The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-03-08
TEXAS THE sroREmoUsE OF HEALTH.

TEXAS THE sToREHOUsE OF HEALTH.
In valuable and most interesting work
entitled. "The Philosophy of Living, or
the Way to Enjoy Life and It's Comforts"
published by Harper d Brothers, New
York, in 1886, DR.. Caleb Tickuor, A. NJ,
NJ. d, a high authority in his day, dis
courses at length on dietetics, hygiene,
climate and the philosophy Of health and
living. In the chapter on "Climate and
Season." after speaking of Florida, he
pays Texas a high compliment. "There
is," he says, ian extensive district border
ing upon the United States, though not
coming within their limits, which must
undoubtedly, in point of salubrity and
and adaptation of climate, equal II not
surpass, any other country on the globe
as a residence for consumptive invalids.
1 refer to Texas, and, if the reports of
travellers speak truth, this region will yet,
as far as its geography and climate are
concerned, become the paradise of the
world. In Texas nothing is reserved for
a hungry, lingering winter; all goes to
market, for summer is perpetual. Two
gardens are common, one for spring
and summer, another for fall and
winter. Oue distinctive character
istic Of this beautiful country is
its exemption from swamps aud stag
nant pools. The land invariably ascends
from the water courses, and, rising to
moderate eminences, precludes the form
alton of swamps or putrid pools to any
injurious extent. This is probably one
efficient cause of the singular purity,
elasticity, and equality of the atmosphere.
While the midsummer air of Louisiana Is
encountered with moisture and surcharged
with noxious miasma, the pure air of
Texas is refreshed and renewed by lively
breezes from the ocean, rolling over
dry, verdant, varying surface and im art
ing health and vigOr to all that inhaie
them. Here, then, is a country where
perpetual summer smiles, anu where the
fle ds are always green; where an invalid
may have fruits and vegetables fresh from
the garden, which is sometimes an i'm
portant consideration, each day IN the
year. Here, too, is an 'equable stmos.
phere' sufficiently warm and moist in the
winter months, and not loaded with mOis-
ture ard poisonous eflluvia in the summer.
Nothing in the south of Europe will com
pare with this"
Doctor Tioknors compliment to the
climate of Texas Is the more valuable be
cause it is put in comparison with the
climate, not only Of the northern states of
our own country, but also with that of the
most favored parts of Southern Europe,
and this, too, after careful study of the
subject. "The south of Europe" he say
sis considered that happy cline, which,
il once reached by oonsumptive invalid,
is sure to make his disease disappear, and
that blessed region where those predis-
posed to lung affections are to enjoy long
life and uninterrupted health, without the
fear of consumption before their eyes.
But il We compare the number of those
who go there to deposit their remains
with the number of those who visit there
actually diseased, and who return with i'm
proved health, we shall find but small en-
enlargement for leaving our own country.
Doctor Johnson, physician to the King of
Great Britain, in treatise on Change of
Air. says, in relation to the climate of
Italy: The very circumstance, in short,
which forms the charm, the attraction, the
theme of praise ia the Italian climate,
is that which renders it dangerous be-
cause deceitful, namely, the long inter-
walls OF fine weather between vicissitudes
OF great magnitude. This is the bane of
Italy, whose brilliant sun and balmy
zephyrs natter only to betray. They first
enervate the constitution, and, when the
body is ripe for the impression of the
tramoutane, that ruthless blast descends
from the mountains on its hapless victim
more fierce and destructive than the out
lawed bandits on the unsus pecting
traveller" The excavation referred to
results Chi fly from the humidity of the
low ATTITUDES of Italy. In Central, North
ern and Western Texas the climate in
summer is usually dry, slightly but suf.
foiently tempered with moisture by the
constant gulf breezes that cover almost
the entire area of the state. Our occa-
sional and very brief "northers" in winter
have not, therefore, the deleterious effect
on health produced by the sharp, tramon-
tame winds of Italy.
Such facts about the climate of Texas are
what should be known TO the world. 1t is
of such matter our immigration treatises
should be composed. Let the true state
of our climate, soil and resources be known
to the world and Texas would shortly be
flooded with immigrants.
THE PANHANDLE.