The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-04
Now for summer.

II is hard to realize In these warm days of
carly June that only about six weeks ago,
and after the middle Of April, a heavy snow
storm occurred throughout a wide region Of
New England and this state, and that May
opened with snow still on the ground and
Ice i'm some Of the streams. The passage
from winter to summer has been SO gradual
in these ATTITUDES. and in this ncighborhood,
through the delaying of vegetation by the
prolonged cool weather, that this year we
have really had what Is 50 unusual with us,
n spring season.
Notwithstanding the winters severity
and the summers slowncss. the year SO
far has been one Of remarkable bcngnity.
There is now freshness and health about all
growing things which delights the farmer
and the gardener, and gratillcs the eye uf
every man who stops 10 observe the face Of
nature. The rain fall has been abundant,
showers having occurred on nearly onc-third
Of the days Of May, and the thirst Of
the plants has been so well satisfied that
they are in good condition to stand the
season upon which we are now entering.
The month Of June is not with us an UNI
healthy one. though during it. along
about the time VI the summer sol
stice, We are pretty sure to have
some OF the hottest weather Of the year;
but II stands at the threshold Of the
season when the death rate of New York is
sure to run up rapidly-the season when
the children i'm the crowded tcncments un-
dcrgo their sov"rcst struggle for existence.
1t will take all the vigilance Of the extra
summer corps of visiting physicians Of the
Health Department and the most careful
management on the part Of parents, 10
carry through the dog days even n large
fraction Of the newly born. Undcr the best
of circumstances. human life, except az great
age, Of course. j. most fral when it begins.
and the conditions ol our civilization and
our city throw particularly heavy weight
In the scale against childhood. The funeral
professions at the ferries will crowd one
another throughout July and August, and
far into September. But we urge the
Health Oniccrs " work during the summer,
which promises to be one Of much heat. 1t
behoovcs parents and all citizens 10 look
on them a agents OF life, and to lend
them every assistance, even IL their own
convenience suffers. Some portions of
the population have been very suspicious
of these physicians but last year they en-
couutcrcd fewer obstacle. in the way Of dis
trust than In other seasons 1t is a foolish
man who fights against proper sanitary
precautions.
And everybody for himself who values his
health and comfort this summer will take
especial care to limit his consumption OF
distilled liquors. Ice il plenty and cheap,
ami mixed with Croton II makes a iirSt-ratc
beverage, aud there Is better satisfaction
for thirst in lager beer than in rum -ours or
whiskcy cocktails, mint iuleps. or in straight
drinks of spirits of any sort. The total alb
etainers and the moderate imbihers will Toe
the ones who will chafe least undcr the heat,
feel least it, cxhausting effects, do the most
and the best work, and come out at the end
of the season in the best physical trim; and
the busy will weather it better than the
idlers who have time to count each drop of
perspirution and to keep constant watch of
the expanding mercury. Work he sober,
be happy, aud you may use the summer for
your own good as well as for that Of other
people.