Smyrna times., 1871-02-22
muse eIIun n 2 OuS.
Florida as a Resort for Invalids,

In connection with these observations bv the
way, along the shores OF Florida, it NAV be an
proprlate, and possihly of service to some. 70
record here certtln facts concerning the eli
mate, and It's suitahIeness in cases OF disc ,Se
80 many different opinions have been exnress-
~, the lhvalld is puzzled to know what 10 RELY
upon, As a physician, and one having no n 8
slble interest ~ the succ' ss Of the common
wealth OF Florida, beyond the ordinary desire
Z" see all parts OF our country yield the brs'
and become duly appreciated, living now f.,
away, and with no prospect of ever returning
to the country, wish 10 he * ,ct, and moth
Ing extenuate. Alter residence of nearly
eight years on one OF the fortified KEYS Of the
reef, venture to tabulate few facts. Offering
no arguments. The localities under notice are
the Dry Tortugs> Key West. Irdinn XIV. ana
that portion OF South Florida below Charlotte's $
Harbor on the mouth of C,looSlhatchie. G
The keys upon the Florida Rect arc wholly
exempt from frost
Very rarel ly frost appears as far south as the
CalOo>ahatchia.
The keys of the reef are never visited with a
temperature, in summer. above 92o Twice
only in eight years was the mercury above 9Oo
1t averages 87o
7Oo. ' ''' N''''s' temperature Is ABOUT
In winter about every thirteenth day and th.
two succeeding ones are cooler, from the preya-
lrnce of north wind then the mprcu,v IL
down to about 600. A pleasant ea>terly trade
wind prevails at other times The atmosphere
Is dry and braclng during the nOrthers; no rain
falls. Rain seldom falls during the winter.
1he intermittent fever is n"Ver know here
| Pneumonia and affections Of like nature are ex-
ceedingIy rare. Diseases of the alimentarv
canal, as dySentery and darrhea are remark
ably intrequent Bilious remittent is an oc-
caslonal visitor, less frequent than it. is in other
portions OF the south. Dengue, or break
bone fever, Is also an occasional Yellow fe
yer Is a stranger it never originates here. and
Is easily kept away by good quarantine regula.
| ti0ns
The extreme equability of the temnerature
ami the benign Influence of the tempered sea
air, suit the delicate breathing organs of the
cOnsumptive in winter The debility cauSed
by the long continued, though not excessive
heat OF summer is cOuHterbalanced by the great
gin derived from the absence of rude, irritat
lng winds A marked diff, renee is seen in thi,
respect between this latitude and that of North
Florida. In the latter section the mercur,
reaches much higher and much lower point
This delightful equabiiity of temperature is the
great and valuable point to be considered b,
the invalid who determines to go South" fol
health. Many have had occasion to be thank
| iuI TOT the manifest com fort and extension oil
life gained by leaving the rude winds of tho
North for the genial air of the extreme South
The great drawbacks are the wants of gooC
public houses and proper diet for the sick
1t Is reasonable to suppose, however that q.
the wants increase, methods will be found t
supply this present lack. To compare Ke,
West with Havana, we would say that every
season, finds disappointed invalids returning
from Havana for want of the ordinary comforts
of home. The city is too close and noisy, anc
too Spanish. Key West would be a paradis
for the sick or invalid were there decent accom-
modatons. The house of Mr.. Russell is wei
adapted and it is fair to presume that as com
pany increases the proprietor will find mean
TO procure all the neces>aries for the comfor
OF his guests. 1t is truth long patent. tha
goo public house on the higher part OF th
island OF Key West would be a eodsend r. RI,
many who seek health or pleasure along tn
Fonda Reef.-Dr. j. b. HOLDEN, in Harper'
Magdzine.