Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1910-07-08
MONTANA FAVORED
IN MANY WAYS

Beside the effect Of climate in this
favored region upon the physical de-
velopment and mental state, it exerts
aprofOund beneficial influence against
many Of the more important diseases
which elsewhere materially shorten
the span of life of mankind, sap its
strength and interfere with human ef-
ficiency and happiness.
Chief among these diseases is tu-
berculosis. an affection which is the
greatest scourge of the human race
throughout the world, and which
causes approximately One-seventh of
all the deaths occurring from all
causes within the limits of the United
States. Outside the arid belt, the
germs of this disease are of such
general distribution and maintain
their virulence for so long time that
scarcely anyone can hope to escape
repeated infections, which can only
be thrown off through the possession
of general robust health and high
degree of resistance.
Although the germs of tuberculosis
are constantly being imported into
the arid area in the bodies of suffer-
ers of this disease, vet there seems to
be little tendency toward it's spread
to others within its borders. This is
explained by the fact that bacteria,
such rs the germs of tuberculosis, are
OF a vegetable nature and are largely
subject to definite natural laws which
types Of vegetation requiring a con-
siderable degree OF moisture for their
development. III the dry climate Of
the favored west, as clearly outlined
in the map Of rainfall for the United
States, exposed to brilliant sunlight
and desiccating winds, harmful germs
Of this sort quickly perish soon after
being eliminated from the body. Even
in houses. germs infection does not
seem to persist as it does further east,
probably through the fact that in the
genial climate of the west the doors
and windows are left open by prefer
ence for the admission of light and
air during very large part of the
year; while in the east houses are al
most Theoretically sealed up for
warmth and comfort during the long
period of cold, disagreeable weather.
and the power for harm Of these
germs is thus perpetuated and in
creased. Even the cattle ranging in
this high, dry plateau are largely free
from tuberculosis, which in the east
is one of the most serious problems
that the cattleraiser and dairyman
has to face. 1t is not too much to
say that this vastly greater freedom
from the curse Of tuberculosis alone
is sufficient to cause the development
of better, happier and longer-lived
race within the boundaries of the
arid area.
Water courses are usually cold,
rapid. filled with fish and otherwise
unfavorable to the growth of mosqui-
to larvae; and the favorite resorts of
mosquitoes elsewhere, such as the
standing water often found in marshes
| puddles, broken bottles, empty cans,
ETC., here undergo early disappear
ance through deficient rainfall and
the rapid evaporation of liquids in
the dry atmosphere. Hence we find
practically no cases of malaria origi-
mating in this tremendous western
area OF saluburitv, in size equal to
at least twO-tifths of the entire Unit
ed States, and even when the germs
are imported III the blood Of arrivals
from malarial districts they here
possess no power for harm, as they
are unable to gain entrance to healthy
individuals through lack Of suitable
mosquitoes as transmitting agent.
The local freedom from malaria is
of vast Importance from every stand.
point. Economically, and in relation
to industrial prosperity, it's presence
or absence is of very great influence
upon the community.
| DySentery, common cause Oh
suffering, death and inefiiciencv in
humid climates, is a relatively rart
disease in the arid West, since thu
causative germs require moisture fol
their growth and perpetuation.
Such diseases of the respirator,
tracts as diphtheria, grippe and bron
chitis seem to be less prevalent ant
virulent in the arid area, due to tn,
fact that to have plenty of fresh all
and to be largely out of doors be
comes privilege in the West as op
posed to the trial which it is in raw
damp climates. In the winter perio.
when the easterner shuts himself II,
in his house for his long annua