Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1894-07-24

tudes Of 3,764 feet and 1000 feet
respectively, The weaker the pa.
tent the more prolonged should
be his journey to high attitudes.
The opinions of medical men as
to the effect Of the climate Of New
Mexico upon patients with organic
heart disease vary considerably,
but the writer is with the major
ity when he advises such patients
not to go higher than 1000 feet,
OF, TO put it more practically, no
further north than Las Cruces or
Ia Mesilla.
The reader will observe that
with one exception the altitude Of
the stations here given increases
from south to north, causing n
much more marked difference of
temperature than would be pro-
duced by latitude alone; and the
advantages of climate enjoyed by
Silver City are due in part to the
fact that while it is nearly as far
south as Las Cruces it has an alti-
tude of 1000 feet more.
An interesting feature of the
climate Of New Mexico, upon
which sufficient stress has not been
laid, is the increased electrical ten
sion of the body experienced in
the cold days of winter. The
therapeutic effect of this is far
reaching, inasmuch as it involves
other forms of debility than that
produced by pulmonary disease,
and more particularly diseases of
the nervous system.
Upon this subject DR.. Z. W..
Seward of Goshen, N. Y, has said
IN an article read in 1892 before
the American Health Resort Asso-
ciotion:-
"Lessened induction of electric
fluid gives rise to a more positive
state Of the body. A positive state
is one of energy, functional activ-
ity, and consequently of increased
nutrition and strength. 1t has
been demonstrated within q COM
paratively recent date that men
employed about electrical works,
and particularly on electric street
cars, or where there is a large in
duction Of electric fluid, have ex-
perienced immunity in a large de-
gree from chronic ailments. The
atmosphere Immediately about
them is heavily charge with cleo
trlcity, hence hat within does not
flow from them. Virtue has not
gone out of them. 1t is a ques-
ton if the enervation we expert
ence from warm, damp weather is
not largely due to the rapid out
flow of electric current, or in other
words, to a mere negative state of
the system. Contrast with this
enervation the stimulating iufu-
ence of a cold, clear, crisp atmos-
pierre, when the humidity is con-
gealed and the air becomes a less
perfect conductor.
In studying the climatology Of
our country from this standpoint
and admitting the value of the
above mentioned attributes, as on,
must, 1 am ready to affirm hat il
no other section will the perfect
ion of these be so nearly found, o.
approached, as in New Mexico"
The present writer recalls seY
eral occasions during the past win
ter when, after a walk in the hill
about Silver City, he shook handI
with persons causing them to star
at the electric shock received il
the touch of fingers. Exercising
in the dry air he had becom.
charged with electricity. and Oh
the first contact had discharges
the fluid, like the shock from
Leyden jar.
A lady residing in Silver City
who has a heavy suit of hair whicI
she is fond Of having combed by
companion, has been compelled t
forego this process in cold weathe
on account of the burning pail
produced by it.
To those who have faith in tn.
efficacy Of pine forests, it may b
said that the mountains about Sill
yer City are covered with thes
trees, and may be reached IN
fifteen minutes walk to the north
east or west. The hills of th
town proper are almost withou
trees, being covered with bea
grass and varieties Of the mague.