Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-01-25
.taster f1,telIiqel1cRr.
TUESDAY EVENING. JAN. 26. 1881.
High Altitude.
Atmospheric Infiuen les Upon The Health
:. Aum0aftY.

High Altitude.
Atmospheric Inhuen les Upon tho Health Ct
Humanity.
DR.. d. H. Dougan. OF Leadville, has
written a paper On atmospheric influences
upon the health of humanity at high alti-
tude, taking LcadviIle as the standard,
from which VIC make the following ex-
tracts:
An attempt to estimate the influence
that altitude alone may exert en- health
and disease is attended by many Difficult.
ties, from the fact that all the vital phe-
nomena are influenced by surroundings of
such multitudinous character that it is
impossible to study the effect Of any one
condition separately, SO that an enumera-
ton and analysis of such facts as come
before US in connection with attitude must
be regarded also in association with the
many causes that combine in the forma-
ton of tive result.
In a general way it may be said that the
atmosphere of an altitude such as ours
10000 feet above sea leveD acts as
Stimuant To one in perfect health this
Is manifested by a feeling of exhilaration
when he fl ST. come, uader its influence.
AIIthe functions OF the body are quicken
ed, the appetite increases and digestion
improves. lassitude gives way to energy
and visOr. and the activity of body and
mind by day are followed by sound and
restful sleep. Upon some forms of disease
this stimulation acts beneficially, while
upon others the results are the reverse.
Among the first and perhaps most i'm
portant effects exer'ed by altitude is an
increase of chest capacity. Examinations
Co l,f, CT, hat
have greater degree of chest expansion
than is the average, while the number of
respiration per minute is not increased.
The increased expansibility is not an cvi-
dence of increase in the actual surface of
lung tissue. but rather the result OF its
more complete utilization, Under Ordi-
nary conditions :. considerable portion of
lungiS occupied by residual air and kept
as kind of reserve for emergencies, one
of which is presented by elevation. Att
tude dimnishes atmospheric pressure and
reduces the quantity OF oxygen in a given
volume of air. In order then to obtain
the usual quantity of oxygen an add
tiOnal volume of air must be inhaled with
each inspiration and thus the residual
space IN the lungs brought into action.
While the expansion OF tine lung is thus i'll
creased its reserve space is correspond
ingly diminished, and As higher attitudes
are attained the diminutiOn continues till
more rapid b: c itling is require to sustain
even ordinary effort. The effect of alti-
tude, in its thorough utilization of the re-
spiratOry surface of the lung for ordinary
exertions must of necessity have an i'm
pOrtant influence over the course Of dis
ease such as pneumonia, where intlamma-
tiOn di>ablcs portion Of the lung and its
retirement from the Office of furnishing
oxygen to the system cannot be compGn-
sated 10y the more perfect Office Of its re-
manning portion. This may perhaps cx-
plain, in part, at least. why the mortality
from pneumoni. is increased with altitude.
For though VIC may deny that the causa
tiOn OF this disease is favored by altitude
or those conditions already named as ac-
altitude, except when assOci-
ated with other factors to he referred to
it will be admitted that altitude
in itself, or diminished density of the at
may have an important bearing
on its mortality.
There are good reasons for believing
that our mountain air would have a bene-
fetal effect OH the earliest stages of tuber-
culosis. The eases OF consumption that
do come under observation. however, are
SO few that statistics arc unavailable, but
it is only reasonable to conclude that the
clear, pure, nviynrating atmosphere of
our summer season would exert tonic
effect Oh system enteebied by pulmonary
disease, and tie few eases available for
study indicate that il also has i special
inflre ice in arrcSting the morbid process i'm
the lungs. If cavities OF considerable size
have formed, the probabilities then are
that II" improvement need be expected, !
but rather the reverse.
OF the diseases especially pertaining to |
We find all or nearly all of |
them, possible. Diphtheri;t, scarlet fever,
mumls, whoopinS cough, chol-
era infantum have each announced their |
ability to become as fully developed here
IS elsewhere. AS yet, none of them have
prevailed as epiaemics of as malignant |
forms as they often do in lower attitudes,
their special cause being doubtless held
in check by our colder climate. Indlvid.
lal eases may hc dis severe and as fatal as
elsewhere, but the degree of contagious
hess is greatly lcssencd and as result the
The general average.
In former years an idea prevailed and
Was generally accepted that wounds of all
AuuS tiil> were apt
20 be followed by erysipelatous intiamna-
ion. Further observation has shown that
'uch wounds follow the same law here as
elsewhere, and that attention to clc;:rli-
less, care in dressing and regard to the
general health are rewarded usually by cx-
,ellent results, the proportion Of excep-
ional eases being 10 greater here than in
over attitudes.
A leview of the subject leads to the con-
,lusion that while the tendency to acute
Affections may he pro,s oted
~ our extreme daily ciian5cs of te.npcra-
ure, the average influence Of the climatic
conditions found here is favorable to
lealth. While 4 greater number of CASES
# pneumonia occur these are largely the
esult of exposure, and when fatal, it is
'ftcn because OF the absence Of proper
are, comfortable habitations and suita bic
On the other hand, We find JIc diseases
hat are SO common ut lower attitudes
rare in this. and some Of
hem. such as consumption, almost un-
Known, and this, notwithstanding an
Ilmost total disregard of all hygienic
Don't Get the CEi;is.
II you are subject to Ague you must bc sure