44 THE CENTRAL RIO GRANDE VALLEY 



New Mexico, even though all other sections of this territory are recog- 

 nized as far better than eastern and northern locations. 



Whether Providence in its wisdom selected this particular section, or 

 whether geological formations have been such as to cause it, the fact 

 remains that through the counties of Sandoval, Bernalillo and Valencia 

 in the center of the Rio Grande valley there exists a section of the country 

 which presents tlie minimum of rainfall and the maximum of sunshine as 

 compared with the entire United States. 



Sanitarians may speculate as they please as to why this occurs. Rec- 

 ords are the facts upon which opinions are based and when the records 

 and the results of residence coincide, there is formed a combination hard 

 to beat and one which cannot be controverted. 



No attention has been given in this article to the number of people 

 benefited, cured or relieved. This can be easily proven by United States 

 army records and by the general experience of competent physicians who 

 have not only traveled but lived in this section. 



In conclusion, the special benefit attached to the three counties that 

 contain the Central Rio Grande valley, is to be found in climatic condi- 

 tions, the maximum percentage of sunshine and minimum of rainfall, 

 proven by over forty years of observation. Here is a narrow area of 

 dryness and sunlight, forty miles long and not over five miles wide, of 

 which Albuquerque is the center, presenting absolutely ideal conditions 

 for the successful arresting of tuberculosis. It behooves us to utilize this 

 great natural sanitarium for the benefit of those afflicted with the 

 White Scourge. 



In addition to the large and thoroughly equipped sanitaria in Albu- 

 querque, comfortable accommodations for healthseekers are found in the 

 mountain resorts at Whitcomb Springs, Tijeras Canyon in the Sandia 



mountains and at the famous Jemez hot 

 HOT AND MINERAL springs in the Jemez mountains of Sandoval 

 oDDiivir'C county. These latter springs are, in medicinal 



ornlNbo and curative properties of the water, in loca- 



ls ^^LJ[^ RESORTS ^''-*'^ ^^^ magnificance of surrounding scenery, 



the most important in New Mexico. Even- 

 tually they will become as famous as are the most highly valued medicinal 

 springs of Europe. The springs are reached at present by stage from 

 Bernalillo. Roomy and well kept hotels have been constructed, together 

 with fairly well equipped bath houses and the springs are becoming more 

 popular each year with pleasure seekers and healthseekers. The springs 

 are in two groups, known as the Jemez and the Sulphurs, or the upper 

 and lower springs. The lower group of ten springs gives variations in 

 temperature of from 94 to 168 degrees Fahrenheit. The latter temperature 

 is the highest of the several groups of hot springs found in New Mexico. 

 The springs are at an average altitude of 6,620 feet. The water of the 

 largest and hottest spring flows about fifty gallons a minute with escap- 

 ing carbonic acid gas and depositing white carbonate of lime. One spring 



