The Florida agriculturist., 1880-12-01
ClImatOlOgy of Florida.
By Charles J. Kcnaoorthy, NJ, d., JachSonvill
Florida.
Continued from page 217.)

Florida. = '"''' -4' ' ''''' '''''''''
Continued from page 217.)
AT page 296, DR.. Jones asserts,
"That it is difficult to understand the
reason why the profession in this
country still presist in sending their
patients to Florida. That improve
ment should take place is against
reason and experience alike. If we
except sandy soil, it does not pos
sess single element which is now
regarded as favorable for the pallia-
tion or cure OF phthiss." In DR..
Jones, we have dogmatist, who
writes about treason and exper-
ience." His reasons are simply
based on Ignorance; the assertion
that 1.-THE atmosphere OF the State is
loaded with moisture" and "mete-
geological tables for the year 1873 for
the city of St. Paul" He censures
the profession tor sending their pa
tients to Florida. This can be &C.
counted for on the ground, that
many members OF the profession are
posted with regard to the climatic
advantages of Florida, and that DR..
Jones is resident OF Minnesota.
He speaks of "eAperience," Of which
he has not had jot or title. IT he
had resided i'll this State for but
twelve months, he might have re-
terred to his limited experience"
but when a nonresident refers to
'experience," it Is simply Iecendlng
from the sublime to the ridiculous.
He asserts that with the exception
OF a SANDY soil the State does not
possess a single element which is
now regarded as favorable for the
palliation and cure of phthisis." l
have quoted from leading authori-
ties regarding the climatic factors
necessary for the alienation and
cure OF phthisis," and have discussed
the factors OF this climate, and have
gwen meseorqlogieal daLa, and i,
sion to be arrived at, and that is tina,
DIR. Jones has TO asserted as fact
what he cannot establish by expert
ence, testimony OF reliable data.
In his essay, DR.. Jones uses ths
following language: THE NOR
tality OF st. Paul is less than that o
Jacksonville" Questioning, I ad
dressed note 10 DR.. Jones, request
ing him TO favor me with the NOR
tuary reports OF st. Paul for th'
years 1878 and 1879, with his author
lty for the statement regarding tn
mortality OF Jacksonville, and tina
the atmosphere of Florida is "loadet
with moisture" but received no re
ply.*
10 condemn localities OF low ele
walton, as we'll as those situated nea
the sea- coast, and TO bolster up hig
attitudes, DR.. Jones quotes the fol
lowing from Thoroughgood: "A
Marsellles, the mortality from cor
sumption is 25 per cent Probabl
Marseilles is one OF the most uIl
have receiveda communication from D
Jones, dated June 2lst, in which he states.
1.-The mortality of Jacksonville, Florida, We
was found in some medical journal, or in til
transactions of your State Medical Society,
cannot now remember which. do remen
Der, however that the mortality from col
sumption in Jacksonville was greater than
st. Paul. am well aware how unreliabl
such information is. The humidity of the u
mosphere of Florida is so well understood
that to answer you, as to where received til
information, it will only be necessary to poil
You to any work on climatolOgy which hf
been written in this country. doubt If yo
can overcome snch overwhelming testimon
on this point"
When authority for some of his statement
is requested, the Doctors memory is at taul
but as regards the mortality of Jacksonville
III, 30, WI fnOl fnh
stating that the mOrlnary reports of the cit
of Jacksonville have not been published
any medical journal or the transactions
the Florida Medical Association. II such ill
formation is 50 unreliable" it is sOmewh,
surprising that n medical gentleman shOul
have haZarded positive and denunciatoI
statement upon such unreliable informs
tion."
AS the authority for the mean relative HI
midity of this State is $50 well understood,
and as it can be found in ''any work on clim;
tology," it is surprising that DR.. Jones iii
not refer to some particular work, OF quot
one in his essay. The popular opinion tn,
Florida possesses ''moist climate is base
on the fact, that it is nearly surrounded b
water-or on Il mere rehash of the statemel
which appeared in the earlier editions of I'll
work of DR.. Napheys previously referred t
The statement that the atmosphere OF Flo
ida is loaded with MOISTURE" is about as rt
liable rs the statement that the "air of Mimi
sofa is dry and desiccating." 1t is more eas
g. for authors to quote and perpetuate errol
than to appeal to the Signal Service Depar
IA ment in Washington and secure reliable dat
"a *Since this paper was placed in the hands ,
a the Publication Committee.