The Garland globe. [volume] (Garland, Utah) 1906-191?, 1906-05-12
CLIMATIC INFLUENCE
CHANCE TO STUDY EFFECTS ON
INCOMING IMMIGRANTS.
Iubject of Vast Importance to the
Medical Profession - Dis
appearance of National
Types.


The medical Importance Of anthro-
pology is just beginning to be appre-
ciated, not only from the theoretical
side, but also practically in treat
ment, says American Medicine. 1t
is less than a generation ago that text
books implied or even taught that the
differences between the various races
OF men were meaningless freaks of ma
ture. The great awakening of biol
ogy--of itself recent affair-has
done much to popularize the law that
every characteristic has an offensive
or defensive use for which 1t was de-
veloped and is rarely useless and still
less rarely harmful. 1t is, therefore,
In order to apply the law to man and
find out what racial differences have
developed; why some are tall, others
short; some stocky, others frail; some
black, others blonde; some with kinky
hair, others with straight.
The solution of these problems can
not be expected in the near future, but
enough has been done to warrant the
assertion that some knowledge of
physical anthropology is an important
part Of a physicians education, for
1t is at least Of practical Importance.
To the Psychologist 1t is essential, for
1t throws a food of light upon the uses
OF tissues and organs which vary 50
greatly from race to race. 1t Is no
longer an academic study left to some
old man who has nothing better to
do.
II it is learned why certain char
acteristics has developed in a certain
environment, 1t is known that new
immigrants not possessed OF that
means OF defense must adopt substi-
tute or suffer in health. In recon-
mending changes of climate II might
| be possible to select that one which
Is appropriate for that patient. The
hygienic results would also be of vital
Importance. In every sense, the new
| study is so important that the time
| is not so distant when 1t will be not
| only a part of liberal education
| but an essential preliminary for the
study of medicine. The study of man
huo wv iohS DVth hC6lcCttu ny tue
| students of men.
The effects of the different American
climates upon European settlers are
a vast UNEMPLOYED field, which upor
investigation may yield knowledge o.
great Importance. Only here ant
there and at infrequent intervals hav,
there been any attempts to explain
the disappearance of certain American
families. Occasionally there is q stud.
OF small group OF emigrants an,
their children, but comparatively littl
is known of the ultimate result o
residence in this continent 1t mus
be remembered that over 80 per cent
and perhaps 60 per cent, of American
have lived here only two generations
and that there is scarcely time to tel
what is happening to them.
In similar migrations to climate
like those in the United States 1t 4
known that certain types always dis
appear. There is good evidence tina
identical phenomena are taking plac
here, though so slowly that they hav
been unnoticed. II 1t is true, 1t shoul,
be investigated and careful recor,
made OF the types of families whicl
fade and the diseases or condition
which were the ultimate causes O
their disappearance. The subject
one which deserves far more atten
ton than has been given to it. Lik
the study of anthropology, 50 lon
neglected, 1t might reveal facts O
practical importance to hygiene an
therapeutics.
The personal "reminiscences of fam
lily physicians have thus a practice
value, and such academic investiga
tons may mean the preservation @
families otherwise doomed to extinc
ton. We rarely or never realize tina
we are far south of the latitude 4
which our ancestors lived, and by we
known natural laws we are being In
jured in some way.