Public Parks. 79 



together with the rain, caused the fearful mortality of 1868, mostly in 

 the unchained wards of the city. The mortality by Convulsions may 

 be regarded as a sure index of the influence of climate on children. 

 The epidemic tendency of 1866 is also shown, with the influence of 

 extreme cold in increasing mortality, compared with the other years. 

 Marasmus was imperfectly reported in 1866. The mortality by 

 teething w^ill give a better idea of climatic influences, and the same 

 may be said with regard to Whooping Cough. The infantile 

 mortality during the intensely hot weather of July, August, and 

 September, was very great. 



It will also be seen that the aged suffered severely in 1866, but 

 the greater number of deaths reported in the first six months of 1867 

 as compared with the last, incline me to the opinion that the great 

 difference in the two years is owing partially to the naming of the 

 diseases, and the absence of any epidemic tendency in 1868, and 

 also the fact that the aged can protect themselves better from the 

 effect of cold than children. 



From the foregoing, it must not be inferred that the general 

 health of Chicago is bad, but, on the contrary, it compares favor- 

 ably with any large city in the country ; and I think it is not 

 presuming too much to say that the climate of Chicago may be 

 materially modified, and rendered more equable,* by the proper 

 location of parks, and the planting of trees,! thereby diminishing 

 the mortality of preventable diseases, and improving the general 

 health, t 



* The following facts illustrate the influence of equable temperature upon the mortality by pul- 

 monary diseases ; 1868, January, highest temperature 41, lowest 4, range 45, and mean temperature 

 20.3, deaths 145 ; 1S69, January, highest temperature 51, lowest 17, range 34, and mean temperature 

 34.3, deaths 104 ; 1S68, February, highest temperature 56, lowest -9, range 65, mean, 27.6, deaths 138 ; 

 1869, February, highest temperature 65, lowest 5, range 60, mean, 31.7, deaths 100. 



t The environs of Chicago are for the most part destitute of trees, and when we consider the 

 important part which they plav in the economy of nature, it will appear obvious to every one that tree- 

 planting would not only break the force of the wind, supply warmth in winter, and coolness in summer, 

 and thus moderate the 'extremes of temperature, but at the same time absorb to a considerable extent, 

 the noxious gases which are generated in every populous city,— supplying oxygen, and thus contributing 

 to the public health. Trees "should be planted in every street in the city, and on all the highways lead- 

 ing out of it, especially those running north and south ; and should they at any time become too thick, 

 they can easily be thinned out. What a blessing it would be, and at the same time what an ornament, 

 if the right of way to every railroad leading out of Chicago, was devoted to tree-culture ! In winter they 

 would serve as barriers against tlie drifting snows, diminish the amount of fuel necessary to propel the 

 trains, and in summer they would afford a grateful shade. So intimately are trees associated with man, 

 and so much do they contribute to his happiness and comfort, that their culture should everywhere be 

 encouraged. " Persons are sometimes prevented from planting trees, on account ot the slowness of their 

 growth. What a mistake this is ! It is a strange feeling to feel —a strange complaint to utter— that any 

 one thinff in this world, animate or inanimate, is of too slow growth, for the nearer to its perfection, the 

 nearer to its decay." ." Let each young man plant trees that he may have something ever near to bring 

 back pleasing recollections of his youth,— something, when he is an old man, that will seem ot his own 

 age, and sympathise with him, and look on him with a familiar face, that he may not feel quite alone 

 among anew generation. Let the old man plant trees, they will keep him alive m the minds of men, 

 the memory of one who lived not for himself" 



X The location of Lincoln Park is all that could be desired, serving to protect the city from the 

 north-east wind in spring. A park in the north-western part of the city is needed, extending from 

 Chicago Avenue north, as a protection from the bleak north-west winds in winter and spring : and, also. 



