SECRETARY'S REPORT. 1;J. 



freedom from pulmonary disease so common in most sections of New 

 England. From Fort Kent we have the following : 



" The region adjacent to Fort Kent is probably one of the healthiest within 

 the limits ot the United States, and though rigorous, the climate seems to be 

 productive of the most robust health. Fevers, and other diseases of a malarious 

 origin, are unknown; and other acute diseases are by no means of common 

 occurrence." 



This surgeon says of another who had hetter opportunities than 

 himself, that he not only never saw a case of consumption in the 

 country, but that some inmates of the garrison who had suspicious 

 symptoms when they came into it, recovered from them entirely. 



"The children in and near the garrison have generally enjoyed the best of 

 healthj and have been afflicted with none of those complaints so common in 

 warmer climates. It has been frequently made the subject of remark by the 

 mothers, how vast the difference in this respect between Fort Kent and their 

 former posts." 



Fort Kent is at the extreme northern part of the State, at the 

 junction of Fish river with the St. John, latitude forty-seven degrees 

 fifteen minutes north, longitude sixty-eight degrees thirty-eight 

 minutes west, in a direct line sixty miles from the St. Lawrence 

 and one hundred and eighty from the sea. The soil, a light loam, 

 which rests on a stratum of gravel and pebbles. On passing through 

 this is found a bed of tough blue clay, reposing on an argillaceous 

 slate rock. It is fifty miles or more north of the great bulk of 

 choice settling land in the county. 



From Fort Fairfield, which is on the south bank of the Aroostook 

 river, a few miles from its mouth, in latitude forty-six degrees forty- 

 six minutes north, longitude sixty-seven degrees forty-nine minutes 

 west, the resident surgeon reported : 



*' This post is uncommonly salubrious. The climate, though rigorous is 

 uniform for long periods, .and does not appear favorable to the development of 

 pulmonary consumption, or of other affections of the respiratory system. The 

 country is very little settled, but so far as my observation extends, no case of 

 consumption has occurred either in the permanent inhabitants or among the 

 numerous parties of lumbermen who pass the entire winter in the open air, 

 and are the most hardy and athletic of men." 



