The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-11-17
CllmatOlOgy Of Florida.
By Charles J. Kenworthy, M d., Jacksonril
Florida.
Continued from page 2O1.)

By Charles J. Ken'corthy, II. d., Jacksonville,
Florida.
Continued from page POLY
Considering climatic factors, as a
result OF experience, observation, in.
vestigation and study, we are con-
vinced that Florida presents more
attractions and advantages as win.
ter resort for invalids than any State
in the Union. The temperature is
favorable, the mean relative humidity
is peculiarly adapted to the treats
ment of all forms of pulmonary
disease, the air is saubrious, and in
a large portion of the State dry and
bracing; atmospheric changes are
intrequent, and not so great as in
other sections east Of the Rocky
Mountains. Rains are intrequen:,
and sunshine and fine weather the
rule. The State possesses insular,
interior, dry and moist localities,
semi-tropical and cooler sections :;
and II the nature OF amy given case
should necessltate change of base,
q suitable climate can he reached in
few hours and at a tritiing eX.
pense For tear of being accused or
painting Florida is too bright coors,
we shall use the language Of others.
The atmosphere is generally dry
and clear, owing to the evenness and
salubrity OF its climate. Florida has
long been a popular resort tor inva>
lids, and especially those afflicted
with pulmonary complaints. OF the
total deaths from all causes III Flor
ida in 1870, as reported by the Fed
eral census, only 131 were from con-
sumption. There were 17.3 deaths
from all causes to one of consump-
tion. The advantages OF the cli-
mate IN this respect are further
shown by comparison of the stats.
tics relating to consumption as re-
ported by the census OF 1870, from
which 1t appears that the ratio Of
assihs tsaEa ansnl ezl4 :. !. :! -.
from all causes. was less in Florida
than in any State except Nevada /;
and this advantage becomes still
greater when it is considered that,
Florida being a popular resort for
consumptives, large proportion OF
those who die there from that cause
came with the disease from other
States."* 1t must be remembered
that the first immigrants to new
State like Nevada, are as rule, ro-
bust and possess good constitutions;
and we must wait for a few decades
before we can arrive at a correct
conclusion with regard to the preva-
lence of phthisis. My observations,
extending over three years in our
county hospital, justities me in stat.
ing, that a very large proportion of
the cases of phthlsis admitted into
the institution were the result of
constitutional syphilis and not attri-
butable to climate.
DR.. Charles A. Lee, the learned
editor Of Copeland's Medical Die
tiouary remarks, proceeding south
from Canada to Florida, the seasons
become more Uniform in proportion
as their annual temperature in
creases, and they glide imperceptibly
into each other, exhibiting no great
extremes. Compared with the other
regions of the United States, the
peninsula of Florida has a climate
wholly peculiar. The climate is SO
exceedingly mild and uniform, that
besides the vegetable productions of
the Northern States generally, many
Of tropical character are produced.
We have already spoken OF the
mildness Of the climate OF this re-
gion; it appears to possess an insu-
lar temperature not less equable and
salubrious in winter than that
afforded by the South of Europe,
and is therefore we'll adapted to
those forms OF pulmonary disease, as
bronchitis and lncipient phthisis. as
are benefited by mild climate.
Mildness and uniformity are the two
distinguishing characteristics of the
Florida peninsula. If we compare
the climate OF East Florida with the
most favored situations on the Con
tinent OF Europe, and the islands
held in the highest estimation tor !
mildness and equability OF tempera.
ture, in regard to the mean tempera.