healthy organism, the marine climate is usually tonic tending to promote the processes of nutrition and assimilation, and is at the same time sedative in character. This is the most exhilerating of all climates, as it gives a small mortality from nearly all the most frequent diseases. The climate aggravates some diseases, but is generally prophylactic. It is unfavorable to those suffering with diseases of the kidneys, on account of the large amount of moisture constantly present, which throws the increased elimination of water and organic matter upon these organs. It, however, possesses advantages over the low, damp, cold climate on account of the less frequency of decided changes and abnormal departures in temperature. The conditions which prevail in this climate may be summed up as, in a great measure, preventive in its effects upon the diseases of the digestive organs, particularly when the trouble is with the stomach and bowels, but where the liver is involved its effects are unfavorable, and its tendency is to cause diseases of this type. Cutaneous diseases are excited by the large amount of moisture charged with irritating salts. Most cases of rheumatism are benefitted, except when of an inflammatory character. Pulmonary phthisis and other diseases of the respiratory system are not aggravated, and as a general rule the small temperature changes and other climatic conditions are favorable to their treatment. The antiseptic effects of the chlorine is a potent factor particularly in phthisis. The generalizations reached by Drs. Bowditch, Buchanan and others, to the effect that pulmonary phthisis is most frequent in low, damp localities, will not apply to this character of climate, for here we find a relatively small mortality from this disease, only about half what the average, as given by the best authorities, is for the world.* This climate is beneficial to those who are debilitated from overwork or long continued strain, apart from actual illness. The equable and bracing conditions are very favorable to young and growing children, and promote healthy and normal physiological devel *Flint, Practice of Medicine, Vol. VI, p. 195, gives the average deaths from this disease for the world one-seventh of all, while here it is one-fourteenth, opment. The equable and moderate warmth of this climate, combined with its sedative influences and its properties of stimulating tissue change and the riddance of morbid deposits, make it very favorable for the aged, and life is prolonged under such a climate far beyond the average. I have found in my investigations that the number of people who die at advanced ages in different climates is greatest in this character of climate. The conditions of this climate are such as give the greatest vigor of circulation, assimilation and excretion, which the aged so much need, and at the same time benefit the young. High, dry climates are those of considerable elevation, and on account of the elevation are comparatively cold, particularly at certain seasons. Prof. Dr. J. Hann has determined that onehalf of the aqueous vapor of the earth's atmosphere* is below an elevation of 6,000 feet, and eight-tenths is below an elevation of 10,000 feet. The per cent of saturation is small; constant evaporation takes place from the external surfaces of the body, and a large amount of the non-volatile salts, as well as organic matter in the system, are carried away through the skin. This leaves the amount of salts which may be deposited on the mucous lining of the lungs considerably reduced; and besides this, even with low temperature at high elevations, the internal evaporation caused by the increase in the temperature of the air inhaled is not great, because of the decreased capacity of the atmosphere for moisture in elevated regions, as already cited. The organs of the body at high elevations adapt themselves to the conditions which surround them, and the capacity of the air inhaled for moisture is the same for the same temperature in the lungs as externally. Very little evaporation takes place from the lining membrane of the lungs; consequently there is very little, if any deposit of the non-volatile salts in the lungsfirst, because of the excessive evaporation from external surfaces, and second, on account of the small internal evaporation. At high elevations there is at all times a large proportion of *Distribution of Aqueous Vapor of the Atmosphere with Increases of Altitude, Zeitschrift Oest. Met. Gessell, 1874, pp. 193-200, IX. sunshine with its purifying effects. The conduction of heat from the body through the agency of moisture is at a minimum even in the most extreme season. Decided changes in temperature are frequent, and the diurnal range is generally large, but these are not magnified by the conduction of heat from the body as in low, damp cold climates, and consequently the effects are at a minimum for the differences in temperature recorded. These climatic conditions present very few of the features which aid in the development of the diseases of the respiratory system, and is the most favorable climate for their treatment except in cases complicated with nervous troubles, which would receive the greatest benefits in a low, damp, warm climate of the extreme type. Diseases of the nervous system are aggravated by the decided changes in temperature which take place. Diseases of the kidneys are in a great measure prevented by this climate. Inflammatory rheumatism is generally improved. This climate is severe on old age on account of the sudden changes, and also the cold during the winter season, which depresses those in whom the circulation is feeble. This climate develops a quick and nervous disposition in the young. It is unfavorable in cardiac troubles on account of the sudden changes and large diurnal ranges in temperature. The climatic distribution of the foregoing diseases has been determined from the physical effects produced by certain climatic changes on the different organs and the relation which I have found that the diseases bear to certain weather conditions. In this connection I will state that the distribution of the most frequent diseases in their relation to climatic conditions given here, agrees with the distribution of deaths from these diseases given in the United States census reports. The following plate (Exhibit B) shows the pathological distribution of climate in the United States as determined from the meterological records of the United States weather bureau on the basis which I have adopted in the study of this subject. This chart shows the different classes of climate in a general manner only, hence it is probable that there are some localities included in one class of climate which properly belong to others, but on account of the small extent of such localities it is not considered best to attempt anything further than a general subdivision at present. It is believed that this chart will prove of value to a large class of physicians who desire to locate patients in certain classes of climate, but have not the time and opportunity to study out these questions for themselves. With the middle-aged, when the system is in a normal condition, the organs readily adapt themselves to climatic changes, but with the child and the aged, as well as those who are afflicted, changes of climate should receive careful consideration. Those who are subjected to the conditions of climate which tend to cause disease should use every precaution to counteract the effects by the use of medicines, selected clothing and diet, as well as avoiding unnecessary exposure which is witnessed every day. Texas presents each of the three conditions of climate in well defined types. The northeastern portion of the state has a low, damp, cold climate, but not so pronounced as that of a large territory to the east and northeast of Texas. The immediate coast region presents the most perfect class of the low, damp, warm climate; temperature changes and departures are slight, and rarely excessive and abnormal. The winds for ten months of the year are, except with occasional interruptions, from the Gulf of Mexico, and are from the same source for more than onethird of the time during the remaining two months of the year. There is a large amount of sunshine throughout this district, notwithstanding the heavy precipitation over the eastern portion. The elevated portion of west Texas is a good type of the high, dry climate, and is a medium of this character of climate, possessing the majority of its most favorable features. All Texas, except the extreme west, has for eight months in the year a south wind from the Gulf of Mexico, which carries coolness and comfort at the very season when coolness is most |