STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 443 



Clear Lake, surrounded by mountains, lies in the heart of this region. 

 It is easily reached from San Francisco, either by Calistoga or Cloverdale. 

 Daily stages here connect with the various health resorts, the time occu- 

 pied in reaching the most remote not being over twelve hours from San 

 Francisco. 



The climate of the valley belt I cannot unreservedly praise. During the 

 summer the thermometer ranges high, in certain localities registering 110° 

 or over. This heat is better borne than would be that of a like intensity 

 in the East, because of the extreme dryness of the atmosphere. This, like 

 a sponge, absorbs moisture from the body with such rapidity as to cool the 

 surface. Probably this evaporation is so great as to dry the fluids in the 

 body, and certainly acts injuriously upon the mucous membranes of the 

 nose and bronchial tubes. Many cases of malaria, diphtheria, and other 

 endemic diseases, here rankly flourish; partly due to artificial irrigation, 

 but more especially found in those localities along the Sacramento and 

 San Joaquin Rivers which are annually overflowed. During the winter 

 months therapeutic benefit can be obtained even here, by reason of the 

 mildness of those localities far to the south, or where the Coast Range 

 breaks and allows the warmer coast climate to exert a moderating influ- 

 ence. 



Oroville, situated on the western slope of the Sierras, is now regarded as 

 the heart of the northern citrus region, and the country adjacent is being 

 fast settled by invalids who here combine a mild climate, with work not 

 unpleasant. 



The winter mildness of the Sacramento Valley is not altogether due to 

 the warmer coast wind. It lies at the foot and on the western slope of the 

 Sierra Nevada Mountains, which effectually protect it from the cold polar 

 trade wind. This is well illustrated by comparing the winter climates of 

 the western and eastern slopes. Truckee, on the eastern slope, is not 

 uncommonly buried in ten to twenty feet of snow, while Colfax and Auburn, 

 just across the divide, are surrounded with green fields, and a little further 

 down, fruit orchards and orange groves flourish. 



Therapeutics. — The difference between the subdivisions of the coast cli- 

 mate, viz.: that found directly along the coast and that of Southern Califor- 

 nia and inland valleys, is the difference between a plunge both in the ocean 

 and a tepid sitz bath which is so near the temperature of the body as to 

 produce a feeling of languor only; in other words, should the patient be so 

 feeble that the cold wind and salt air chill, and should the after effect be 

 such as to leave him depressed and unrevived, a residence on the seacoast 

 is not desirable; on the other hand, should the patient be more robust and 

 of a naturally vigorous constitution, the cold air, at first chilly and raw, 

 soon produces a state of well-being. Vigor and tone are infused through 

 the body, difficult for one who has never experienced it to understand. 



But there are certain diseases, no matter what the constitution of the 

 patient be, which are deleteriously affected by the coast climate. Those 

 suffering from rheumatism should especially avoid the coast and seek a 

 residence either in the mountains or at certain mineral springs. Shovel 

 Creek Springs, situated on the Klamath River, in the northern part of 

 Shasta Valley, has obtained a reputation for its efficacy in the cure of this 

 disease. Mud impregnated with hot mineral, waters is used topically, and 

 often succeeds in relieving those obstinate forms of chronic rheumatism 

 when ordinary remedies fail. Hot baths are also to be obtained, but are 

 not to be recommended unless competent medical advice has been sought 

 and the circulatory system found perfect. Other springs noted for their 

 efficacy in this disease are found in the lake country. Much benefit has 



