The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-21
HOT COUNTRIES.
1t Is Believed Northern White Men
Can Live in Them
From the kansas City Journall


1t is in the testimony from those who
have made researches into the subject
that northern white men can people the
tropics without any great sacrifice in
health This is a complete reversal of
common opinion and report, and yet 1t
cannot be denied that the scientific men
have given US some almost conclusive
data in support of their opinions For
example. it is pretty hard to get over the
reports of the English surgeon general
who gives voluminous statistics to show
that there is less mortality among the
children in India. than among the native
Hindoo children. To be sure, the sur
geon general attributes this circum-
stance 10 the better sanitary conditions
which prevail among the whites. but that
in no wise affects the general conclu-
sion that the white race may thrive and
enjoy average health in countries close
TO the equator.
1t is the statement of DR.. Sanlbon, the
savant of European reputation. that there
is nothing in the equatorial climate IN the
way of plaques or disease that is not due
to parasites which may be found In al
most all the climates of the earth, the
difference being that in the tropical coun-
tries the bacilI thrive wonderfully under
the favoring high temperature. Science Is
making rapid strides in the direction of
successfully combating disease organisms,
whether they be found IN greater or less
numbers, and it is not an overly Ven
tureSome opinion to say that the time
is approaching when all the plaques of
the earth will come under hygienic and
medicinal control. More than one scien-
tific man has pointed out that the even
temperatures of the tropical regions do
not demand so hardy constitution as is
required by the long, cold winters and the
fierce hot summers of the so-called tenn
perate zones, and 1t should not be for
gotten that the hot climates of the earth
were the original home of the whole
human race.
Undoubtedly the public mind has great
ly overestimated the heat rainfall and
other climatic phenomena in both Cuba
and the Philippines. We have before us
a pamphlet issued by the United States
Department of Agriculture, division of
climatology, which contains in its pages
all that is authoritatively Known of the
climate in both these counties. The gen.
eral belief is that in Cuba the heat and
rainfall are infinitely greater than in any
part of the country, whereas, In reality,
the average summer temperature of Ha-
vana is but little longer than that of New
Orleans. while its rainfall is actually
less" Continuing. this report says: THE
climate of the low coast lands of Cuba is
that of the torrid zone, and in the rainy
seasons doubtless exercises a perncious
effect upon the health of unacclmated
white men. The higher interior of the ISL
and offers more temperate atmosphere
Once acclimated the white man is as free
from disease as the residents of any of
the Southern States"
Referring to the Philippines. the report
says: 1.-The average temperature of Ma
Mia is 50 degrees f. The months of April.
May and June are the hottest part of
the year. May, with an average tempera-
ture of 81 degrees F., is the hottest of
the three. The highest thermome er read
ing recorded is 100 degrees F., and this
was observed in May. The average rela-
tive humidity is IS per cent The average
absolute humidity is SIS grains in a cubic
foot The average rainfall is 7543 inches,
of which 1859 inches, more than 81 per
cent, fall during the month of July.
All of this becomes of unusual interest
because of the certainty that many Amer
leans will seek new homes in the lands
that have been or will be conquered from
Spain. The indomitable energy and the
venturesome spirit of the northern white
man has taken him into every corner of
the globe where promise seemed to be
held forth, and the alIurements of the