The Grit-advocate., 1906-05-11
CLIMATIC INFLUENCE
pHANCE TO STUDY EFFECTs ON
INCoHINo IMMIoRANTS.
Subject Of Vast Importance to the
Hedical Profession - Dis
appearance of National
Types.

The medical Importance Of anthro-
poiOgy Is just beginning to be appre-
ctated. not only from the theoretical
side. but also practically in treat
Haent. says American Medicine. 1t
is less than 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
lind out what racial differences have
developed; why some are tall, others
short; some stocky. others fraii; some
black, others blonde; some with kinky
hair, others with straight.
The solution of these problems can
not be expected in the near future, out
enough has been done to warrant the
assertion that some knowledge Of
physical anthropology is an important
part OF physicians education, for
it Is at least of practical Importance.
10 the physiologist 1t is essential, for
1t throws flood of light upon the uses
OF tissues and organs which vary so
greatly from race to race. 1t is no
longer an academic study left to some
old man who has nothing better to
do.
II 1t is learned why certain char
acteristics has developed in certain
environment, it is known that new
Immigrants not possessed of that
means of defense must adopt a substi-
tute OF suffer in health. In recon-
mending changes of climate it 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
10 not SO distant when it will be not
only part OF liberal education,
but an essential preliminary for the
study of medicine. The study of man
has too long been neglected by tho
students OF men.
The effects Of the different American
climates upon European settlers are
a vast unexplorsd field, which upon
Investigation may yield knowledge Of
great Importance. Only here and
there and at infrequent intervals have
there been any attempts to explain
the disappearance Of certain American
families. Occasionally there is a study
OF small group of emigrants and
their children. but comparatively little
is known of the ultimate result Of
residence in this continent. 1t must
be remembered that over so per cent.
and perhaps 60 per cent, of Americans
have lived here only two generations,
and that there Is scarcely time to tell
what is happening to them.
In similar migrations to climates
like those in the United States it is
known that certain types always dis
appear. There Is good evidence that
identical phenomena are taking place
here. though so slowly that they have
been unnoticed. II it is true, it should
be Investigated and careful record
made of the types of families which
fade and the diseases or conditions
which were the ultimate, causes OF
their disappearance. The subject is
one which deserves far more atten-
tton than has been given to it. Like
the study of anthropology, so long
neglected. 1t might reveal facts of
practical Importance to hygiene and
therapeutics.
The personal "reminiscences ~ fam
lily physicians have thus a practical
value, and such academic investiga-
lions may mean the preservation of
families otherwise doomed to extinc-
tion. We rarely or never realize that
we are far south OF the latitude in
which our ancestors lived. and by we'll
known natural laws we are being in
Jured in some way.