Transactions of the American Medical Association Volume 23 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872 Excerpt: ... certain atmospheric or climatic impressions. It is well known that certain races of mankind (it is even supposed some ot the lower order of the animal kingdom) appear to enjoy advantages over others in the operation or process of acclimation. Some are very susceptible to morbid impressions, whilst others show a surprising degree of insusceptibility or physical hardihood, in fact almost an entire immunity or exemption from disease. The unknown forces that apparently protect or favor races in certain parts of the world should be better understood. If such advantages are really so favorable, proven by statistical facts, we should in all cases, in the early settlement of new countries, select immigrants the best adapted for the peculiarities of climate. Material for climatic knowledge in America has ever been abundant, but not rapidly utilized, especially in that immense area, the western half of the continent. Only through military posts, an occasional medical report, through surveys, some casual tourist, or an amateur observer, have we even a smattering of the singular blendings of climate. Since the observations of Dr. Forey, brought down to 1831, all the valuable accumulated material has been chiefly embraced in a volume of great interest, published by Lorin Blodget in 1857. The great growth in population, the cultivation of soil, the explorations of that broad expanse of territory west of the Mississippi since that part of early record, showing so many interesting variations, are yet almost entirely wanting as material for statistics. Physical Climate.--The physical features of a State, the geographical relations of land and water, the general aspect or exposure, are important items in climatology. In the study of. climate the general inclinations of a wh...