REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 347 



influence,' ' health-giving emanations,' and ' aromanized atmosphere ' must be regarded as empty 

 phrases, and meaningless as scientific explanations. The clinical evidence, however, of the 

 beneficial effects of pine forests on phthisical subjects is unquestionable. The changes attributed 

 to the persistent inhalation of air impregnated with the emanations of evergreen forests are such 

 as to indicate that the atmosphere is not only aseptic but antiseptic; made antiseptic 

 by some element which is not alone fatal to germ life, but at the same time is stimulant 

 and tonic to normal physiological processes within the lungs. We are led to the conclusion 

 that this antiseptic element of evergreen forests — an element which is not found elsewhere— is 

 the product of the atmospheric oxidization of turpentine. It is evident that the local and con- 

 stitutional effects of turpentine are those of a powerful germicide, as well as stimulant. Its 

 presence in the atmosphere of the pine forests cannot be questioned. Again, ozone is said to 

 be present in excess in the air of evergreen forests, and the beneficial effects of such air have 

 been ascribed to this substance alone. But it seems evident that there is a close relation 

 between an excess of ozone in the atmosphere and turpentine exhalation. 



"Recent developments in the treatment of phthisis by gaseous injections, if they are found 

 beneficial, are apparently due to the arrest of septic poisoning, and not to the destruction of the 

 tubercle bacilli. It is my belief that the atmosphere of evergreen forests acts in a similar man- 

 ner, and facts seem to prove that the antiseptic agent which so successfully arrests putrefactive 

 processes and septic poisoning, is the peroxide of hydrogen formed by the atmospheric exudation 

 of turpentine vapors. It is stated that wherever the pine, with its constant exhalation of turpen- 

 tine vapor and its never-failing foliage, can be distributed in proper proportion to the population, 

 the atmosphere can be kept not only aseptic but antiseptic by nature's own processes, independ- 

 ent of other influences than a certain amount of sunshine and moisture. It is not possible for 

 everyone to take his weak lungs to an aseptic air; but it is posssible to render the air of most 

 localities antiseptic. I would, therefore, impress on the public the importance of preserving our 

 evergreen forests, and of cultivating about our homes evergreen trees." 



The large number of consumptives in our State — reported at over 30,000 — has 

 caused a demand for a State sanitarium in which a part of these unfortunates may 

 receive treatment. All who have given the matter any thought are of the opinion 

 that this institution should be located at some place in the Adirondack forest, and the 

 Legislature, having authorized the erection of suitable buildings for this purpose, 

 enacted that they should be built there. 



In view of the sanitary benefits which may be derived from a stay in our northern 

 forests, and the recent action of the State in establishing by law a large sanitarium in 

 the Adirondacks for consumptives, attention is respectfully called to the timely and 

 interesting article on the Cottage Sanitarium at Saranac Lake, which will be found in 

 the pages of this Report. It was kindly contributed by that most eminent authority 

 on the subject, Dr. E. L. Trudeau, of Saranac Lake, N. Y. 



