The preferable climate for phthisis, or, The comparative importance of different climatic attributes in the arrest of chronic pulmonary diseases / by Charles Denison.

  • Denison, Charles, 1845-1909.
Date:
[1887]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The preferable climate for phthisis, or, The comparative importance of different climatic attributes in the arrest of chronic pulmonary diseases / by Charles Denison. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    3/20
    THE PREFERABLE CLIMATE FOR PHTHISIS: OR THE COMPARATIVE IMPORTANCE OF DIFFERENT CLIMATIC ATTRIBUTES IN THE ARREST OF CHRONIC PULMONARY DISEASES. BY CHARLES DENISON, A. M. M. D., Of Denver, Colorado. With a proper elimination of negative conditions, the writer takes the affirmative side of the following divisions of the discussion. He illustrates his argument by the climatic or physical causes of “purity of atmosphere,” as well as by evidences of experience. The order in which the first five subjects are arranged is intended to indicate the relative importance of the attributes considered, the last five being added as confirmative of these main propositions. SYNOPSIS OF THE DISCUSSION. 1. Dryness as opposed to moisture. 2. Coolness or cold preferable to warmth or heat. 3. Rarefaction as opposed to sea-level pressure. 4. Sunshine as opposed to cloudiness. 5. Variability of temperature as opposed to equability. CONFIRMATORY PROPOSITIONS. 6. Marked diathermancy of the air to be preferred to the smoky atmosphere of cities or the dense air strata of moist currents. 7. Radiation and absorption of heat by rocks and sandy loams better than latent absorp- tion by water and damp clay soils. 8. Mountainous configuration of country (quick drainage) contrasted with the flatness, etc., of level sections. 9. Frequent electrical changes of atmosphere, also moderate winds (except in quite cold weather) preferable to continuous stillness of the air. 10. Inland altitudes contrasted with sea air (total absence of land influence); but in certain cases sea voyages and island resorts to be preferred as compromise substitutes for high altitudes. INTRODUCTION. The discussion of this most important question of “ Climatic Influence in Phthisis,” to be fair, must be general, with no unworthy prominence given to any one of its many elements. The subject is necessarily complex, and in order to reach right conclusions must be candidly considered, without reference to the convenience of the medical adviser or of the patient.