The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-27
CLIMATE AND HEALTH.

The Popular Science Monthly has printed
an able lecture delivered before the New
York Academy of Medicine. by DR.. Charles
Fayette Taylor on "Climate and Health"
1t calls the attention of the medical fra
ternlty not only to the benefits which may
be secured from study of climate in re-
latlon to health, but also to the prevalent
neglect with which physicians treat this
important subject.
The paper starts with the broad PROPOSE
ton that a change from one climate to a
different one involves certain functional
notifications which we term acclimatiza-
ton, and that as there is in this process an
expenditure of vital forces it becomes nee
essary to ascertain whether this may likely
prove beneficial or injurious. Thus, it be-
ing admitted that in a particular case a
change of climate is desirable, it becomes
the highest duty of the physician to ascer-
tain what climate is required and exactly
where it may be found.
OF course, as the lecturer points out, the
mere change from one set of meteorologi-
cal conditions to another set having ex-
actly the qualities sought is not the only
change experienced. In addition to it we
have change of scene, diet, occupation,
pleasures and local sanitary conditions,
and they all deserve attention.
He devotes considerable space to the re-
markable conditions prevalent in Califor-
MIA, where, according to DR.. Remondino,
there are seven distinct kinds of climate,
all different from one another and from
any climate 10 be found in the East
ern States; and yet it is common for doc
tors in the East to advise simply that their
patients go to California for the benefit of
the climate. Without some specific in
formation" says the lecturer, "such a
patient is likely to drop into place better
calculated to shorten than to prolong his
days. To be sure, all the climates of Cali
fornia are characterized by dryness ex-
ceeding what is known in the East, and
this fact gives some relative advantages
But unquestionably the air may be too dry
in certain localities for certain cases."
Attention is then called to the worthless
ness of mean temperature reports and of
thermometrical readings in general. The
thermometer, indeed, is one of the least val
liable indications of climate. "Tn the in
terror valleys of California" explains the
lecturer, 81 have seen the thermometer in
dictate 100 to 10 degrees F. for days and
weeks together and no one complained OF
the heat as excessive, while all labor of
man and beast went on as usual and pros
trations are unknown. In New York,
when summer heat approaches 80 degrees
we expect many prostrations and some
Deaths" The question OF breezes and hui
nudity explains the difference.
He then mentions striking popularity
of California. 1.-The Sacramento Valley, "
he says, sis very hot in the summer, but it
is also dry, SO that friends of mine would
kill beef and elevate the carcass by means
Of rope and pulley to the top of a tall pole,
let it down from time to time to cut from
it, and it would keep perfectly sweet until
it was all eaten up" This is because of
the great dryness OF the air. "There is no
doubt" he explains, "that considerable
moisture in the air favors the growth of
minute organisms and decomposition of
matter takes place rapidly under the in
fuence of heat and moisture
The conclusion of the lecturers investi-
cations is that the main desideratum in
seeking q change of climate is to secure
comfort, and he adds climate which,
apart from the elements contributing to
give greater efficiency to the simple matter
of change, is found to be best for an in
valid is best for person in sound health.