Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-17
win,ering I'm the snow.

Wintering I'm the snow. :
Many Of the summer resorts between 3, 800
and 500 feet above the sea are not open and
available at this season, and in those that are
available the accommodation is perhaps not
such as invalids require. Moreover, even II q
suitable intermediate station is found, it win
occasionally happen that pulmonary invalids
ind themselves worse for the change, and begin
to think they have been ILL directed in.their
choice, whereas they should bear in mind that
the spring Is difficult season everywhere,
do. Thusis, 2,44S feet above the sea,
Is convenient and accessible, but little il
known about its spring climate. Fair &C
commodation can be obtained there, and
1t has the advantage of being on the way
sea, village in the Prettigau, quite close to
Landquart, is exceedingly conveniently situated
IN picturesque position, and, we are assured
Dy those who have spent a whole winter there,
has excellent accommodation. Glion, above
MontreuX, on the Lake of Geneva also about
5000 feet above the sea, is pleasant, sunny
station, with very good accommodation and
most picturesque and cheerful surroundings,
but 1t is rather out OF the way for those who are
returning to England. Heiden, 1880 feet above
the sea, near Horseback, on the Lake of Con-
stance, Is also conveniently accessible and in
pleasant situation, but would probably be found
dull aud unprepared for spring visitors. In con-
clusion, two questions must be briefly dealt with:
nrst, what class of invalids may fairly expect to
derive benefit from wintering in these high
mountain valleys? and, secondly, what are the
curative agencies at work thereI 1t is of the first
Importance to remember that these mountain cli-
mates are by no means adapted to the treatment
of many well-defnded forms Of consumption;
that cases have to be selected with great care
and discrimination, and that regard must be
paid rather to the constitution and tempera-
ment OF the individual than to the mere amount
of local disease. Hereditary predispositiOn.
other circumstances being favorable, offers no
counterindicatiOn to the suitability of these
stations. But their remedial power is especially
manifested in persons who have become acct
dentaly the subjects of chronic lung disease
and who are the pOssessOrs Of originally sound
constitutions, and have obvious reserve stores
OF physical vigOr. The constitution must have
the power of healthy reaction to the exciting
stimulus here applied to it. The extent to which
this reaction often occurs has occasionally led
to grave and even fatal indiscretions. 1t is the
universal experience of physicians that the
phthisical constitution is the most difficult Of
all to control: cOnsumptiye patients are forever
committing indiscretions which are periious to
themselves and in the last degree exasperating
to their doctors! Cautions against over-excite-
ment and Over-exertiOn are therefore specially
needed in climates such as we have been con-
sidering. The following summary Of cases suit
able to these high mountain health resorts is
founded on the published testimony of a ply
stefan whose practical experience In one of
them has extended over 90 years, and, in the
statements which follow, my own experience is
in accordance with his: 1. Where there is an
obvious and well-ascertained predisposition to
consumption, and when perhaps slight hem
Orrhage has occurred without the manifesto.
ton of any definite local disease; as preven-
tive measure a residence for two or three sea-
sons In high mountain station is to be recon-
In nfnrr hol 80
sumption, in the early stage, without much con-
stitutiOnal disturbance, the best results may be
looked for. But cases with much fever from
the commencement, and of nervous and excita-
BILE temperament, must not be sent to high alti-
tudes. 8. Chronic infiammatOry indurations
and infiltration of limited portions of the lung,
often the result of acute cOngestons and inf1ani-
nations, are especially suitable; not so, how
ever, If a considerable extent of lung in the
seat of tubercuous disease, or if, owing to the
changes in the sound lung. there is much diff
Guilty of breathing. a. Cases Of chronic bron-
chial catarrh in young people; that is to say,
those cases OF tendency to repeated attacks Of
.'cold on the chest" often left behind in chill
dren after whooping cough. measles and other
the chronic winter coughs Of per-
sons more or less advanced in life, or to
cases where there is much permanent short
ness of breath. 5. The results in the shape
VI tnCheHiHSS anu auneSlOnS. OF former attacks
of pleurisy, to which too often the develop
ment of serious subsequent lung disease can be
traced. The pulmonary gymnastics excited by
treatment in high attitudes prove of great value
in these cases. 6. Many cases ofpurey nervous
asthma have been cured in these resorts. 2.
Apart from cases of pulmonary disease, many
other ailments such as general loss of power,
not dependent upon organic diseases-cases Of
nervous exhaustion, Over-wOrk, retarded con-
valescence, in otherwise vigorous constitutions.
certain forms Of dyspepsia and hypochOndriasis,
and other less strictly defnable maladies-
seldom find restoration to health and strength
from prolonged residence in the pure bracng air
of these Alpine statons.-Dr. IT, B. Yeo in the
Fortnightly Reuie,o.