Arizona republican., 1890-06-15
HEALTHFUL PHOENIX. Opinions of Experts on the
 Subject. No Work for Doctors in the
 Hot Months.
Interviews with Leading Physicians Show that the Healthiest Sea-
 son Here Is in Summer.

health, THE REPUBLICAN was led to an
 inquiry into the comparative healthful-
 ness of the summer climate of the Salt
 River Valley as compared with that of
 the milder months of the other seasons.
 Naturally, for evidence upon health
 or sickness, the physicians of place
 are the best authority. A reporter accordingly approached several of the
 physicians of the city upon the subject.
 'I have been medical practitioner for fortv-seven years, the last seventeen in Phpnix," said Dr. J. F.. Wharton, when approached on the subject. ''This is remarkably healthy country and thus far no diseases peculiar to this section have been discovered. When we take into consideration the large number of invalids who seek this valley as sanitarium and the almost utter disregard paid to the laws of health by the older settlers and their families, the death rate being so low seems almost miraculous.
 During the heated term from the middle of June until the middle of September, our profession have scarcely anything to do. Much as people may prate about the trying ordeal of our summer climate it yet remains fact that can be proven by every medical man in Phoenix, that during the warm season there is almost entire immunity from sickness. With the present population of about six thousand in Phoenix and vicinity, one physician attending all calls from now to the middle of September will still find ample leisure time for amusement or other pursuits. Such has been the case for the past seventeen summers and doubt if there is another region in the world where the profession is, by genial nature, awarded SO generous vacation.
 The healthfulness of our climate is most noticeably proven by the children of American parents born here. The best place to note this is in the assemblage of pupils at the public schools. The girls all glowing with life and health like garden of lovely flowers and the boys sturdy in all the strength and exuberance of spirits of the garden of the Lord in the generous production and healthful growth of the rising generation"
 Dr. k. l.. Rosson, who has had long experience in Arizona, having been resident of Phoenix for about twelve years, said:
 ''I notice marked decrease in the sick roll of the valley during the summer. Much of this decrease is due to the fact that throat and lung troubles manifest themselves but little during the heated term. The valley is healthy one, in any season."
 Dr. Louis Stein, who has had an extensive practice in this city for over five years, answered the reporter substantially as follows:
 ''So great number of people leave our city every year, as soon as the warm season sets in, that anybody not acquainted with the climate must naturally surmise that such an exodus can only be explained by fear of sickness, intention to flee an epidemic, etc. think it is time that these false impress siOns should be removed from the mind of the world at large, for nothing indeed could keep settlers from our surround ings as much as the idea that families cannot summer in safety. If I consult my books find that my business falls 'i o''uN hitNN pNi NNlil aS opou dS lllt season turns warm.
 pneumonia, pleurisy, with rare excep- tions, disappear entirely and the asthmatics pray for the warm season like the children of Israel for the coming of Moses. Let me tell right here fact which, perhaps, is not understood as fully as it ought to be for the sake of suffering humanity, that in all my travels over Europe and the United states have never found place where asthmatics do as well, live with as little discomfort as they do right here in Phoenix. But the scarcity of lung troubles during the summer cannot account alone for the reduction of sickness to such an extent; it really shows the working of Mills bill in all its branches and forms. And above all, we have less of that dreadful disease that causes half the mortality of the human race. l mean the summer of infancy. Considering all things, believe that families raising cannot do better than to stay right here in Phoenix during the summer. May be they will suffer a little from heat; maybe the mothers could not have such gay time as they would in San Francisco, but the family will be rewarded by less sickness and more vigorous health."
 Dr. Hughes was next quizzed by the reporter and expressed himself pleased to add to the testimony already gained. The Doctor said:
 'l have practiced my profession in this city for four years and this is my fourth summer. In regard to the relative healthfulness of the several seasons, l think my books will show that l do at least fifty per cent less practice in summer than in winter; perhaps the months of June, July and August would show better health rate than any other three months in the year. And you know fifty per cent difference cannot be accounted for by people being away during those months. don't think the absentees would make 2 difference of more than ten per cent, leaving forty per cent difference in the natural health rate of our people. I have practiced medicine in a hot climate Tor fourteen years and l notice here an almost entire absence of the diseases common to hot countries."
 The testimony of these gentlemen, all hgh, Tn their profession, should be conclusive evidence that the Salt River Nally has the healthiest climate in the