The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-12-12
General Considerations for COnsump
tiyes.

A very few general observations must
conclude this brief survey of winter
quarters. In search for winter health
resort, what do we desire to avoid and
what do we desire to find? There are
three things which we desire to avoid,
especially when they are found COM
bined together, as in our winter climate,
and these three things are damp, cold
and variability. 1t is the combination
of these three conditions which makes
the climate of England so unsuitable
and even dangerous to many persons.
1t gives rise to the distressing. catarrh
conditions which are so common, and
which often lead to graver disturbances
of health. 1t is the cause of attacks of
acute and chronic rheumatism, of many
forms of neuralgia, and not infrequent-
ly it is responsible for serious infam-
nation of internal organs. This COM
pination of climatic conditions, neces-
sarily associated with O clouded and
sunless sky, produces further de-
pressing effect on the mind and spirits.
1t need scarcely be said that the more
sensitive the organization, the more
acutely will these unfavorable con-
ditions be felt. What we seek,
then, in a winter climate, is the
opposite of these conditions, viz,
dryness, warmth and equability. But
it is always difficult to get all we want !;
besides, as matter of fact, while some
invalids require combination Of
warmth and moisture, others need
warmth and dryness, while others do
better in combination of cold and dry
air; but no one wants q combination of
cold and damp, and all desire sun-heat,
a clear sky, and as much of it as posi-
BILE; and we shall find, as a rule, the
value of winter climate depends on
| the number of clear and sunny days, or
the number of days and hours during
which an invalid can take exercises or
be in the open air. The mere absolute
amount of rain fall seems of small i'm
portance, provided the nature and in
clination of the soil is such that the
water drains off rapidly from the
ground, and that there are long or fire.
quent intervals of clear, sunny skies. In
deed, as l have already pointed out,
| heavy rains often have salubrious effect
in cooling and cleansing the atmos-
phere. 1t seems quite clear, too, that
diurnal variability of temperature, even
within wide limits, does not render a
climate unhealthy even to invalids, if it
is also dry climate, and the invalid
learns to protect himself from the pos
sibility of sudden chill. Nor does hui
Nudity, when accompanied with moder-
ate warmth, seem to be necessarily I'M
wholesome, especially in oceanic eli
mates. There are obviously many other
details demanding consideration, which
the limits of review article prevent
me from dwelling upon. One word,
however, with regard to the expense at
tending change of winter quarters,
which proves such an obstacle to many
an invalid. Let me say to him, in the
words of DR.. Johnson, Sir, your health
is worth more than it can COST" and let
me remind him, in the words of an
othcr, whose name / cannot at this mo-
ment recall, that, "if life without money
is not much. money without life is
nothing ut ALL. Balrney YeO, I'M
Fortnightly Revieao.