Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-06-17

Total rainfall, inches 1884
Number of cloudless days..........235.O
Number of fair days. $50
Number Of cloudy days............. 3l.O
1894.
Average temperature, degrees..... 4S.9
Maximum temperature, degrees. $50
Minimum temperature, degrees. 90
Average relative humidity, per ct. 41.O
Average velocity of wind, miles per
hour...... ............ ............ %
Total rainfall, inches.
Number Of cloudless days..........213.O
Number Of cloudy days............. 4S.O
The sunshine records of Las Cruces,
in the extreme southern part of the ter
ritory, at an altitude Of 5000 feet, and
at Las Vegas in the eastern part, at an
altitude of 5000 feet, are equally good.
In fact, the weather records at Santa
Fee are a general average for the whole
territory, and the health-seeker has a
wide range of choice as to locality.
The exceeding dryness of h atmos-
phere is accounted for by the contour
and position of the mountain ranges.
Evidence is abundant that the NOR
tality from pulmonary tuberculosis is
no greater at the present day than 1t
was hundreds of years ago. A recent
article was published in one of our lead
ing medical papers showing that in
Jewish history, years before the Chris
tan era, pulmonary tuberculosis was
as rampant as now. This would tend to
refute the idea that this disease is at
present on the increase, and at the same
time indicate that we possess no better
therapy for this affection now than did
the ancients.
The greatest number of deaths from
consumption occurs in workers exposed
to irritating substances IN the respired
air. In Switzerland, ten out of 100 stone
cutters die from pulmonary tu%berculo-
sis. In England, of 1000 deaths occur
ring in these workings, $40 were due to
this disease. 1t makes cruel onslaught
likewise in those individuals who ha-
bitually occupy a bent posture at their
occupations, and in those who live sed-
entary and intellectual lives. Of 1000
deaths in Italy among students and
seminarians, $50 died of consumption
IS per cent. In En~land, of a similar
number of deaths in printers, 4SO sue
cumbed to this disease.
On the other hand, statistics show
that it is quite exceptional for this dis
ease to be the cause Of death in those
who live in the open air. In Switzer-
land, of 1000 deaths occurring among
outdoor laborers and farmers, not
more than one or two die of pulmonary
tuberculosis. A similar number OF
deaths in Italy among shepherds n
farmers show only from forty-four to
| forty-ive deaths. In France the SAM
| tary statistics gathered from 662 towns
| show that the more the population Is
| conglomerated, so in proportion are the
| inhabitants gravely affected with this
| disease. The vital statistics OF New
| Mexico show the death rate from pull
l mOndTV luUtICulOSlo III kAS
I population, Mexican and Indian, to be
three in 1000, the lowest known. This,
of course, does not include patients who
come here from the states and from
abroad suffering from this disease. Dur
ing the past five years public attention
throughout the United States and Eu-
rope has been directed to this territory
as a natural sanitarium to a greater
extent than aver before. d.
The American Health Resort Associa.
ton has published a large number OF
reports on the subject, which are at
tracing invalids here from all parts Of
the world; and there is no doubt bu'
that in the near future physicians in.
formed upon Genealogical questions
will unanimously pronounce this regior
one Of the most valuable health resorts
In our land.
In order to derive all the possible ben
eft from such a climate as that OF New
Mexico, the health-seeker should live
out of doors. He should not only take
exercise in the open air, but he shoule
sleep out of doors. II he has the
strength to get about at all, the bes'
he can do is to go into the pine forests
and camp out. The nomadic life Of thu
tent dweller is the best possible treat
ment for incipient pulmonary tubercu'
losis. 1t is often a grave mistake To-
an invalid to seek change Of climate II
a place where he has no friends, M
occupation, nothing to distract his mint
from himself and his malady. In a few
DAYS he exhausts the possibilities Q
mere curious interest in unfamiliar sur
I roundings, and then he strolls apou
alone, or with chance acquaintance
until he becomes weary Of the town an
the monotony Of his existence. Home
sickness ensues, the mental diseas
more than counterbalances the climat
ic benefit, and the health-seeker, II
desperation, returns to his home, pre-
ferring the certainty of death anon
i friends to the possibility Of a prolonge