Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-05-31

BENEFITS RECEIVED FROM WINTER So
IOIRN IN FLORIDA.

BENEFITS RECEIVED FROM 4 WINTER So
JoURN IN FLORIDA.
DIR, James X. Nichols, the ablo editor
of the Journal of Chemistry. publishes in
the May number an article giving the re-
suits of his experience and observations
during few months in Florida. He
went. he says. Tor health recuperation.
excessive labor and a multiplicity of
cares having SO far weakened the nervous
system that the zero temperature could
no longer be withstood, and our only re-
source was to seek n milder climate. and
We returned. having gained what we
sought tor" And he adds: I'VE will
say now that for that class OF ailments
depending upon abnormal nerve func-
tons, no climate is better adapted to al
ford relief than that of Florida. The poor,
broken-down man OF business, the ncr-
vous vile and mother, wearled and worn
with household cares and duties, will lind
in this delightful air balm well calcu.
lated to restore nerve action to its healthy
conditions" He then speaks of the large
class of individuals who are suffering from
lung diseases and who have resorted to
Florida for relief, and says;
I'VE say 10 physicians, pray do not
send your patients suffering from true
phthisis to Florida. especially those in
whom the disease has passed the first
stages. and soitcning and disintegration
OF the lung tissue has occurred. You
cannot save lie. or much prolong it. by
this course. Ii is certain you will add
greatly to the discomfort and peril OF your
patients, and crush out hope, which like a
good angel usually occupies the mind OF
the invalid until the last hour. This trans
porting of exhausted invalids in chairs and
on couchcs to Florida is all wrong and
too strong n protest cannot be entered
against it. The saddest of all sights seen
weak. detected. pale, with an incessant
tormenting cough, conveyed by the as
sistance OF friends from one point to an
other, with the view of reaching one sup
posed to be more favorable. 1t is 4 fear
ful thing to die among strangers. away
from home, from friends and early asso-
Citations, and yet scores die every year in
Florida who ought never to have lett their
northern homes.
We dare not say that no case of genuine
inherited tuberculosis was ever cured by
visit or residence in Florida. but We do
dare say that, if there have been such
cases they are extremely rare. The stage
of this disease at which il may be safe to
transport patients is before the full devel
opment of tubercle, or before the stage of
suphuration is reached. The sons and
daughters OF consumptive patients, in
whom indications OF disease or discovera-
ble by acute physicians, may be sent TO
IlpriI1 N rasi.ta tor Snrnral and
this may result greatly TO their advantage.
and may prolong life.
A class of invalids suffering from what
appears to be true ephthisis are, as
whole, greatly improved by a residence
in Florida we reie. to those afflicted with
bronchial and catarrhal affections. Su-
perfcial diagnosis does not clearly decide
the exact nature OF these ailments there
is cough. impairment of appetite, pains in
the chest, difficulty of respiration, emacia-
tion, perhaps night sweats. and with all
these alarming symptoms there is no tut-
erclc. Here we find an immense differ
ence in the tendencies and durability OF
the two affections, which, in symptoms,
almost exactly correspond; one is durable
by change of climate, and the other gen
orally is not. The patients who are sup
posed to be dying OF consumption at the
North. and who are restored by n resi-
dence in the South, are not usually afllict
ed with true tuberculosis; they are suffer
ing from catarrhal or bronchial difficult
ties, and hence the relief The obvious
duty Of physicians is to carefully diagnose
their patients before sending them to warm
climates; and, if advanced tubercle exists
keep them at home. II, on the other hand,
there is the absence OF hereditary taint,
and no special indications OF tuberclc.
send them TO Florida, if they have means
OF securing the comforts there which in
valids require.
To invalids who wish to 90 TO Florida
We have to say: Before YOU iully mature
your plans consult your physician and de-
sire him to state candidly. after full and
thorough consideration of your case, if he
advises you 10 leave home. Remember,
YOU have much TO encounter away from
your own fireside; this is specially the
case if your pecuniary means are limited.
Southern boarding houses are better now
than formerly. but many are not dlstin-
guished for cleanliness or good cookery.
Of kindness and general sympathy there
is no lack. After You have reached
Florida you can no longer rely upon any
advice you may obtain from your home
ply sician. in response TO your represen-
iatlons TO him by letter. II YOU need ad-
vice seek it of some of the very able, cul
tivated. experienced resident physicians
where You may stay. There are several
such in Florida.