Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The atmosphere in relation to human life and health. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.
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![iiiicrooiganit; infection iind the slow or (jiiick ])()isoniiig resulting; tliere- i'lotii, or sinii)ly to liot and (;oId air, respectively. The diseases resulting Iroiu (diill, both in hot and cold climates, and 11i(^ means of giiaiding against it. The eire(;t of climate, both direct and iiidircct, upon the tendency to nervous diseases and mental diseases, and upon the tend(Micy to suicide. The influence of climate, direct and indirect, upon nati(Hial (character. 'J'he effect on health of clear, dry, intensely cold calm weather, such as prevails in high latitudes and on high mountains, and the ellectof dry, hot climates as distinct from moist. Both hot and cold dry climates seem to be healthy and tolerable. Separation of the malarious disease effects of hot, moist climates from the mere effects of heat and moisture of the air. An investigation of the causes of the healthiness of cold, wet sum- mers in western Euroi)e, and of the means by which some of their beneficial results may be aititicially imitated. A comparison of the healthiness of the different seasons in the same and different porticms of the United States, and of the relation of zymotic and other diseases to the condition of the air, and to the tem- perature of the soil and of the ground air. The variety' of climate and extent of surface of North America, and the great system of the Signal Service make that country peculiarly adapted for such an inquiry. The reasons of the arrest of certain spreading diseases, such as yellow fever and dengue, by lower tem])erature. The climates and qualities of air most beneficial to persons suffering from nervous diseases, nervous irritability, and heart disease. Au attempt at a classification of climates most suitable, in most cases, for each kind of malady or ailment, separating as far as possible the ])urely climatic from the human factors, such as accommodation, food, etc. The elaboration of a complete medical climatology, applicable not only to ])ersons, robust or invalid, but to families and races, with regard to temporary or permanent settlement. An examination of the conditions under which, in the crowded quar- ters of large towns, population deteriorates, so as to become in a short time, if not recruited from the country, physically and mentally enfeebled, and in a few generations almost extinct. The part played by the continual breathing of bad air, and by the crippling produced by attacks of various maladies most rife in crowded places and bad air. Contrasted with country air, town air contains au excess of carbon dioxide, less oxygen, no ozone, many gaseous and solid impurities and vapors and an immensely greater number of motes of the tinest dust. The air is also heated by pavements, etc., so as to become less bracing. The parts played by these various factors in diminishing vigor might be to some degree allocated. The elfects, direct or indirect, of daily or constant breathing of viti ated air on the mental powers, the will, self control, and temperance.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21208724_0145.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
