The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-24
THE CLIMATE OF TEXAS
Most Favorable Conditions Are In the
Transpecos Region.
INvIGoRATlNG EFFECTS OF THE CLIMATE
A section of Country that Furnishes
Several Wonderful Health Re-
sorts--Fort Davis.

NJ. D., of Houston was published in a re-
cent issue Of the Medical Record OF New |
York;:
The Importance OF climate in its relation
TO health and disease has been recognized |
rom the earliest times by writer's on medi-
cine It is only. however OF recent date |
that climatology has assumed scientific |
aspect as may be seen from the frequent |
references in literature as well as from
the numerous works on this subject.
The science, IL it may be 80 called, is by |
no means an exact one, as marked differ |
ences of opinion are held regarding soms |
OF its fundamental principles. This is due
in large measure TO the man, and un-
usual difficulties met at every stage of ITS
study and the further fact that it is only
of recent date that the matter has been
given serious attention. DR.. Fonssagriycs,
an authority, Is credited with the remark
that several centuries must pass before
clilnatology shall have become an elabo-
rate science.
The atmosphere, as we know, is most
unstable agent, varying greatly in its com
position, it's movements, its humidity, tenn
rerature and density, not only in different
sections oil the same country, as might be
expected nut we find the same region in
different years presenting unusual condt'
lions and unlookedfor extremes. In fact.
the exceptions will often infringe upon
the rule, as IL Is not uncommon for re-
peated and impartial investigation to dis
close many serious detects ii tie climate
Of certain locality that had been heralded
by an enthusiastic observer as a veritable
paradise of health and comfort. As an in
NJ he ,fvl, old fnn IA NJ
sort known as Dayos in the Ssiss Alps
may be mentioned. This village lies in
valley. surrounded by mountains at an
elevation of 5l00 feet above the sea level.
Its virtues were eXtolled in such glowing
terms by few writer's that It might have
been called to use the words of recent
writer, 1.-THE capital city of the world as
regards It's health giving atmosphere. Re
cent Investigations have shown that the
benefits derived from this place, especially
in the case OF phthisicai patients, have
been exaggerated. Among other things
unfavorable, it is now stated that only
about every other year Is the winter cli-
mate suitable for this class of iuvalidS;
that there is an average of forty cloudy
days during the winter; that out of to-
tai OF 1871 days during tho winter and
spring OF 1877 and 1878, 80 were Disagree
able, due In part TO melting SHOWS, high
| winds, humidity of atmosphere, defective
drainage, etc And then, again In regard
TO the famous Riviera, recent reporter
has stated that "tbe perpetual spring, th-
eternal summer, and the warm balmy
southern atmosphere described to the
reader in such glowing terms exist only
in the imagination OF the writer"
These descriptions by recent observers
probably only give the darker side of the
picture but at the same time illustrate
the fact that in the matter of climate dis
lance is an enchanting factor, and in or
der TO eliminate error the writer must
either have had personal experience or be
In possession of reliable data extending
over series of years Another important
consideration in this connection Is the fact
that climate alone will not make a sue
cessful health resort. The rtSoe must be
easy of access, have good accommodations
for visitors and invalids, good water and
good drainage. In addition to this, pleas
ant surroundings, with congenial friends
and some form Of amusement. sport anc
recreation are valuable adjuncts.
The question of mountain climate ant
high altitude resorts Is most largely en-
gaging at the present time the attention
of health seekers as well as writer's OF
climatology The stimulating effect Of
high altitude, with its lowered atmos-
pheric density, other things being equal
offers the greatest nducemcnt to the
greatest number of invalids. This Is espe.
cially true of those who have lived TO
long time near the seacoaet and at ele
vations approximatng the sea level.
The climate OF Texas is as varied as al
her other resources. due in large meas
nre to the great extent of territory. Fc
those who have not given the subje
much thought it may be mentioned thu
the State extends through eleven degree
of latitude and thirteen OF longitude. II
lowest parallel corresponds with the sout
coast of Florida, while Its northern bordt
is on a parallel with that Of Souther
, Virginia. Ii is not uncommon for Il
northern portion TO experience q ireezir
: temperature while the gulf coast Is sti
retaining its summed verdure. 1t will /
Q seen from this that the task of conslC
4 ering the climate OF Texas as a whole is a
/ impossible one, and in order to facilita
its proper study the United States sign
service has mace ave geographical div
sions. These are named the Eastern. gu
coast, Southwest. Northwest and Centr
: regions. The first includes the easte
> timbered portions OF tho State, limited
| a line running north from Houston throws
Palestine TO the Red river, The second
gulf district includes the gulf coast Z
100 miles inland. The third district, desii
mated as Southwest Texas, embraces
triangular section bounded by the 81
7. district on the south, by the Rio Grsnde
I far north as the Pecos on the west, then
G easterly 10 point sixty miles east OF 81
. Antonio, near Seguln. The fourth distf'
, or Northwest, embraces all that portion
~ Texas west Of line running from u
; mouth of the Pecos northward TO the II
. river at its junction with the Panhandl
Il The fifth district or Central Texas. includ
: the remaining central portion, of the stat
5 According to this division the Mort
/. western district Is made to include Z
q great plains, or LlRno Estacsdo, as WI
? as the Rocky mountain region west OF {
Pecos AS the river Pecos forms di
tinct boundary line between these L
entirely dissimilar regions. i has seem
If to me most rational to add sixth diyisie
= known as he TrauEpecos or Western al
trict. This boundary line Is by no mes
! imaginary, as the river Pecos with
q mammoth canon cutting through the Liza
II Estacado marks with great hXsctness I
ID eastern escarpment OF the only true mou
tains in Texas The section west or
Pecos is entirely mountainous, made up
the southern continuation OF the hoe
a mountain range which is DETECTED Iowa
the Gulf OF Mexico, after passing boutn
tho SD degree north latitude. and II !
II only region in Texas which Is not the arr
e continuation OF the physical features
"a some adjoining division. The Trsnspe,
region has a uuadrangular shape, bound