Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1894-07-31
SILVER CITY. NEW MEXICO.
As a Resort FOR Persons With
Weak Lungs.
BY Hrvnr wnArAn BLANC, NJ D.

very cOncluslVely that the climatic
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
Glow in testing and profting by
tho 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 aud perman-
ent 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 surrendering 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 with
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. And this chance
for the patient is to be balanced
against prolonged inyalidism with
death its happiest outcome.
1t is not intended here to dwell
upon the remarkable immunity
from pulmonary diseases enjoyed
by sailors and other seafaring peo-
pie, as is evidenced, for example,
10y the very low death. rate from
these affections in the American
aud British n%avies, an immunity
due in a large degree to the salt.
ness and freedom from contamina.
ton of the respired sea air, to-
gether with the constant exposure
TO sunlight. But as a life on the
ocean, except for single voyages
Is not practicable to the majority
of invalids this mode Of treatment
becomes applicable only TO 4
minimum of cases.
Many places throughout tn,
United States have been extolleC
as health resorts for persons
threatened with or suffering from
phthigis, and a catalogue even Of
the most prominent Of them would
take up more space than can be
permitted in this article. But few
of them have been found beneficial
longer than one or two seasons Of
each year, and as a result the un.
offending consumptiye. constantly
seeking a suitable climate, has be
come, like the accursed jew in tn,
legend, a wanderer on the face o.
the earth.
The concensus Of opinion giyeI
forth by those who have studieC
climatology both in the old ant
new world has been we'll expressed
in the following synopsis drawn NJ
by DR.. Charles Denison, Of Den.
yer, Colo, which may be regarded
as the necessary requirements fol
any climate in which tuberculoui
patients can expect to attain per.
manent health:
/. Dryness rs opposed 10 mois.
ture.
2. Coolness OF cold preferable
TO warmth or heat
3. Rarefaciion as opposed Il
sea-leyel pressure.
A. Sunshine as opposed &c