The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-11-17

ture OF winter and summer, that of
the warmest and coldest months. and
that OF successive seasons, we shall
find the results generally in favor of
the former" After citing the mean
difference of successive months and
annual range of a number of climatic
resorts in comparison with stations
in Florida, he remarks, "Thus it is
easily demonstrated, that invalids re.
qulring a mild winter residence, have
gone To foreign lands in search OF
what might be found at home-an
evergreen land, in which wild flow.
ers never cease to untold their De-
tails. "*
In discussing the most suitable
climates for invalids, DIR. Wilson,
late Medical Inspector OF Camps and
Hospitals, United States Army, re.
marks, "Neither upon the Southern
coast OF France, nor anywhere under
the bright Italian skies, can a winter
climate be found so equable and SO
genial to the delicate nerves OF most
invalids as can be enjoyed in our
sanitary stations in Florida."+
DIR. H. A. Johnson, of Chicago
states, II had about fifty patients
last winter i'll Florida, and they
came back better. Even in those in
whose lungs cavities existed, were
better than they would have been
had they stayed in Illinois. l will
therefore advise patients in the lat
ter stages TO 60 to Florida."t
At page 1885, Volume 3, of Cone.
lands Dictionary OF Medicine, we
find the following: 'Dr. Forty and
other writers of authority, recon-
mend a change Of climate in this dis.
ease, as remedial agent Of great
efficacy, and especially the peninsula
OF Florida"
Florida is not esteemed by all as
a climatic resort tor invalids, and
shall quote from DR.. jones' Essay,
-l,srs55Ss -. ..zssz'ssJ ne says, F'lOrlda,
VIII ich has been vaunted as santa
rum for invalids, shows a greater
ratio of mortality from phthisis, to.
day. than Minnesota. Florida is,
perhaps, to-day, more frequented by
invalids than any of our Southern
places OF resort. The exceeding
fatality of consumption to families,
who for generations have resided III
the State, as we'll as the untavorable
effects, as rule, observed upon pa
tients who visit that State il declin-
ing health, is we'll known. We are
not surprised that such is the case,
after having carefully analyzed the
climate, Tor there is little that can be
said i'll its favor, and II great deal
which must be said against it,
In making such sweeping state
ment, in which the welfare and pro-
gress OF a State is involved, it would
have been but just amt professional
tor the writer to have furnished re-
ferences to authors, resident physi-
clans, or statistical evidence 10 sub
stantiate his assertions.
In this State we have no State
Board OF Health, and TO compulsory
registration OF deaths, and it was i'm.
possible for DR.. Jones to base his
statements upon any evidence but
the United States Census, and the
Army Reports, and mortuary re-
turns Of this city, a'd these are ia.
vorable To the State. If he had been
better informed, he would have writ
ten, "Florida is favorite resort for
invalids. Many persons visit the
State in the last and incurable stage
OF phtbisis and die there, as every.
where else; and as We have no NOR.
tuary tables, or the means of ascer-
tanning how many residents or inva-
lids annually die in that State of
phthisis, We are not justified in ex-
pressing a positive opinion"
In his essay, DR.. Jones refers to
the great mortality from phthisis in
the city of Jacksonville, and as relia.
BILE data are important. ] addressed
DR.. Knight, Health Officer of the
city, and received the following re-.
ply.
Residents who died during years
of 1873 and 1879 from phthisls, IL.
.Copeland's Medical Dictionary, vol. i, pp.
lO2. kO4, 4l6.