New-York tribune., 1876-07-17
UU4r SNAIL VIZ 20 ABOrr IT'

Exchanges report the dcyastations Of the
heat al over the country rs uueGualcd even
by the summer of 1872. The mortality, cs
recially among children under five, il incrnas-
ius. The summer diseases were never so fatal
in their attacks; the drouth has burned mp
such crops as were still standing. Already the
markets of the cities show the scarcity pro-
duccd by ,hc partial destruction oi the neigh
boring truck farms from which thcy are sup
piled. People begin 10 feel that something
ought 10 be done il we are to live in this
climate, or at least live out our allowance OF
years We have only Weakened up within
few years Ia the conviction that there l. 10
climate in the world 80 6J,gcaHt in It's de-
mand. on life and strength. In Northern Rms
sia, where the cold is more rigorous than
in the same latiUdes elsewhere, the mean
teurpcraturc j. 32' Fab. There is a - aiy
equality in the cold. The Russian. with his
firS, thick walled house, and double doors,
knows what to expect. In Brazil, below tie
equator. although no such heat as that from
which we have suffered during the last month
is endured, they nave every appliance FOR rem
dering il more tolcrable. Oar houses, clothes,
and food are propCrtiongd to an even, temper
ate climate, while the Thermometer ranges
from 1Oio in JAY down T. g below zero IN
December, with frequent rise or fall of 40
in ~ hours. it is 10 wonder that, with this
tremendous strain on our brains and nerves,
cerebral and neural diseases increase here from
year to year with fatal Iisor unknown else
where.
Now what can be done about it7 Change
the climate we cannot. But we can in a great
measure change our bodies to suit the climate.
We hinted the other day certain alterations in
,lrcss and habits which would mitigage The
severity of the heat, but the reform may be
extended much further than linen clothes.
First, the better part OF fighting this battle is
in the running away. No effort at keeping
cool in Ncw-lork last week could have puri-
fed the air or made it less Ike the fumes OF
a fiery furnace. large minority OF people
leave town in Summer, but large majority
could do it if they chose to sacrifice some
other expenditure to this. Transportation Is
cheap, vast distances are brought within easy
reach. Many family makes a useless show
in dress. table service, ETC., through the Win
ter with a sum which would take the
children at least for the whole Summer
to the cool airy Allegheny table lands
or the sea beach. Another suicidal
sacrifice to custom is the daily propara-
ton of heavy dinners of hot meats, etc. Ihe
bill of fare is usually quite as extensive in
June az in November. Southern Europeans in
such weather abjurc meat, and live on vegcta-
bies, mill, and fruit. Ii ibis wise course was
followed in every American household, the
blood would he thinned, digestion aided, and
the house suffered to remain cool during the
intense heat of the day. When we think Of
the myriad seething kitchens in town and
enormous smoking noon dinners in the coun-
try prepared for the LaryCstors by their pant
ing drudges of wives and daughters, we cease
TO wonder at the reports Of increased NOR
tally" on every side
In short, Americans must recognize the trath
that portion of every year IN the extremes
of heat and cold must be hberuily spent in
fighting for life and health and each man
should face the work rs his first duty to HIM
self aud his children. and meet it with plain
common sense, and whatever knowledge he
possesses Of his individual physical needs.