two
WILLIAM A
AN.D
BEATRICE HAE&ADEN
V\SI\r-M
R!
^
o
TWO HEALTH -SEEKERS
IN
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
By
WILLIAM A. EDWARDS, M.D.
FELLOW OF THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS
OF PHILADELPHIA, ETC., ETC.
AND
BEATRICE HARRADEN
AUTHOR OF " SHIPS THAT PASS IN THE NIGHT," ETC.
PHILADELPHIA
J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
1897
COPYRIGHT, 1896,
BY
J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.
PRINTED BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY, PHILADELPHIA, U.S.A. ,
IT PLEASES ME TO DEDICATE THIS
LITTLE BOOK
TO MY LIFE-LONG FRIEND,
GEORGE E. DE SCHWEINITZ, M.D.,
IN MEMORY OF MANY DAYS THAT
WERE HAPPY AND SOME, PERHAPS AS PLEASANT
TO REMEMBER, THAT WERE SAD.
W. A. E.
SAN DIEGO, 1896.
404136
PREFACE
I HAVE long felt that an impartial ac-
count of Southern California, devoid of
the fulsome praise of guide-books and
land-office advertisements, would be of
interest and help to a large class of
health-seekers.
If invalids would bear in mind that no
climate is perfect, much disappointment
would be saved.
Again, if physicians would explain to
their patients the absolute necessity of
coming earlier in their disease, much
suffering could be avoided.
Finally, if the general traveller were
made to understand that he was coming
to the arid belt of America, with its scant
and uncertain rainfall, many complaints
of barrenness would cease.
Miss Harraden has kindly contributed
-5
</ f N; ; ; PREFACE "
{tiieifjrstj and fourth chapters of this little
book, in which she expresses her opin-
ions formed after a residence of nearly
two and a half years. The remaining
chapters are my conclusions after a resi-
dence of eight years. Neither of us as-
sumes responsibility for the statements
of the other.
W. A. E.
SAN DIEGO, September, 1896.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. (BEATRICE HARRA-
DEN) 9
CHAPTER II.
THE CLIMATOLOGY OF SOUTHERN CALIFOR-
NIA 37
CHAPTER III.
THE CLIMATOLOGY OF SOUTHERN CALIFOR-
NIA— (CONTINUED) 71
CHAPTER IV.
OUT-DOOR LIFE FOR WOMEN. (BEATRICE
HARRADEN) 90
CHAPTER V.
EXPENSES OF LIVING— CLASS OF HEALTH-
SEEKERS THAT SHOULD COME TO SOUTH-
ERN CALIFORNIA — CLOTHING — METHOD
AND TIME OF ARRIVAL — LIFE TO LEAD
—AMUSEMENTS, OCCUPATIONS, AND BUSI-
NESS OPPORTUNITIES 96
7
CONTENTS
CHAPTER VI.
PAGE
TUBERCULOSIS AND DISEASES OF THE RESPI-
RATORY SYSTEM . „ 113
CHAPTER VII.
THOSE BENEFITED BY THE CLIMATE ... 130
CHAPTER VIII.
THOSE NOT BENEFITED BY THE CLIMATE . 140
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
IN
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
CHAPTER I.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA has to be
known well before it can be loved, and
even when thoroughly appreciated for its
many delightful characteristics,' there
will often remain certain of its peculi-
arities which may perchance jar on the
sensitiveness of those accustomed to the
tender charms of a more caressing land.
On the other hand, the real beauties and
advantages of the country and climate
are so obvious that one need not hesitate
to draw attention to some features likely
9
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
to prove a little disappointing to any
new-comers who are looking for a land
of waving palm-trees and rich natural
luxuriance and generous growth of
green. Green there is, and of the bright-
est emerald the eye might wish to see ;
but it passes all too swiftly, burnt up by
the downpour of golden sunshine, and
gives place to every shade of delicate
brown and amber which one learns to
like well enough, only not as one loves
the blessed green. Palms are there also,
but not growing at random, as some of
us may have feverishly fancied ; man's
. hand must plant and tend them, and
water them unceasingly. As for the
rich luxuriance, it is there also, or rather
one should say that the possibility of
it is there under the dusty soil, waiting
only for our help and labor to give it a
development which for fulness and rapid-
ity is nothing less than miraculous. In-
deed, one of the greatest pleasures in
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Southern California is the power which
we all possess, if we only choose to use
it, of transforming the brush-grown plains
and hills into a fair and fruitful garden
land. It is almost like a fairy-story to see
what wonders may be wrought from the
very onset, and to mark how soon the
willing earth answers to an .honest care.
