The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-12-22
CIlmatOlOgy Of Florida.

CIImatOlOgy Of Florida.
BIZ Charles j. Ken,corthy, NJ. d., Jacksonville
Florida.
(Contiaued from page 246)
This city is built on sand bank,
where the drainage is perfect. In
many situations, wells have to be
sunk through sand TO depth OF from
fifteen TO twenty-five feet before a
supply OF water is obtained. Great
attention is paid TO sanitation, and IN
this respect Jacksonville is not ex'
celled or equalled by any city In the
South. Dry-earth closets have been
forced by ordinance. Recently the
CITY has been effectively severed,
Water works ofthe most perfect de-
scription have been constructed at
large outlay. No layer OF clay is
found between the surface and per-
manent water supply, and as result,
the soil is dry and warm. The sandy
soil upon which the city is built, con-
tains but a minimum amount OF veg
etab,e matter, and as a consequence,
health is the rule. 70 illustrate the
mortality of this city, appealed 10
our efficient and intelligent Health
Officer, Dr. Knight, and received the
following communication:
"HEALTH DEPARTMENT,
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE,
April 10, 1880. )
DR. T. J. Ke11lcOrthu:
DEAR SIR: A careful examination
OF the Mortuary Reports in the City
Sections Office, reveals the following
facts
Previous to 1878 the records were i'm
perfectly kept and are not reliable.
MOrtaIity for 1879. III
Mor+oIitv fo,, wears 29O
Deduct from this number visitors
who died of phthisIs, Brghts dis
ease and organic disease OF the 10
Total mortality of residents $50
Percentage of mortality per 900
among residents for two years - l2.5
Percentage OF deaths from phtb1Sls
among residents. ......... O.55
Percentage of deaths from pulmonary
diseases. other than phthisis. ---..- IA
Respectfully yours,
A. w. KNIGHT, NJ. d.,
Health Officer
Since this paper has been placed
in the hands of the printer, We have
been kindly favored by DIR. Mattocks,
Presid t-ef~the Board of Health OF
St. Paul, MINI. with the mortnary
reports of that,city for the years 1878
and 1879. From the data furnished
we find
The mortality per 1000 for 1878 and
The mortalitype per 1000 from phthisis 1867
The mortality per 1000 from pulmon-
airy diseases, other than phthisis-- - 23I
During the year 1878, and 70, we
find that 113 deaths Were unclasslfied,
which fact will add to the apparent
mortality from lung diseases. DIR.
Mattocks states, that the population
is estimated at 10000, and we regret
we have not been able to obtain the
census returns, so as 10 arrive at
something definite regarding the ac-
tual mortality of St. Paul.
We have referred to the mortality
of these cities because DR.. Jones
pointedly asserts, that THE mortal
ity of st. Paul is less than that OF
Jacksonville" If the former city
possesses a population of 10000. the
mortality OF the latter is greater by
two-tenths of l per cent. per 1000.
We are gratified to find the mortuary
returns OF St. Paul to be so favorable;
and the mortality, in Jacksonville
from phthlsis and other pulmonary
diseases is so low, more especially AS
as it has been denounced as an un.
suitable climate for the treatment of
such cases, and the public led 10 be
lieve that phthisis is of frequent &C.
curance here. The mortality OF this
city is remarkably low, and it is i'll
deed gratifying to find that we have
SO few deaths from phthisis and other
pulmonary diseases. II the mortality
from these diseases is so light, IL Is
evident that the climate must be1avor-
able for invalids suffering from such
affections.
Since the preceding was written
we have received from DIR. Knight
the Meteorological summary OF Jack
sonvile for the six months ending
June 31st, 1850; and We find that
the death rate per 1000 Tor the six
months ending June 3lst, was 1916.
Deducting from total deaths thirty
seven nonresidents, we find the ac-
tual death rate TO be SO. Death
from consumption among residents,
.A-a