12 



FLORIDA : ITS CLIMATE, SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, 



'being that invalids are painfully sensible of variations in the hygromelric state of the 

 atmosphere, which are in no way indicated by the thermometer, so much relied on." 



The thermometric range in this city is not too high nor too low. As evidence of this, 

 we find tlie mean temperature for the five cold mouths, for five years, to be for Novem- 

 ber, 62. 1; December, 55. 8; January, 56. 2 ; February, 56. 9 ; March, 62. 7 ; mean 

 for five months, 58. 7. 



Dr. Lente, p. 17, when discussing temperature as a constituent of climate, and 

 referring to certain winter resorts north of Florida, remarks: "A mean winter tem- 

 perature of about 48 is too low to entice many of the feeble invalids out of doors, ex- 

 eept in calm and sunshiny weather. But in some of them this degree of cold is en- 

 hanced, as far as the sensations are concerned, by the winds which frequently prevail. 

 At such times, most invalids will, therefore, be found hovering over the comfortable 

 wood fires, and will be pretty sure to keep all the apertures of their chambers closed 

 at night, thus depriving themselves, during by far the greater part of the twenty-four 

 hours, of the principal means of cure. In Florida the sun shines so brightly, the air 

 is so balmy, the songs of the birds so enlivening, and the orange trees in their bloom, 

 or laden with their golden fruit, lend such a charm to the outlook from the windows, 

 that the most indolent or the most cold-blooded invalid feels little inclined to stay in- 

 doors." 



Prof. J. Hughes Bennett, of the University of Edinburgh, remarks: "And when, in 

 our own country, the question arises, Where shall we send the consumptive patient 

 iu order to avoid our changeable climate and cold winter winds in winter? we natur- 

 ally say : To a land where, during that portion of the year, the weather is warm and 

 equable. Much has been written on climate, but the one which appears to me best 

 is that which will enable the phthisical patient to pass a few hours every day in the 

 open air, without exposure to cold or the vicissitudes of temperature on the one hand, 

 or excessive heat on the other."* 



With the exception of the month of December, fogs are seldom seen, and when 

 they do occur they are not dense, and disappear as soon as the sun appears above the 

 horizon. Interested parties have intimated that the city of Jacksonville is a "rainy 

 locality," and, in consequence, an "unsuitable place for invalids." To correct this 

 error, we will furnish data applicable to a few winter resorts, from reliable sources : 



RA1XFALL IX INCHES AXD HUXDREDTHS. 



We have referred to sunshine as an important aid in the treatment of disease and 

 broken health, and as an evidence that Florida is favored with sunshine and fair 

 weather, and not "cloudy, foggy, and rainy weather," as interested parties have as- 



* Bennett's Practice of Medicine, pp. 326, 476. 



