The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-29
TT APPEALS FOR THEIR PRESER-
WALTON AS BOON TO CON-
SUMPTIVES.
is Mentioned as One of the Elements
Which Does Much to Destroy
the Tubercle.

monary maladies to climates where
the disease is durable. The society is
one which may claim field in Mime
sofa for two reasons, both of which
were more or less directly laid before
the audience at last nights meeting
First, this state, in it's still intact tract
of virgin pine near the head waters OF
the Mississippi has retreat for VIC
Tins of those diseases which, within
certain limits, may become mecca in
the future for those threatened with
the fatal tubercule. Second, the in
creasing prevalence of the dread NAL
ady makes it a topic close to many.
Not all the men and women present
at last nights meeting were consump-
tives, by any means.
The society is of national extent. 1t
is already the beneficiary Of bill
which has been passed by the federal
senate and which now lies before the
house Of representatives, ceding to the
society the certain property owned by
it in Santa Fe, including the site Of the
old capitol of the then territory. 1t
was at first proposed to get old Fort
Staunton for the invalids, but it being
100 miles from railroad the Santa
F'e property is deemed better
Stereopticon views Of a number of
health resorts were shown, illustrative
of an address by DR.. w. P. Roberts, of
Minneapolis. Among the resorts TO be
found desirable by conSumptiveS were
mentioned Las Vegas and Ojo Caliente.
Other addresses were made by Rev. D.
N. Beach, of Minneapolis, and Rev. w.
r. Lord, of this city, the latter reading
a paper by DR.. Thomas G. Duncan, who
had been expected to be present, but
could not come.
In this paper DR.. Duncan said
We live, move and have our being in an
aerial ocean that extends about fifty miles
| above. The rapid revolution of our globe
adds to it's pressure At sea level it is es-
timated at fifteen pounds to the square incn.
On Pixies Peak one-half that. Possibly that
accounts for the buoyant feeling of relief
that is experienced in high attitudes.
When people well, the great pressure
at the sea level may not be noticed but
when the body is relaxed and Frustrated by
becomes burden. The great mortality of the
seaboard cities may find a partial explana-
ton in atmospheric pressure.
He discussed the atmosphere scientifically,
noting it's elements, oxygen, nitrogen, hydro
gen and carbon, and then continued:
The higher city the dryer is the afr as
rule and the healthier in certain direc-
tions Most of the large cities of the world
are situated within 500 feet of sea level and
even lower What the effect upon the health
Of people in the highest cities is still a ques-
ton Of deep interest, only partially solved
1t is found that there is little consum3)tion
above $500 feet altitude. There should be
little or none in towns situated a mile high.
Possibly that is one reason there is so little
consumption in New Mexico. This disease is
most prevalent in low-lying sections, all over
the world, especially where cold is added to
the moisture generally present. In high and
dry sections there is less carbon in the air
and hence less Vegetation. seem
to run very rapid course. The absence of
moisture and carbOnic dioxde allows an eX-
ira amount of sunshine. Sunlight kills the
baccilli of consumption.
In windy sections we may expect to meet
many mental vagaries. The wind whims of
Kansas and Colorado, and perhaps Nebraska,
may possibly be cause and effect. THIS is a
| problem for the medical statesmen to solve
The healthiest sections in the world are in
the temperate zones. 1t was mistake that
these zones were given the most land. Alti-
tude equals latitude.
One reason for the enormous population of
India is perhaps because each state or prov
ince has hills mountains for resorts. The
same is true OF other flourishing tropical
countries.
Moisture, marked by the RAINFALL is a eli
matte element effecting the healthfulness of a
section. 1t takes about twenty inches of
precipitation year, equally distributed, to
make cereal vegetation grow normally. More
than that changes the character of crops
with warmth added, the tropical fruits ap-
pear. Wher the moisture is excessive the
sunlight is deficient, and many diseases pre-
vail.
In the six New England states there have
died annually about $1,000 people from con
sumption. In Massachusetts alone, from 1870
to 1890, the average deaths from this disease
were 1919 human beings An army Boston
loses 1900 Of its inhabitants annually from
tuberculosis. In Brooklyn the number is
2,000. Michigan, a state surrounded by water
lost $4,000 of its inhabit ants by this fell dis
ease in the ten years from 1880 to 1890. Sta
tistics show that a rare warm air, with a
minimum of moisture. is favorable for the
cure of consumption.
In New Mexico only per cent of the deaths
are due to consumption. Arizona is equally
immune. In Colorado, California and even
in Minnesota. all resort states for consump-
ton, the mortality is only per cent of the
total deaths.
Plants give off oxygen and absorb carbonic
acid gas. Vegetation in moderate amount
is therefore a valuable health agent. Grow
ing pine forests have the reputation of ar
resting cases of consumption. They are ever
green fountains of life. 1t is healthy where
they grow. The pine forests should be pre-
sumptives. The pine forests of Minnesota
should rival those of New Jersey, the Adj
rondacks North Carolina.
knowing climatic effects are in meas
ure prepared to outline a course of direc-
lions as to cure by climate. But change
Of climate can do harm as we'll as good
Nervousness developed in this section would
not be benefited by going to Denver, for
example.
If the patients should select for them
selves, they might make the wrong selec-
ton and disastrous results follow. Malaria,
the old-fashioned ague. caused, years ago,
more immigration than any other disease ex-
cept consumption Now "change of climate,
Is the standard. advice for cases of tuher
culosfs. There are thousands of people now
alive in the high, dry sections of the West
who owe their lives to timely change of
climate
Man lives on air, food and drink. The
two latter are soil products. Climate effects
these. No. 1 hard wheat cannot be raised
farther south. Soil, clayey, or limestone, holds
moisture and are believed to be active fac
tors in producing disease, especially tuEer-
culosis
When, with the foul atmospheric conditions
produced by moisture and carbon, we have
the local soil conditions mentioned there IL
where consumption carries fl hosts Of pee
pie.
Man is busy changing tho face Of nature
| for better or for wore What man has ,loue
| in the way of bliliing cities. cutting off for
ests, planting trees, cultivating the SOIL build
| ing railroads and stringing telegraph wires,
will have a dreaded effect upon local eli
matte conditions. Aside from denudation and
| cultivation, the general effect has been to
| increase oxygen and electricity. Both improve
| the air. The situation of cities is favorable
or unfavorable, as to these agents. River
| cities favorable situations. The same is
| true of cities on lakes that ventilated by
| rivers. Seaside cities affected by the tides
| are not so favorable. Every city makes it's
| local climate. The size of a city can he
| told by the size Of the cloud Of smoke that
| hangs over it. Smoke interferes with light /:
| 1t is more, 1t is a menace to life. Our cit
| liens are being injured by the chimney smoke
| and foul air. City ventilation will yet be an
| important sanitary problem. We now have
| light towers and water towers. In the future
model city will be ventilating shafts The
| large amount of fuel that now escapes into
| the air to kill Vegetation and cause sickness
will be found a by-product of great CONNER
cial value. 1t Is wise statesman that can