The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-02-19


johnson, (Which forms the charm, the at
traction the theme of praise, in the Italian
climate, is that which renders it dangerous,
because deceitful--the long interval Of fine
weather between vcsitudes of great magni-
tude. This is the bane of Italy, whose
brilliant sky and balmy zephyrs aatter only
to betray. They first enervate the constitu-
tion, and when the body is ripe for the
tramontane. the ruthless blast descends from
tho mountains on the helpless victim, more
fierce and destructive than the outlawed
bandit on the unsuspecting traveller"
After remarkng upon the humidity of the
atmosphere, he adds: Northern strangers,
and more especially invalids unaccustomed
to genial atmosphere in the depth of win
ter, sally forth to enjoy the glorious sunshine
or the resplendent moonlight of Italy, and
like the Grecian shepherd,
| "exuliing in the sight,
Eye the blue vault. and bless the cheerful light
But they have too often reason to curse in
the sequel, the seductive climate of the
classic, which mingles the poisonous miasma
with the refreshing breezos,, and thus con-
veys the gem of future maladies on the wings
Of fragant zephyrs
2 FLORENCE, NAPLES, AND NICE, a RESIDENCE
FOR PHTHIsICAL INvALIDs.
For years Eurorean physicians have been
in the habit of sending their rhthisical
patients to Florence, Naples, and Nice; the
latter place in particular is the chosen spot
the consumptive's paradise. The mean
temperature of this place in winter is 40 de-
grees But it is subject to cold eastery
winds, and during their prevalence the air is
damp and foggy The transitions of temper
ature are also very sudden, producing all our
| - tbn inin riOuc pffppts
upon all invalids who are in q critical con-
diton.
Years ago that great and good physician,
Sir James Clarke, condemed this place as a
residence for phthisical invalidS. Here is
his emphatic utterauce. "When this disease
is complicated with any infammatory, or
highly irritable state of the mucous men,
brane of the larynx, tIachea, bronchla, or
Of the stomach, Nice is decidedly an unfa-
vorable clnate; and without extreme care
on the part of such patients, and very strict
regimen, the complaint will in all probability
be aggravated by a residence here. Indeed,
the cases Of consumption which ought to be
sent to Nice are of rare occnrrance.
All who have examined this subject with
that care which its Importance demands,
must have discovered that tie best climate
for phthisical patient is one which is dry,
equable, and of rather low temperature.-
Indeed, a low temperature is much to be
preferred to uniformly high temperature,
because it generally exerts tonic and stimu-
lating effect upon the system, while high
one produces general debility and exhaustion.
1t is no doubt owing to this low temperature
of the atmosphere, that even in summer, the
climate of St. Paul and Marquette has prov
ed SO beneficial to individuals suffering with
pulmonary tuberculosis. 1t appears to tone
up the nervous forces, sharpen the appetite,
promote digestion, and prompts to exercise,
all of which are very desirable, indeed, alb
solutely needed in mitigating this wasting
malady.
For summer residence for phthisical
patients, the places just named are as good as
any thing can be found But when winter
comes they are too cold; and have yet to
see the first consumptive who has remained
in their place all winter, who has not been
positively injured. Not so, however, with
Georgetown, or Clarksville, Texas Clarks-
vile in particular is my favorite location for
phthisca patients the year round. Its site
is healthy, and it has dry and equablc eli
mate. Pulmonary disorders are exceedingly
rare. DR.. B. Norris Of the United States
army, who spent some time in its vicinity,
regards the climate of this place as very
beneficial to persons suffering with phthisis,
and was not acquainted with single case of
the disorder that had originated there.
Previous to our great war, sent several
patients affected with pulmonary tubercu-
losis to Texas, all of whom were more or less
benefited, and in one instance permanent
cure was affected. This was the case of a
merchant who had been under my care for
nearly year. l had quite exhausted my
stock of therapeutics upon him, and began
to look for breakers. At this time he had
vomica of considerable magnitude in the
left lung, with physical sign of crude tuber.
cular deposits in the right He had lost
flesh and strength, hut was still able to at
tend tc his business One day when con-
yersiug with him. carelessly remarked,
that l thought the best way for him to get
relief for his malady would be to 60 to
Texas. Imagine my surprise few days
afterwards, when friend told me that he
had made mp his mind to 60. This was
about the middle of October-he went spent
a pleasant winter. and came home about the
first of June, very much improved in general
health. with marked mitigation OF the
local disorder in the lungs. He was so much
pleased with the country that he concluded
to make it his present home. lie returned
early in the fall bought farm near Clarks-
vile, kept large number of sheep, aud en-
gagged in all the active duties of a farmers
life. His health was permanently restored.
shall ever believe that his life was saved by
going to Texas.
In this commencing Texas as a residence
for phthisical invalids, do not wish any
practitioner to send his patients there simply
upon my authority. Others have eulogized
the country and its climate. as place Of
residence for individuals suffering with this
disorder. far beyond anything that / have
said. Allow me to quote the opinion Of
one who has given more attention to tn
study of climate and its influence in re
tarding phthiSs, than any other American
writer with whom am acquainted, one who
had tried the influence of various climates,
without any very material benefit. 1 refer
to the distinguished and lamented DR.. L. NJ.
Lawson.
tn his "Practical Treatise on PhthisiS
| d. q l.l. p.Il