304 THE SEASONS CLIMATE AND HEALTH 



summer humidity of about 70 per cent, and a winter humidity 

 of about 80 per cent. It has about 60 per cent, of sunshine 

 in the summer and 40 per cent, in winter. Its wind velocities 

 range from moderate to high. It lies in the pathway of a 

 large majority of the storms which pass across the United 

 States and therefore is subject to sudden and severe changes of 

 weather. Its average rainfall is about 40 in. In this terri- 

 tory live about 40,000,000 people, nearly one-half of the 

 population of the United States. Here is found also more than 

 one-half of the wealth and influence of the nation. With the 

 exception of the Adirondacks, the White Mountains, northern 

 Maine, and the lake shores of northern Michigan, this region is 

 seldom frequented by the seekers after health. 



325. Second Region. This is the Gulf States Region, with 

 its comfortable winter temperature and high humidity and its 

 rather high percentage of sunshine. Portions of it are used as 

 a winter resort by those x vho do not wish to face the rigor of a 

 northern winter. The summer climate of the Gulf Region 

 is unpleasant. Its high average temperature, high humidity 

 and nearly 60 in. of rainfall are neither pleasant nor invigorat- 

 ing. Nevertheless, the higher altitudes of the mountainous 

 regions of western North Carolina and Virginia receive high 

 praise as health resorts. 



326. Third Region. This is the great semi-arid region of 

 the southwest, including western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, 

 southern Utah, Nevada, and southeastern California. High 

 temperatures, high evaporation, high percentage of sunshine, 

 low rainfall and low humidity characterize this region. For 

 many years this region has been highly recommended for 

 consumptives. Most of this region has the " throb and glow 

 of the tropics." 



327. Fourth Region. Southwestern California has a cli- 

 mate of perpetual warmth, much sunshine, soft humid air with 

 moderate rainfall. Dr. Woods Hutchinson says, "This 

 region escapes the bane of the tropics, steaming days and swel- 

 tering nights, by virtue of the snow-capped mountains on the 



