HEAI.THFULNESS. 147 



showers, there is a perceptible quantity of ozone in the atmos- 

 phere, sufficient at least to respond to the Shcenbein test papers, it 



must have some effect on health. That its effects are salutary, 

 especially in the destruction of malarial poisons, is the conyiction 

 of the best medical authorities. 



The bane of some otherwise favored localities in America, is 

 consumption. In Massachusetts, for instance, the vital statistics of 

 the United States show* this to be one of the commonest causes of 

 death. Now, whatever maybe the cause, Nebraska has a singular 

 immunity from this and kindred diseases. During a residence of 

 nearly fifteen years in the State I have not known of a single case 

 of consumption to be contracted in Nebraska. There may have 

 been such cases, but I have not been able to find any after diligent 

 inquiry, or even to hear of such.* Many indeed have died of this 

 disease in the State, but so far as I haye learned the particulars of 

 their cases, the}' all came into the State in an advanced stage of the 

 disease, and sometimes here succumbed to it, only because of a want 

 of proper care and remedies. On the other hand, hundreds come 

 here with the disease who are cured by the climate alone. I know, 

 for example, one young lady who was sent here from Philadelphia, 

 apparently far gone with consumption, and reduced almost to skin 

 and bone, and too weak to walk. She immediately commenced to 

 improve, and in a year weighed one hundred and forty pounds. I 

 admit that this was an extreme case and that she had the best atten- 

 tion and care, but it shows at least the possibilities in this direction 

 of this climate with such adjuncts. This same* lady was struck by 

 cupid, got married, and is now the mother of three healthy, rosy 

 children. Many more instances of a similar kind could be given. 



I have known a great number of asthmatic subjects to come here, 

 and soon all symptoms of the disease disappeared. Some years ago 

 a young lady, a relative of my family, came to visit us from Penn- 

 sylvania. She had not been able, from difficulty of breathing, to 

 lie down in her old home for six months before she came here. The 

 first night in Nebraska she was able to lie down and sleep comfortably 

 till morning. In a few months she seemed perfectly restored, which 

 proved to be permanent for years after her return home. It is also 

 curious that horses with the heaves lose all traces of this disease when 



♦Since writing; the above, I have learned from hr. Livingston of Plattemonth, an eminent 

 physician, that one case of consumption contracted in Nebraska came to ids professional 

 knowledge. This, however, is exceptional. 



