St. Paul daily globe., 1888-07-12
IN THE sULTRY JULY.
Minneapolis Swelters Beneath the Tor
rid Sun.
ETHICS OF SUMMER DRESS
Effects of the Weather on Health. What
Is Worn to Ward Off the
Heat.

Yesterday was the hottest day of the
season. 1t is we'll for the reputation of
Minnesota as summer resort that such
intense heat comes only occasionally.
A week of weather such as that would
make Yucatan seem paradise. AS in
mometer was utterly unreliable, yester-
day these instruments proved them
selves unworthy of the slightest conf
dence, so far as indicating the
suffering by heat was concerned.
1t is exasperating to have the
mercury tell you it is but 104 deg.
when you know perfectly well that it
must be at least It's and upwards.
The highest notch reached yesterday
was 1O6 deg, and from that it
varied to 102 and 100; but no respectable
instrument, with any regard for verac-
ity, was lower than an even 100 at 3
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. Through
out the most of the day delicious
breeze played at intervals and made 1T
possible to live; but the heat was, not
withstanding, almost eXcruciating. In
many stores and offices work was sus-
pended during the extreme heat.
and several factories we're compelled to
shut down. In the glare of the sun it
was 25 deg. warmer, and at points
where the reflections of stone sidewalks
met the reflections of solid buildings it
was even higher. Two of the hottest
spots in the city are the sidewalk ap-
preaching the Milwaukee depot and
the sidewalk on Third street
Just off of First avenue south.
Both points were tested with
a standard thermometer at 3 O'Clock,
and the mercury looomed up to 145 deg.
in the sun. AS pedestrians must con-
stantly be exposed to such heat, the eff
feet is very marked, and yet there were
no serious cases of sunstrOke or heat
paralysis reported during the day. A
shoveler on the motor line was over
come, but was able in few moments to
walk home.
The effect of such weather will be
very marked on the public health, and
the mortuary statement for July will
show an unusually large number of
deaths. I'VE are feeling it already"
said Health Officer Kilvington last
night. 1.-The death reports came piling
in on us to-day, and [ am afraid July
will be heavy month. The extremes
of life are affected most by this weather
very old people and quite young chill
dren suffering greatly. Most of the
deaths reported to-day were OF these
two ages"
Speaking of the public health. an
amusing publication was made IN
over the remarkably wholesome condi-
ton of Minneapolis at present. 1t COM
mented on the fact that the death rate
for June of this year was so much
lighter than for June, 1887, and
drew the conclusion that tie
winter cholera was past and Min
neapolis in most wonderful
sanitary condition. Other papers have
followed. and for day OF two past their
columns have teemed with tlattering
words concerning the city health. 1t
would be well were this all so, but un-
fortunately the facts are against it.
1t chanced that June of this year was
an unusually cool and salubrious month,
while June, 1887, was quite sultry
throughout. The effect on public health
roll climbed up to 23S, while June, 1888,
showed but POI, decrease Of 81. The
latter half of the last month, since the
heated term began, showed three-fifths
of the deaths and the rate has been
on the increase ever since. July will
show a heavy death roll, and the super
heated weather will be largely reSpon-
sible for it. 1t is extremely fortunate
that the cool, delightful evenings follow
the hot days, SO that exhausted human
nature may recuperate the wear and
tear of the day.
1t has been remarked on all sides that
Minneapolis has maize more extensive
preparations for the heat, in the way of
costuming, this year than ever before.
The masculine portion OF the population
has availed itself of several new styles
never before general. This freak has
developed itself more in the line of
shirts and the ''boiled" article has been
almost entirely discarded, except for
evening wear. In its place are linen,
silk, jersey and flannel shirts in all styles
and of every shade of the spectrum.
They are cooler than the immaculate
white linen, do not wilt with
the heat and moisture and re-
main fresh longer. They are
accompanied by an array of coats that
give to the streets the air of tennis
court. BLAZERS" in blue and black stripes
canary and cardinal, crimson and black
and black and white, illuminate private
offices everywhere, and in many cases
with capeS to correspond. Occasionally
an OQu-lOOhlIlS UdShct lidt, IlldI pcIHllS
free circulation of air about the
head, looms up on the street. 1t
resembles a fruit basket and though
odd is comfortable. Wet SpongeS or
mass of moisteued leaves OF grass were
worn in many hats yesterday, and cool
ing medicines known as mint julepS,
gin fiZZes and cobblerS of various styles
and compositions were waited to many
an interior.
Cool attire for this weather is not
limited to the sterner sex, but there is
nothing especially new in the feminine
summer wear, attractive though it is. 1t
is enough to drive to enviOuS distraction
the heavily coated men to see the
white arms and shoulders of pretty
women CLEAN, cool and comfortable,
through a mass of flmy lace; while
every roasted occupant of a close office,
even though stripped to his shirt, can
think with envy of the easy Mother
Hubbard dishabille that marks the in
door attire of his sweetheart.
Comparatively few ladies were on
the streets yesterday, but with
their pongee sun umbrellas and light
white gowns through which the bold
breeze made its way, they laughed at
the suffering of their less fortunate
brothers. With their light wire bustles,
open work arms and yokes and clocked
stockings why should they mind these
rare days in July?
THE CONSPIRACY CASE