The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-10-20

lis and other factors can be made to
account for the crest mortality from
this disease, in race that enioys an
almost perfect Immunity from it in
|. an aboriginal condition under a YER.
tical sun. In forming an opinion re-.
garding climates, many factors must
be considered, and altitude is of less
Importance than temperature. pre-.
vailing winds, dry soil and a low
mean relative humidity.
with regard to the temperature
of the air, it is absolutely certain" !"
says Professor Bull, shat it is not
the mean temperature of place
which regulates the frequency of
catarrh or phthisis, but only the
larger, sudden and oftrecurring vac.
illations of Temperature, which the
compensatory power of our BODY is
unable to resist. Therefore the tenn.
perature of the air, and its rapid vac. i.
illations must be regarded as excit.
ing causes of inhammatory phrhisis. *
Atmospheric changes. in the North
and West are sudden and great !; but
in Florida they are infrequent and
not extreme. At times, what are
called "cold snaps" occur, but their
visits are infreauent, and they sell
dom last over one, two or three
days: and at any time the Invalid
can take exercise out of doors in the
middle OF the day. Owing to the
low level of the land, the absence of
snow and ice, and the warmth Of the
soil for long dlstance to the north
and west Of this State, and the in.
tiuence of che winds from the Gulf,
the northerly and westerly winds
are modified and robbed of their
harshness and refrigerat;ng effects
before they reach Florida, and ae a
consequences they do not exert the
same injurioesa aHpencs that they do.
-Sn1s k5esSv. - = sss-- : -sss~= Z = :
In reply to my circular letter, that
accomplished observer and meteoro-
logist, DR.. Baldwin, who has been in
practice in this city for over forty
years, remarks, "Stormy weather
here is comparatively rare, sustain
ing proportion of about one storm
here TO ten at the North and North
west. The air here is remarkable
for its purity, and the temperature
renders it possible for the patient to
take outdoor exercise, SO as to in'
spire the pure air. y
The subject OF Winds is matter
of importance in estimating the
adaptability of any climate as a
health resort. The prevailing winds
Tor the five cold months i'll Mime
sofa are from the north, northwest
and west. A reference to the Sig.
nal Service. Reports shows that 453
observations were taken during
November, December, January, Feb,
ruary and March; at three stations
in Minnesota, and north, northwest
and west winds were found blowing
from these points 100 times. Dur
ing the same period, and as result
of similar number of observations
at three stations in East Florida, the
wind was found blowing from the
east, southeast and northeast, 223
times. All are aware of the retrige-
rating effects Of northerly and west
erly winds in the north and west.
and that during their continuance q
majority of invalids must OF necessity
be confined to the house. The
Apalachians interfere TO a great ex
tent with the course of northerly and
westerly winds, and by the time they
reach this favored land they are rob
bed of their injurious influences. A,
times these winds affect the north
ern and western portions of the
State, and several times during the
winter slight trosts may occur. Dur
ing some winters the mercury does
not reach 32o OF Fab; as evidenc,
OF this, l need but refer to the fac
that the lowest temperature in this
locality during the past winter wa
$40.
Easterly winds have a bad repa
tation, and it is somewhat remark
able that the Rev. G. Kingsle,
never visited Florida. and yet ht
wrote an ode TO the East wind