, 1880-07-26


nifty the inhabitants enjoy from the
disease, and very far north consumption
is either extremely rare or altogether
unknown. In the bleakest, coldest
and most exposed portions OF the globe,
and where sudden and severe changes
of the atmosphere hold to maximum,
consumption is very infrequent. In
deed. so true is this that we are forced
to the conclusion that extreme cold Is
inimical to the production OF consump-
ton. The primary effect Of a cold
climate is increased demand for oxygen
tissue changes take place more rapidly,
together with the products OF increased
tissue metamorphosis. 10 M ct this
increased demand on the economy,
more food is taken, the digestive power
and appetite are increased, and all the
processes which govern organic nutri-
tion are improved. The processes OF
absorption, secretion, sanguifcatlon,
assimilation, respiration and circulation
are carried on much more actively than
in warm climates. Cold, whether it be
water or climatic, is we'll known to be q
powerful tonic. That increased oxid
alton of the tissues takes place in a
cold climate is shown by the increased
carbODlc acid which is thrown off from
the lungs. The most robust health is
maintained where consecutive and de-
structlve metamorphosls of tissue is
most actively carried on. and it is the
fair balance of this Process of destruc-
tlon and reparatlOn which constitutes
the phenomena OF life. The effects vi
heat on the system are much the oppo-
site Of those OF cold. Heat is relaxing
and enervating. Oxidation of the It's
sues Is greatly lessened when the body
is in an atmosphere warmer than itself.
The effect OF humidity combined with
heat is not Only Immediately harmful
and dangerous, but is very likely even
to give rise to the tuberculous cachexy
through suppression OF cutaneous tran
spiratIOn.
Out of the vast accumu ulation Of facts
with regard to climate. there are some
upon which the profession are agreed.
Among these is that of altitude. Care
iul Investigation of this matter made
by competent and Trustworthy men,
both ID this country and in Europe,
clearly Indicates the importance OF al
titude in the climatic treatment of con-
sumption. There Is much more ozone
IN the higher than in the lower strata OF
the atmosphere, and that this Is exceed
lugly valuable in the climatic treatment
OF phthisis is clearly indicated. Ozone
possesses high sxldizlng power and
purities the atmosphere by chemically
uniting with the products of decompo
sltlon. 1t destroys organisms by COM
blnlng with them. 1t also promotes nu
triton and blood changes by supplying
to the respiratory organs most active
form of oxygen.
A careful stu1y of the facts adduced
in has paper, lea Is DR.. Jones to the
following conclusions: l. No zone en-
Joys entire immunity firm pulmonary
consumption. 2. The popular belief
that phthisis is common in cold eli
mates is fallacious; and the idea
now SO prevalent that phthisis is
rare In warm climates is as un-
true as it is dangerous. 8. The
disease causes larger proper
ton Of deaths on the sea-shore-the
mortality diminishing with elevation
up to certain point. 4. Altitude is
inimical to the development of consump-
ton, owing chiefly to the greater purity
OF the atmosphere in elevated situa-
tions, its freedom from organic matter,
and its richness in ozone. 5. Moisture
arising from clay soil or due to evap-
Grafton, is one of the most influential
factors in It's production. 6. DAmpness
OF the atmosphere, from whatever cause
or in any altitude, predisposes to the
development Of the disease, and is hurt
full to those already attacked. 7. Dry
ness is quality of the atmosphere of
decided value. 8. The most unfavor-
able climate possible for a consumptive
Is one of uniform high temperature and
of high dew point warm and moist. }
9. The effects due to change in the at
mosphere are by no means so pern;-
cious as are generally supposed, ami
upon this subject present views require
modification.
In conclusion, DR.. Jones adverts to
the influence e1erted upon cousunp-
tives by the climate of Minnesota: and ,
after pointing out the various facts re-
lating to its geographical position. alti-
t1de, geology, character and confgura-
tion Of its soil, and other physical as
poets, gives it as his conviction that
those predisposed to the disease. or la
boring under its first stages, are likely
to be benefited or cured by residence
in that State. Between the pleasant
rolling prairie, the wooded lake region
and the dense pine forests OF the north
western section of the State they can
choose what seems most agreeable and
best adapted to them; while the dry,
bracing atmospAe will enable them to
live much of the time out of doors
without fear of taking cold, the latter
feature being one of the greatest
charms of the climate. The author
-k~ l.