The Florida agriculturist., 1880-12-01
DeLand Vousia County, Florida Wednesday, December $780,

healthy towns on the Mediterranean,
yet that recent and eminent authority
DIR. Sparks, informs us that the NOR
tality from phthisis in that city, is
but in IA. That in 1876, the gar
rison in Marseilles numbered 3,943
men that the mortality was 20 per
1000, and but three died OF phthisis.
These figures do not support the
authority quoted by DR.. Jones.
Mentone is situated Oh the Medi-
terranean, at very low elevation,
and is recommended by leading au-
thorities as climatic resort. Its
climate, during the cold months,
closely resembles that of Florida.
During period of ftwenty, five years
we find that 3,l89 cases of all kinds
were admitted into the hospital, and
during that period only As cases of
phthisis-:he ratio of phthisis TO
other diseases was as l to 1856. To
illustrate the influence of temper
ate, bracing and dry climate in the
| SAS0IAAChC VI pHItlASlS3 Sildll QuOL0
from Sparks, page ll3:
CASES OF PHTHIsIs TREATED ON THE REvIERA.
| Number pr. ct.
Cured or improved - 1,20S 62.6
Stationary worse - 4S7 22.6
Deau 2A 14,S
Number of patients 1929
DR.. Jones states, page $50. that
Late investigation seems to indicate
that the comparative intrequencv Of
phthisis among inhabitants residing
In elevated regions, is due not so
much to mere altitude as to the alb
sence of organic matter in the at.
mosphere OF these high elevations.
1t is now established beyond all
doubt, that organic substances,
whether gaseous products OF putre-
tactive processes, microscopic germs
floating inthe atmosphere, when they
reach the bronchial tubes in the in
splred air, are capable OF exerting
morbid processes which lead 10
serious results. These deleterions
stSntly inhaled in the lower strata q
. the atmosphere, are one OF tn,
strongest arguments against sendin.
patients to Florida" The question
naturally arises, has DIR. Jones, O
{ any other competent observer, ex
amined the air Of Florida microscopi
y cally. We have not been tavore,
with a visit from Ehrenburg. Tvu
: dali, or Angus Smith, and DR.. Jones
without any authority or reason. con
. demns the atmosphere of this State
= and endeavors to lnjure Florida as
g climatic resort, and as a place of per
y manent residence. Correctly speak
" ing, (as regards the surface OF tn
earth), the atmosphere which sur
rounus st. Paul Is no higher tha
:, = that of Jacksonville, but the create
:. number OF inhabitants and cesspool
! = In the former, may cause more i'm
purity ot air than Ill the latter.
~ st. Paul was situated on an emiuenc
i 1000 to 5000 feet above the level O
, the adjoining country, DIR. Jones' OF
: ganism theory would have sligh
t. basis. According 10 the investigs
as tions OF Ehrenburg and Sylvestrit
l99 sand, earth and microscopic organi
n forms can be transported in the at
in in mosphere tor long distances III
le air OF Berlin has been iouBd to con
d, tain organisms derived from tb
ne ne African desert. Independent c
as larger substances, the air is found t
" contain numerous living creatures
- some lifted from the ground u
It, winds, others growing in the all
e, Ehrenburg discovered over 90
ty forms. These can be dried, and re
Of Of tain their vitality for years. Miune
n: sofa is surrounded by other State
ID where organisms do exist, and it re
ry quires but a few hours or days fu
the winds to carry Objectionable sui
u; u; stances from Illinois, Michigan, Ne,
a; York, Louisiana, or Florida to Min
te te nesota. Ii DIR. Jones' theory re
at garding foreign substances in tn
" air is correct, Florida is more sui,
mt Mt able place as climate resort tha
o. Minnesota. 1t is admitted by al
e. 9, scientists that foreign substances an
g. minute organisms ''are more abun
iiss dant inland than sea air." in tact, Sc
IT. air is noted tor its purity. Mime
: sofa is surrounded by other States
Of and is favored by the winds wit