New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-12-12
UPPER SOUTH CAROLINA.
SOIL, CLIMATE, FRUITS, &c.
iPROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT.

IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENTS
AIKEN. S. c., Nov. 19-About so years since it was
remarked that the inhabitants Of the sandy ridge of
lands running through Middle South Carolina and
Georgia were seldom afflicted with pulmonary com
plants and that the disease made but little progress
IN those hcreditariy disposed to IT, When thebouth
Carolina Railroad was completed from Charleston to
Aiken, physicians OF the low country frequently
recommended their patients to visit this place for a
change OF air the bracing tonic effects Of tho eli
mate having proved remarkably clicacious TO those
suffering from diseases Of asthmatic character and
gradually its reputation was extended. Previous 10
tho war. many of the merchants of Charleston and
planters of the seabOad built houses here for their
Summer residences, and in Winter invalids from th 0
North occupied the hotels and built private houses.
During the war DR.. Gaillard was deputed by the
Confederate Government to select location for o
hospital for the treatment of pulmonary diseases.
After careful examination Of various localities
in the South, ho recommended Aiken as combining q
greater number Of the requisite qualifications than
any other locality. OF the large number of invads
who visited Florida the past Winter, few by
chance found their way here and thor concurrent
testimony was that they improved more rapidly
while here. and expressed regrets that they had
not earlier known OF the advantages of this place
The question naturally arises Why should tho
No doubt there arc many other localities, similarly
situated which would prove equally beneficial in a
sanitary point of view but at present most of them
require tho test of experiment while Others diff
cult OF access As basis OH which 10 form an
opinion we give the following facts Aiken is stu
ated on a high ridge OF land. which divides the head
waters of the EdistO River from the tributaries OF
the Savannah. being 900 feet above tide water aud
400 feet higher than the Savannah River at Augusta,
10 miles distant To the west the descent Is great
To require grade of So feet 10 the mile for the
railroad To the north and south the lands are roll
ing and undulatng. and the east the descent is
gradual appear level 10 tho eye The soil ~ sandy
and porous. and this circumstance, III connection
with tho formation of the country, gives perfect
system Of natural drainage, rendering even the at
mOsphere peculiarly dry and elastic: This latter fact
is evidenced by the with which the function OF
respiration ~ performed even by parties who have
but a moictY of lungs capable of acting High
authorities state that tho supplementary action OF
the skin IL In indirect ratio with tho hygrometc
condition of The atmosphere. aud that the skin is
physoloUcnlly tho chief supplement IN respiration.
and vitality important in Phthisis by the report Of
the Smithsonian Institute. tho extremes IN 1867 for
tho several months were A. follows:
Dec. .Tj2s Mar. 1870 Juno. o,n Sept. 1914
iaP..75a AR. .sl., july... s,.Ii oct: IS q
Mean winter months. Az: spring. o.: Summer. 100; ;
Autumn, ca annual mean, or
The highest pom. reached wa, 9So and tho l.west
%. No climate IL entirely exempt from sudden
yioisstudes aud changes. Yet invshds fire.
qucntiy remark that they arc lea seriously IN
Tho water Is excellent, being transparently clear,
and an temperature about SO. Tho annual fall OF
rain 10 about ~ nciies Tho dew point Is invariably
low Steel instruments can DO oKposod for years
without TusIng Kids, silks. and satins are free
from mold and salts. which have a strong affinity
to moisture can be kept without unusual care.
DR.. A. Coffin IN an article on Climate in the
treatment Of Pulmonary tuberculosis" remarks that
tho objects 10 be sought after LIST AZ little
more especially affected. viz, the lungs. J. freor
action on the part OF the supplementary excretory
organ--tho skin B. A general tonic effect on tho
whole system. The iirst of these IA 20 be obtained
from tho exceedingly dry, ghly-oxygenzed air in
hailed. Tho function of respiration. which in damp
il fb to bo performed. "a IN sucha medium carried
uncOnscOusy, no eii0rt Is required 70 thoroughly
asrate this blood. and Nature healing IN her tcndcn
cic Is allowed better chance of repairing the local
mischief This process Of natural rcparation IL still
moro urthercd by the increased dcpuratOry action of
the skin, which Is closely connected and so com
Elementary 30 that M the pulmonary tiasue or this
we have An everyday proof IN the fact OF pulmonary
Gi,tufbancos. such Caiarrh. bronchitis. and pneu
mOnia having "a one Of their most frequent causes
the sudden check of the cutaneous secretion This
increased action of tho surface Is, however. not
noticed for the pefspraiion which on the seaboard
sticks damp and Clammy TO the akin. y here rap
idly earned OF by oYaporatiOn so that although one
seems ~ pcIspre less lac In reality persprcs great
deal more and Of MI tho emunet0ries, the skin is
from the extent and frocdO Of It's surface decidedly
the safest Tho third beneficial effect viz. the tone
impaired 10 the general system, ~ produced partly
by the relief obtained by the two causes above men
toned and partly, also by tho the fact Of tho lnva
lids being able Ia live the greater part o the time IN
the open ain This open and free air life can DO In
Obliged IN 10 the greatest extent IN climate where
few hours after the heaviest rains the ground owing
to the excellent natural drainage. becomcsdry enough
TO walk without danger of wetting tho feet"
The climates To which American consumptives most
frequently resort those of MDnesoia md Florida
The lirs is exceedingly dry and cold and tho latter
temperate and moist The extreme cold Of Mime
sofa where the thermometer sometimes falls 10 ~
although braclng and exharatIng To the strong and
robust must necessarily cOniine the deblitated in
valid to the chimney corner much oil The time, ana
where there is atondency 10 bronchial affections the
keen cutting winds will bc found Indispensable. On
the other hand tho debitaiing effects of the damp
mild climate Of Florida laud the southern sca-caSt
generality where the altitude Is but afow feet above
he level of tide water, aud the streams are slow aud
sluggish initiates seriously against the patients re-
cuperatiOn. The climate of Aiken, exempt on one
hand from the extreme cold, and on the other frUm
the moist atmosphere, has proved most eihcaciOns IN
thousands Of cases As general rule. cOnsunlpuNes
are recommended 10 20 tO the country IN preference
To crowded cities Aiken combines some of tho
advantages of both city and country HE
Here they can DO in daily communication with
their friends at home by nidl or telegraph Churches
and schools are established; the tone OF society Is
superior 10 that OF most places Of like size articles
of luxury or comfort are at hand. or can be easily
had from the neiglboring large clties the phls-
cians are gentlemen Of high standing IN their probes
sion who have made this disease their speciality;
horses and carriages can b0 hired at the livery
stables; good board can be had NJ the hotel. OF III
private families on at tho fafm-hOuses IN the yicn
ity The appearance OF the town, with ats broad
streets 10 feet WIDE is pleasing and attractive aud
me country roads, covered with the fallen pine
straw afford excellent rides and drives. The lover
OF nature il qatiied by finding many picturesque
spot. =, u,
suggest their purchasing u " through ticket" TO