130 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 63 



thought possible by cHmatologists generally. That is to say, a small 

 majority of the patients at Rutland, Mass., would probably do better 

 at Fort Bayard, New Mexico, and a large minority might do better 

 at Rutland. But no one can say positively, in any given case, what 

 would have been the outcome had he chosen differently. 



We need not discuss the bearing of what to do for the poor or 

 what to do for the rich, or the question of food, or the physician's 

 management ; these are important and may govern the choice, but 

 v/hat we want is an answer to the abstract question of the influence 

 of climate. 



We believe that climate may be utilised as an adjuvant of great 

 value for carrying out the hygienic, dietetic treatment of all forms 

 of tuberculosis and of many other diseases. There are some elements 

 of climate that have a more positive influence in hastening cure than 

 others. The first place must be assigned to an abundance of air, 

 which is as nearly as possible bacteriologically and chemically pure. 

 It goes without saying that city air is polluted by smoke and dust 

 and all dwellings, whether in the city or the country, are far below 

 the standard of purity desirable. Only on the sea or at the highest 

 elevations do we find air really pure, but we can approximate it by 

 living out of doors. There is a climate of the city, a suburban 

 climate, a climate of the country, woods, and plains, all differing 

 as regards purity of air. We are all probably agreed on this point. 



Next comes the subject of sunshine. We admit that good results 

 are obtained in cloudy regions as, for instance, in the Adirondacks 

 and at Rutland ; but there is at least no objection to sunshine, and I 

 believe that the moral effect of bright sunny days and plenty of them 

 is very great. Invalids always welcome the sun. We can protect 

 ourselves from too much sun if need be, and I, for one, believe that 

 sunlight does a vast amount of good and sunny regions are much to 

 be preferred, other things being equal. That is the great asset of 

 our western plains and mountains ; and it is a real asset that counts. 

 Of course there are exceptions. Tastes differ. Dr. Solly used to 

 relate the story of one of his countrymen who had been sojourning 

 in Colorado and finally returned to England. As he landed in a fog 

 and found himself home again, he exclaimed, " Thank God ! I am 

 out of that beastly sunshine." I do not suppose he intended to be 

 irrational or ungrateful for the greatest of all natural gifts. 



Now, what other climatic conditions besides pure air and abundant 

 sunshine have we to help us? Is a cool climate or a warm climate 

 the best ? Is a dry or humid climate to be preferred ? These quali- 



