The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-08-14
Facts About ThrOn-Diuck.

We take the following extract from
the report of Assistant Surgeon A. E.
Wells of the Northwest Mounted Po-
| lice for the year 1885:
"It may be of interest to mention
something concerning the climate, mode
Of living and the people generally and
the diseases met with.
The climate is wet. The rainfall last
summer was heavy. Although there is
almost a continuous sun in summer
time evaporation is very slow owing to
the thick moss which will not conduct
the heat, in consequence the ground is
always swampy. II Is only after several
years of draining that ground will be-
come sufficiently dry to allow the frost
to so out and then only for a few feet.
During the winter months the cold is
intense with usually considerable wind.
A heavy mist rising from open
places in the river settles down in the
valley in calm, extreme weather. This
dampness makes the cold to be felt
much more and is conducive to rheu-
matte pains, colds, etc.
Miners are mixed class of people.
They represent many natiOnalities and
come from all climates. Their lives are
certainly not enviable. The regulation
miners cabin" is l2xl4 feet with walls
six feet and gables eight feet in height.
The roof is heavily earthed and the
cabin is generally very warm. Two,
and sometimes three or four men will
occupy a house of this size. The ven
tiation is usually bad. Those miners
who do not work their claims during
the winter contine themselves i'll these
small huts most of the time.
Very often they become indolent and
careless, only eating those things which
are most easily cooked or prepared.
during the busy time in summer when
they are ''shovelllng in" they work
hard and for long hours. sparing little
time for eating and much less for cook
ing.
This manner of living is quite COM
mon amongst beginners, and soon leads
to debility and sometimes to scuryy.
Old miners have learned from expert
ence to value health more than gold,
and they therefore spare no expense in
procuring the best and most varied out
fit of food that can be obtained.
In a cold climate such as this, where it
is impossible to get fresh vegetables and
fruits, i. is most important that the best
substitutes for those should be provided
Nature helps to supply these wants by
growing cranberries and other wild
fruits in abundance, but men III summer
are usually too busy to avail themselves
of these.
The diseases met with in this country
are dyspepsia, anrmia. scurvy caused
by improperly cooked food, sameness
OF diet, overwork, want of fresh vege-
getables, overheated and badly venti-
lated houses; rheumatism. pneumonia,
bronchitis, enteritis, cystitis and other
acute diseases, from exposure to wet
and cold; debility and chronic diseases,
due to excuses. Ncnereal diseases are
not uncommon. One case OF typhoid
fever occurred in Forty Mile last fall,
probably due to drinking water polluted
with decayed vegetable matter"
Speaking of the kind of men neces-
sary to make good policemen he SAYS:
Men should be sober, strong and
healthy. They should be practical men,
able to adapt themselves quickly to
their surroundings. Those of a
sullen. morose natures, are very
apt as soon as the novelty of the country
wears off, to become dissatisfied, pessi-
mistic and melancholy"
Only healthy men of cheerful, hope
full disposition should 60 to the Thron-
duck country.