The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-08-14

tains so little oxygen as to compel deep
and strong respiration. But where shall
such an atmosphere be found? Not in
cold climates; not in warm ones; not in
wet ones; not in dry ones. In none of
these, necessarily, but in great elecations.
Nothing is more certain than that, as we
ascend, we find the atmosphere more rare
apd attenuated The heights of mountains
are ascertained by observing the levity of
the atmosphere, as indicated by the baro-
meter. An officer in charge of topo-
graphical party in the Rocky mountains,
few years since, found it impossible to cook
his beans. The atmospheric pressure was
so small that ebulition of the water COM
menced at but little over bloodi eat.
At the same place, the tent fly had to be
kept up at night, lest the men should suf-
focate, while asleep. The quantity
of oxygen in given measure of atmos-
pheric air, was but about one-half as great
as in the same measure of atmosphere on
the seaboard; and hence twice as much
atmosphere had to be taken into the lungs,
thus giving twice as much exertion to the
same lungs on the mountain as on the
coast. Thus, it becomes manifest that
persons living on the tops Of high noun
tains breathe deeper, and hence give more
employment to their lungs, than those liv-
ing in low countries, even though there be
no more general bodily exertion. And in
confirmation of this, we have the we'll
known fact that persons born and reared in
mountainous regions have, almost invari-
ably, broad and deep chests. The habit
Of deep respiration, from childhood,
has expanded the chest, and fully
developed the pulmonary system.
The conclusion at which we arrive is,
that persons having hereditary claims on
consumption should "Flee to the noun
tain," where they would, of necessity,
breathe deeply, and thus develop the lungs
by vigorous exertion. The earlier in life
this emigration is effected, the better.
Could the child at ten years old, be sent
to good mountain school, and there re-
main until its constitution is fully formed
and developed, it might, perhaps, return
in safety to its native soil, and spend the
remainder Of its days in happy exemption
from pulmonary disease.
If our theory be correct, we are to con-
clude that the atmosphere of Upper Mime
sofa is favorable to the restoration of per-
sons in whom the disease has not yet
prevailed to the destruction of the lungs.
1st. The purity of the atmosphere, and
its entire freedom from malarious disease,
of course, give general health and elias
ITCHY to the entire system; and,
I'd. The eight or nine hundred feet which
we have above the level of the sea, gives
us Nh atmosphere so attenuated. and so
scarce of oxygen, as to ensure deep respi-
ration, and full employment for the entire
pulmonary system, which, above every
thing else, must tend to strengthen the
lungs, and thus restore them to health and
soundness.
Onr impression is, that this State has a
great work to perform for the interests of
humanity, by proceeding, at the earliest
day practicable to complete, and set in
vigorous operation, her University Sys
tenn. St. Anthony, the site selected, is
one of the finest in the world With an
atmosphere untainted by the breath of
malaria, and almost nine hundred feet
above New York or Boston, she holds out
inducements for the feeble sons of the
lower counties to come and develop their
young lives, and rejoice in a strength and
manly vigor which, at home, they could
never know. There, looking down on the
maddened waters, and hearing, forever,
the eternal roar of the Great Falls, and
looking out on the broad expanse of
prairies, and breathing to full inaa-
ton of the lungs at every respiration,
they cannot fail to grow up strong and
healthful, and fit for the manly enterprises
of life. Let our University be pushed for
ward, and fostered by the State and by
private munifcence; and our word for it,
the day is not distant when her halls will
be thronged with the sons of the wealthy
from abroad, sent hither to develop their
energies while acquiring their education.
Beside this, a great enterprise is open for
some one in opening irst-class female
seminary, to which the daughters of the
less favored climes may resort for the dou
BILE purpose of mental and physical devel-
opment. **
Then and Now.