Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1894-08-14

As o Resort for Persons With
Weak Lungs.


hNAJ N~VnDAinifNAJ thnt tAu CAAuAhAAD
conditions most inimical to the
development and increase of
chronic pulmonary disease are, on
the one hand, a life on the ocean
away from the land, and on the
other, residence at a certain alti-
tude, say from 5000 to 5000 feet,
where the sunlight is abundant
throughout the year and the air
comparatively free from aqueous
vapor.
As a natural consequence the
medical profession has not been
slow in testing and proiting by
the therapeutic effects Of those
conditions that present such favor
able prophylactic results, and it
may be said with little fear Of con-
tradiction that today the climatic
treatment Of chronic pulmonary
disease is the one most relied upon
to bring about early and perman-
eut results.
Cod liver oil, iron, the hypo-
phosphites, outdoor exercise, and
the many other tonic measures SO.
often resorted to for the purpose
Of removing debility, are coming
to be regarded as bridges from
emergency to emergency, rather
than distractions stemming the
implacable tide Of disease. Cures
produced by these agents have
been observed, but they are as
uncertain as they are uncommon,
and only serve as further argu-
ment why those who desire more
than temporary alienation should
seek to attain this consummation
by immediate and permanent
change of residence.
When we come to the question
of the plodding medical practitioner
thus surrenderlng a remunerative
case for the sake Of principle and
the benefit Of the said case, and
the still more important one Of the
patient leaving a comfortable
home, perhaps changing the char.
acter Of his business occupation
to go to another country will
strange people and surroundings
it must be remembered that it is a
chance for life, aye, renewed health
and vigor through an indefinite
period Of years. Aud this chance
for the patient is to be balanced
against prolonged invalidism will
death its happiest outcome.
II is not intended here to dwell
upon the remarkable immunity
from pulmonary diseases enjoyed
by sailors and other esafaring PEG
pie, as is evidenced, for example
by the very low death-rate from
these affections in the American
and British n%avies, an immunit.
due in a large degree to the salt
ness and freedom from contamino
ton Of the respired sea air, tc
gether with the constant exposur
to sunlight. But as a life on tn
ocean, except for single voyages
is not practicable to the majorit
of invalids this mode Of treatmer
becomes applicable only TO
minimum Of cases.
Many places throughout Ii
United States have been extolle
as health resorts for person
threatened with or suffering fro
phthisis, and a catalogue even {
the most prominent Of them woul
take up more space than can |
permitted in this article. But fe
of them have been found benehcii
longer than one or two seasons {
each year, and as a result the vi
offending consumptiye, constant
seeking a suitable climate, has b.
come, like the accursed jew in Il
legend, a wanderer on the face
the earth.
The concensus of opinion giy'
forth by those who have studio
climatology both in the old al
new world has been well express.
in the following synopsis drawn
byDr. Charles D%enison, Of De
ver. Colo, which may be regard.
as the necessary requirements +
any q innate in which tuberculo.
patients can expect to attain pc
manelt health:
L. Dryness as opposed TO moi
ture.
3 Goodness OF cold proferat
10 warmth or heat
B. Rarefaction as opposed
sea-lovel pressure.