The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-28
CLIMATE AND DISEASE.
Proper Choice Of Climate for an In-
valid Is a. Nice Question.
Sew York Sun.

New York sun
The London Lancet. in recent issue, dis
cusses the views put forth with regard to
the influence of climate disease by DR..
Hermann Weber and DR. Michael Foster, in
of Allbutt's System of Medicine" AS the
subject is an interesting and important one.
IT may be well to outline the conclusions
which are supported by high authority.
1t has been said that the subject is an inn
portant one, but the extent of its import
ance, until lately. was not recognized fully.
Formerly climatic treatment was almost re-
stricted to diseases of the respiratory or
gans; now we know that the treatment OF
almost every chronic deviation from health
may be assisted by iudicous change Of clt-
mate What IS still often lacking on the
part of patients and practitioners alike ia
precision in the choice of locality and due
appreciation of the capabilities and limita-
tons of climatic treatment 1t is as absurd
for physician TO recommend given place
on general principles as IL iS for diseased
person to assume that n change of air alone
will suffice TO cure his ma lady. Even In the
case of phthisis. which Eas received an ex-
ceDtional amount of attention and study,
the selection of suitable climate Is often
a difficult problem. not merely from the OBJ
security of the subject. but also owing to the
fact that choice is often eircumscribed by
extraneous considerations. Thus. Ii a pa
tent be poor a locality must be selected
where there are facilities for earning a
livelihood; and. in any event the need OF
securing suitable Recommendations and con-
genial surroundings and companionship
must be kept in view. A locality theoreti-
cally desirable meteorological grounds
may be too inaccessible. or there may be a
lack of civilized society, occupation and
amusement
Passing over these secondary questions,
which comDicate the matter. We come TO
the primary inquiry whether in the case of
phthi calling for climatic trea tment high
attitudes are likely to be suitable. 1t will
not do to assume that the answer will be
always in the affirmative. Sometimes IL Is
better for the patient TO go TO such a sea-
side resort the Riviera, or TO the Nile
valley. or to an island like MADEIRA, some
times a sea voyage should be recommended.
There is no doubt that early cases of ini-
lateral or bilateral phthisis ia young and
fairly vigorous persons in whom the dis
ease is of limited character should ba
sent to q mountainous region. like Switzer-
land. or Colorado, the Adirondacks. The
chief a-indications to the mountains
are held TO be, 1t seems, albuminuria. de-
generative diseases of blood vessels. ulcera-
ton of the intestines advanced laryngeat
mischief. active differentiation, extensive
destruction of lung tissue. constitutionaf
erithism and advanced age These are pro-
nounced by the Lancet to be thoroughly
sound rules. Ii used 70 be taught In the
profession that if a ohthisical patient had
suffered from hemorrhage this should be
regarded as a bar to either sea voyage or
the mountains. The true view is. according
to the Lancet, that while an existing or
very recent hemorrhage precudes change
of climate altogether. past hemorrhage il
no bar TO the mountains to sea voyage.
The contra indications TO the sea are
laryngeal and intestinal complications and
fever: on the other hand. a sea voyage is
useful where phthisis is part OF n general
breakdown from overwork or in cases OF
limited lung consolidation without fever.
sojourn for persons who find the Alps. or
mountains OF equal altitude, too cold. or
where phthiss rs complicated with catarrh-
al pneumonia bronchitis. MADEIRA Is
preferable where there Is much irritability
OF the mucous membrane. The patients who
may be sent to Egypt are these who find
even the Riviera too cold or those I'm whom
phthisis is associated with albuminuria,
provided there has been no great destruc-
ton of lung tissue; and these fnally, whose
conspicuous symptoms are insomnia ana
nervous irritablity.
are intestinal liberation, or a tendency to
diarrhoea or the early occurrence OF acute
preumGnic symptoms. Thus we see what
mistake 1t Is TO take IT for granted that AL
sufferers from phthisis are benefited by the
mountain air: on the contrary. a careful
study of n given case Is requisite In order
to determine the particular locality from
which benefit may be expected.
The rules for other diseases are much
simpler Thus govt and rheumatism demand
warm and dry inland climates, or fairly
Nam senshores For most cases of nervous
disc rder the mountains are. OF the whole.
unsuitable. and the Lancet also thinks that
sea voyages are contra-ndicated, herein re-
Versing the opinion expressed by DIR. Weber
and DR.. Foster. Scrofula l. e. iymphatic
tuberculosis. is, on the other hand. notably
benefited by bracing marine resort, ana
for this malady sea voyages are also usefui.
Bronchitis i'm young persons is often ameli-
Grated by the mountains; but Tor elderly
persons the Riviera, Egypt and the Cunar-
les that is TO say. "A warm seashore or
insular climate. are held more suitable.
Asthma is too erratic a disease TO admit or
definite rules: many estimates do best in
large towns. Young sufferers from asthma
are often relieved by a stay in the Alps or
similar mountain regions: those who are
more advanced in years are recommended
to try Egypt or the Riviera.
The Lancet has rendered service by
showing the necessity of nice discrimination
i'm the selection of climates considered as
remedial agencies. 1t also consoles those
who for one reason another. are unable
to leave home. by reminding them thar
with iudicious management IL Is often pos
sible for an invalid to obtain great benefit
ny aVaiIinR himself of all the advantages
and defending himself from the Injurious
influences of his home climate.