a residence there avail
ed of to wear out all the old stock, as nothing
like unnecessary extrayagance is encouraged
by the people, who are uniformly kind and
considerate for the sick Over one hundred
and sixty invalids from New York State were
among the number who availed themselves of
the Florida climate in one winter, and general
ly were benefited, in some cases cured, and in
others their lives for years prolonged.
Some cases came under my observation, of
nvalds, suffering under severe cough, who
had extended their lives by a constant resi-
dence, probably for ten years, being able to
exercise daily in the open air, while at tho
slant confinement, in doors, and thereby short
ened the days of the patient. A family going
to Florida, and wishing to study the best econ
omy, should bargain with a sailing vessel to
land them on the st. John River, if not at St.
ugustine-taking care to provide themselves
with six months supply of hams corned beef
vinegar flour, &c. The poultry yard, horse
and COW, can be supplied there; also the vege-
table garden. The commander of the United
States garrison had fine garden, and every
day in the year could have green peas upon
his table, with all other fresh vegetables at the
same time, one-half the inhabitants occasional
ly imported their supply from Charleston, rath-
er than be troubled with their cultivation at
their own doors.
Often have seen in January and February
a file of soldiers in one corner of the garden,
gathering. new potatoes, green peas, lettuce,
&c., and in the opposite corner another party
planting the same kinds. The city is about
one-eighth of mile wide, bounded by the
ocean, and mile long, containing three
churches viz: Catholic, Episcopalian, and
Presbyterian-all very respectable eongrega-
| tons There was only one small dry-goods
shop, and some three or four family grocers,
which constituted about all the trade in the
place. About twice month, sailing packet
arrived from Charleston, which gave more joy
and interest to the poor invalds than ever the
arrival of one of the Collins steamers gave to
the New Workers. A land mail came twice a
week, and the invalids generally assembled
around the Post Office for an hour or two be-
fore its arrival, to get letters from their families
and friends.
Whoever goes there for health, and there is
no other inducement, should carry all needed
resources with him, such as books, with an
| ample supply of newspapers to come by every
mail | was planted there suddenly, and
.aken from the most active business. For the
first month, this new life of inactivity Of mind
and body destroyed both appetite and sleep
afterwards became reconced, and enjoyed it
xceedingly, after educating myself to life of
| dlcness. Since that period, steamboats, may
run from Savannah and Charleston-f 50,
| then the intercourse has no doubt become
much more convenient
Ii was there general remark, that invalds
who survived the month of March would prob
ably live through the year. Such is the kind
influence Of climate upon the nerves of invalids
that were now troubled with these complaints
md it was reduced to n certainty that my life
l 4 Al. ~
into that climate to die--as there my life
would probably end without pain-while at
the North the hard winds would make every
cough tear me asunder. Leaving home un-
der such circumstances has its evils, but cli-
mate, accompanied by friend, will more than
counterbalance in many cases.
| lnvalids, who comfortably survive the cold
| till January or February, may often find March
unendurable--an escape from which will often
prolong their lives. This has induced me to
write this article, as well remember when
ordered myself to seek more genial climate
by my medical friends, found it impossible to
obtain any reliable practical knowledge There
to go. Florida is probably better than even
Italy, much more convenient and less eA-
pensivc--but of course the former Is compare
lively entirely destitute OF interest During
the past twenty years. new hotels nave oeen
onepcd in Florida as am informed particu-
larlv mn the River St John. Invalids will do
we'll to INQUIRE into this before determining
where to reside. Almost any family in st.
Augustine, for $50 to 500 for say six or eight
months would have vacated their house, at q
short notice if it could be rented, as cash was
very rare article.
Invalds 20 to Florida even from Savannah
md Charleston, to avoid the month of March !;
and Northern invaEds leaving Florida in March
in tolerable health, were generally confined to