﻿132 ATMOSPHERE IN RELATION TO HUMAN LIFE AND HEALTH^ 



infection, but on constitutional or atmospheric conditions, could be bet- 

 ter accounted for, tlie possible causes being few. The immunity of 

 children living in several large and very well-managed institutions from 

 the ordinary diseases of children is instructive, and, on the other hand, 

 the frequent prevalence of ophthalmia in pauper schools indicates an 

 effect of bad ventilation upon crowded children of poor vitality. A 

 great sanitary authority demonstrated the enormous fall of mortality 

 following ventilation of crowded places, and another fall following reg- 

 ular daily head-to-foot ablution and insistence on clean clothing. 



A comparison of different atmospheric or climatic influences upon 

 similar branches of the same race, through long and short periods. 

 Thus the effect of moving northward to a colder region upon a branch 

 of a race still established in low northern latitudes, and the effect of 

 living at a greater altitude in several different parts of the world might 

 be traced, and the particular elements in climate which produce a change 

 in race characteristic might be to some extent ascertained. The effect 

 of the same climate upon a number of immigrants from different 

 climates; regard to be paid to direct atmospheric action on the consti- 

 tution and to indirect action through induced change of habits. 



An inquiry into the most suitable food for full health and mental 

 efficiency in various climates, and the relation generally of amount and 

 kind of food to climate. How far simple, unvarying food and temper- 

 ate and active habits and how far a bracing air contribute to the vigor 

 of mountain people. 



The effect of sea and mountain air on the majority of civilized people 

 and brain workers; the effect of pure country air on dwellers in large 

 towns; of habitually breathed fresh air on bodily and mental health; 

 and the possibility of greatly increasing the alertness and work power 

 of a nation by better provision for fresh air in schools, offices, factories, 

 workshops, and dwelling houses. The effect of good and bad air 

 respectively upon tendency to alcoholic intemperance. A comparison 

 of well ventilated with badly ventilated schools, and of schools before 

 and after good ventilation, both as regards specific maladies and as 

 regards mental brightness and i)rogress. 



The degeneration of the natives of temperate climates when settled 

 in tropical countries, and the grounds for a belief that gradual migra- 

 tion in the course of generations from cold to warm countries mry 

 enable them to continue and flourish. The relative capacity of families 

 from Great Britain, from Australia, from the I^orthern and from the 

 Southern States of America, and from the West Indies of enduring- 

 tropical climates, such as those of India and Central Africa. The 

 degree of toleration of hill climates in the tropics by Europeans, and 

 the endurance of families. 



How far the diseases of the bowels, liver, etc., which attack settlers 

 from cold climates in the tropics, and how far diseases of the lungs, 

 which attack settlers from the tropics in cold climates, are due to 



