The Arizona sentinel., 1877-08-18
THE CLIMATE OF YUMA. Governor Safrord's Testimony.
TUCsoN, August 9, 1877

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 EDITOR SENTINEL.
 ain pleased to see your efforts to lay
 before the public the advantages of the climate Of Arizona for the relief and cure of persons afflicted with pulmonary dis eases. Observation and residence in the Territory during the past eight years, have convinced me that this climate is Superior to any found elsewhere for the cure of that Class of diseases. 1 have known a large number of people to come here who were in rapid decline, who have been restored to excellent health. For several years be- fore coming here had been afflicted with a severe cough. My lungs were examined by several experienced physicians and pro- nounced badly diseased l travelled exten- sively, which only gave me temporary re- lief. I commenced improving as soon as I reached this wdfm, dry climate. Within six months the cough left me, but for sev- eral years afterwards would return as soon as I changed from this climate to that of California or the Eastern States; but now I consider myself completely cured, and do not find any difficulty upon going to San Francisco or elsewhere, as I formerly did. My experience is the same as that of near ly every person who has given this climate a fair trial. Itis an admitted fact that no medical treatment has yet been discovered that will cure pulmonary consumption. The strong hold of the disease, where it on the havoc of death, is found in cold, damp climates, where every respiration feeds the disease, and the victim is hurried to premature grave. It is reasonable to suppose that different climate will cor respondingly benefit the afflicted. Tn Ari- izona the warm, dry atmosphere acts as healing balm to the bleeding, diseased lungs, while the pores are kept open and 1 the impurities of the system, that in harsher climates make a combined attack upon weak lungs, are allowed to escape through the sktn. It is true, to insure a ! cure, the patient must expect to undergo privatfons and of;en hardships. An out door life is very necessary. Constant trav- cling and sleeping out doors at night have been found very Beneficial The patient needs something to constantly divert his attention from the disease. Travelling and seeing new scenes does this to great ex- tent, while exercise fnsures good appe- tite. and the pure, warm atmosphere af- lords curative application to his diseased lungs as often as he breathes. Yuma, dur ing greater part of the year, is probably the best place for this class of invalids; while perhaps, during the warm season, the patient could travel to advantage, and live in the interior.
 While am aware that should Arizona become a resort for invalids afflicted with pulmonary diseases, itwould be the means of adding much profit. to the business of the country, still hope and believe this consideration has not induced me and does not i..fuence the SENTINEL in making prominent the advantages of this climate. This class of unfortunate people has enough to contend with without being lured away from home and friends by our holding out false hopes; but the universal relief given to persons afflicted with these diseases that has come under my observa- tiOn, warrants what 1 have said. be- lieve It to be the duty of every one who has been benefited by this climate, or who knows its utility, to aid suffering human ity by making these facts as widely known as possible. A. P. K. SAFFoRD.