The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-06-30
Nights Always Cool and Usu-
ally Pair Blankets
Necessary
TYPHOID is LEAST
PROBABLE ILLNESS
Water Supply Good and Air, Although
Hot in Sun, Is Rare and Dry and
Quick Evaporation of Moisture Pre-
vents Many Discomforts.

The following letter was addressed to
the New York Times and published yes
terday 1t should be read by everyone IN
tcrcstcd in the climatic conditions of Texas
and Mexico where many Vermont boys
are to be, probably, for some time. Incl
dcntaIly it suggests contributions to the
fund for goggles, subscription paper for
which is at the Brattleboro Drug Co.'S
store. The letter:
Despite the fact that the Mexican situa-
ton has been 50 long before us, with the
attendant possibility of the call for our
National Guard, it is surprising how little
accurate Knowledge there is of the nature
of the lite along the border.
| When one remembers that the border
/ is nearly equal in length to the distance
! from here to Chicago and return, the pos
sibiity of varied conditions is apparent;
| but on the high table land which is the
present arena of activity of which FL Paso
( is the centre, the climate is wonderful.
! have lived in it the year around. 1t Is
! true at this season of the year it Is hot:
Judged by our thermometer readings, it
would seem unbearabIe and unlivable, hut
the air is so rare and dry that one is not
conscious of it-eNcept in the sun-as the
moment shade of any kind is reached one
is always comfortable. In the years spent
there | never heard of case Of heat pros
tration. The nights are always cool
Darkness falls Immediately after the sun
goes down, and with it goes the heat. \
hot night is unknown, and usually pain
of blankets is necessary. And such sleep,
! Never in any part of this country have
Experienced anything that compares with
it or the thoroughly rested and eXhllarated
Feeling one wakens with not one morn
ing but every morning while from sheer
delight he breathes deeply to drink in deep
draughts of the pure fresh air. Particular
! ly is this the case the mornings of the
rainy season, which is usually from the
middle Of May to the first OF July The
rains generally fall at night, but even to
the soldier sleeping in the open the dis
comforts are tIansitory, for when the
storm has passed there are no disagreeable
/ conditions such as we have here in mire
and sand and oppressive humidity
| Natures greatest provision in this coun-
/ try is evaporation 1t is the keynote OF
bodily comfort. 1t Is this that prevents
the discomforts and annoyances of per.
spiration, for while the skin performs it,
natural function, evaporation is instant
and complete and the body is always dry
Though this minimizes the dangers o.
colds-which are extremely rare-this dry
ness sometimes causes the skin of the face
to crack. If so, a daily rubbing with vase
line is advised.
1t Is the same provision of our good old
/ Mother Nature Evaporation that makes
, it possible to have not only cool water but
perfectly chilled melons and fruits of all
kinds. All drinking water is kept in large
porous earthen jars called oyas, holding
from 10 to 20 gallons. These are filled each
day, then for intermediate household use
smaller quantities are placed in earthen
bottles which correspond to our carafe
This clay bottle is usually wrapped in a
towel which is kept wet, and the water
gets perfectly cold, in temperature resem-
bling that of a good spring. The same
method is applied to fruits, wrapping in
a wet towel After eating them cooled in
this manner one concludes that never be
fore have the perfection and dehciousness
of the article of food been appreciated
Now as to the erroneous idea concerning
sanitation: The gaunt fear of typhoid
that is stalking in the homes of those left
behind would disappear if | could reach
the ear of all thus worried. From my OBJ
lservation typhoid is the least probable
illness. First of all there are few, if any,
conditions favorable to the breeding Of
germs While on the border the Rio
Grande Will supply the drinking water,
which is good. This important river has
a sandy bed and is fed by tributaries from
a sandy soil, and it is a well-establshed
fact that water running through sand is
filtered and purified Refuse does not 60
= through the process of decay as we are ia
miliar with it up here. nor does it give off
any disagreeable odors. The dry, hot all
forms a coating and the sun and heated
sands bake it; then disintegraton takes
. place.
This action of the rare air Is most as
tonishing to strangers in its effects upon
meats. all kinds of which hang out in the
. open. Evaporation is so rapid that the
| surface moisture is absorbed as soon al