AND AGRICULTURAL CAPABILITIES. 15 



At various times since 1844, I have navigated the larger streams of this State, vis- 

 ited the everglades and Lake Okeechobee, and almost every bay, inlet, and river, 

 from Cape Sable to the Suwannee River, and for over two months at a time slept in 

 an open boat, with nothing but a simple awning stretched over the boat's boom, and 

 in no instance did my companions or self suffer from malaria or a chill. Before I be- 

 came a resident of the State, my companions and self were unacclimated, and in no 

 instance were we so foolish as to swallow quinine, arsenic, or alcoholic liquors as an- 

 tidotes to malaria or chills. I speak trom personal observation, experience, and ex- 

 tended inquiry in various portions of the State, and I unhesitatingly assert that the 

 opinion entertained with regard to the prevalence of malaria during the cold mouths 

 in Florida is unfounded. When discussing the advantages of Florida as a climatic 

 resort, the eminent Dr. Forry predicted, "from a long residence in Florida, attached 

 to the United States Army, that when the period of the red man's departure shall 

 have passed, the cliniate of this land of flowers would acquire a celebrity as a winter 

 residence not inferior to that of Italy, Madeira, or Southern France." * 



"All know," remarks Dr. Brinton, p. 128, "how terribly arduous must be cam- 

 paigning among the everglades of Florida, yet the yearly mortality from disease of 

 the Regular Army there was only 26 per 1,000 men ; the average of the Army elsewhere 

 was 35 per 1,000, while in Texas it rose to 40, and on the Lower Mississippi to 45 per 

 1,0 0." If persons are suffering from malarial cachexia they may have chills at any 

 season in any climate. But a few weeks since I was requested to visit a young lady 

 visitor, whose home is Fifth Avenue, New York. The only time she had been dressed 

 for three months was the day she was driven to the Savannah steamer. Upon inquiry 

 I found that quinine, arsenic, and Warbeck's tincture had failed to cure her of chills. 

 She arrived in this city in the latter part of February, and at the end of two weeks 

 she departed for home, sans chills, sans malaria, sans debility. From my experience 

 in hospitals and private practice in and near New York, I have no hesitation in stating 

 that malarious diseases are more frequent there than in Florida. From my observa- 

 tions from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, I ain convinced that febrile diseases assume 

 a milder form, and are more easily cured in Florida than in States to the north of it. 

 I shall no doubt be met with the reply: "Look at the waxy complexions and gaunt 

 forms of many Floridians, met with at some of the landings and depots." I admit 

 the mild impeachment, and can attribute their cachectic condition to bad water, in- 

 sufficient clothing, unsuitable and uncomfortable habitations, and the improper food 

 they eat from childhood to the grave. In any other State but Florida they would 

 be the victims of enlarged spleens, cardiac dilatation, chronic gastritis, tuberculosis, 

 dropsical eti'u.sious, or albuminuria. But contrast the natives referred to with those 

 who have comfortable homes, sufficient clothing, and who drink pure water and use 

 good and nutritious food; or with Northern anil Western people who have been in the 

 State for years, and the latter will be found to be pictures of health. I admit that 

 in Florida, as everywhere else, there are insalubrious localities, but they should be 

 avoided by strangers. A majority of the cases of illness occurring among visitors in 

 this State are referable to indulgence at table, drinking impure water, the inhalation 

 of impure air, the American weakness of rushing hither and thirher, occupation of 

 1111 ventilated rooms, and a ridiculous system of senseless drugging as a consequence 

 of the advice given by physicians who are ignorant of the climate and its diseases. 



From my observations in the United States and in foreign lauds, and in hospital as 

 well as in private piactice, I have been forced to notice the iufrequency of chronic dis- 

 ease and broken health in Florida, In my visits to various portions of this State I 

 have met with many persons, old and young, who live from year to year on improper 

 food, and who drink water from shallow holes, near marshes, and yet, singular to say 

 (although such persons are somewhat an;eniic), they do not present any manifest dis- 

 eased condition. In cities, towns, villages, and rural districts, where residents are 

 supplied with proper food and drink pure water, a case of chronic disease or broken 



* Copelaud's Dictionary of Medicine, vol. 1, p. 417. 