But she demands devoted and hard work,
— not the mere scratching of the ground
and the smoking of a cigarette ; and per-
haps it is not out of place here to insist
specially on the truth of this statement
for the benefit of those who have any
idea of coming to Southern California
and taking up the onerous duties of
ranch life. It is one thing to " have done
a little gardening at home" toying, no
doubt, with a spade and a rake and a
watering-can, and quite another thing to
start a fruit-farm, to follow a plough or
cultivator over virgin soil, and wield a
heavy hoe all day long, in the fierce heat
ii
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
and glare of the sun, and to evolve and
carry out some scheme of irrigation
which often of necessity entails endless
trouble and anxiety. These are not
light tasks, and should not, therefore, be
undertaken lightly; but a judicious ful-
filment of them assures success to a man
who has been wise enough to content
himself with a small ranch ; for it seems
to be established beyond any question
that small ranches conducted in a busi-
ness-like fashion have every chance of
yielding fair returns, whereas the larger
fruit-farms involve too much work and
too much money. Quite apart, however,
from pecuniary considerations, country
life in the South of California has a great
deal in it which is very delightful : the
riding and driving, the sense of unre-
strained freedom, the pleasure in the
wide-stretching plains and rolling foot-
hills, and distant ranges of mountains,
bare and uncompromising on a first in-
12
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
troduction, but taking on rare charms
of light and shadow and southern
glamour, when once the slight acquaint-
ance with them has ripened into friend-
ship. Then there are the excursions by
moonlight, the sleeping out of doors, the
fragrances in the air wafted from the
orange and lemon blossoms, and in the
spring-time from the myriads of wild
flowers which, when aided by the winter
rains, leap into luxuriance charged
with divers sweetnesses. But if the
rainy season has been a niggardly one,
then we must needs content ourselves
with a few poor stragglers who serve
just to remind us of the treasures of
gold and blue and red and yellow and
purple and white laid at our feet in
such profusion during a previous year.
Then we must dream of the fields of
the flaming eschscholtzia, the California
poppy, seen to perfection perhaps on
the foot-hills of the San Gabriel valley,
13
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
and covering the ground there and else-
where with a rich orange mantle; we
must dream too of the masses of brodiaea,
pale lavender in hue, toning in so softly
with the numberless yellow flowers : the
yellow violet with its peculiar Oriental
fragrance, the gentle little cream-cups,
paler than our beloved English primrose :
the marguerite of varying shade and
form: the handsome leptosyne with its
brown velvet centre and its strong vanilla
perfume, and scores of others springing
up to take the place of those which die
down all too quickly. We must pay due
tribute also to the rich indigo larkspur,
the lupins and vetches, the brown and
mauve lilies, the gilias, the red painter's
brush, the wild pea of brilliant pink,
the delicate shooting star with petals of
white tinged with purple, the tiny baby-
blue eyes, one of the nemophila family,
white flowers, as many as you like, and
some of them as wee as a pin's head,
14
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
and the pretty little blossoms of the
alfilaria, which together with the blos-
soms of the elderberry are the welcome
harbingers of spring. Later on in the
season and in different parts of the State
we shall find other treasures : the Mari-
posa lily, so called because of its like-
ness to a butterfly, and the Romneya, a
monster poppy of crinkled white satin,
and the thistle, a handsome and stately
fellow indeed, and countless others, some
of them known only to those of us who
are able to climb up steep places or dive
into deep canons; for one has to be
fairly strong to be a good botanist in
Southern California. It is not enough,
to have a penetrating eye ; one must be
able to bear fatigue and heat and glare,
and to have enough enthusiasm to fight
one's way through the dense chaparral,
and enough caution to be on one's
guard against those evil-looking fiends,
the rattlesnakes, which kill so easily, but
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
which themselves are so easily dis-
patched. If, however, owing to a dry
winter, we have been cheated of these
many lovely wild flowers, there at least
remain certain consolations which are
not likely to fail us: the sumac will,
in spite of drought, continue to put out
its tender shoots ; the chillicote with its
bright fresh leaf and delicate white
blossoms will spread itself elegantly
over anything within its reach; the
uncompromising cactus will eke out its
grim existence, offering us as a sort of
an apology its most exquisite flowers,
some yellow and some red. Various
kinds of sages are found in profusion,
especially in the more southern parts of
the State ; we shall find also the Spanish
dagger, or yucca, the manzanita, the
mountain mahogany, with its stubborn
roots, the very despair of those who
have the irksome task of clearing the
brush-grown ground; and higher up,
16
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
the scrub oaks, and the grease bush, and
lower down again the cucurbita or
gourd, commonly called mock-orange,
and the datura meteloides, a large pale
violet flower full of delicious fragrance.
In the valleys and canons near the river,
or what is called the river, — for we
should scarcely realise that it is such
until the winter rains swell the mountain
torrents and rush down with overwhelm-
ing force into the dried-up river-bed, — in
these valleys and canons we shall find
most comforting stretches of green even
during the hot summer : sycamores and
cottonwood trees, a few live oaks, abun-
dance of willows, grasses and reeds,
wild roses, and a perfect luxuriance of
the wild grape-vine, which drapes itself
artistically over trunks and branches
and climbs as high as it desires. Up in
the mountains, of course, we come into
a totally different country and scenery ;
live oaks and pines abound everywhere,
2 17
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
and we therefore may not give the
epithet of treeless and barren to this
portion of Southern California. Water
is found there without stint or measure,
and the climate bears little or no resem-
blance to that of the plains and foot-hills
below. Hence many people who miss
the procession of the seasons and feel
the need of a bracing change find their
way into the mountains during some
part of the year ; and if they are strong
enough to enjoy camp-life, or rich
enough to take servants with them to
see to all the details of the little estab-
lishment, then they will come back
greatly invigorated, especially if they
have had the pride and satisfaction of
laying low some harmless deer. But
camping for frail folk is a mistake ; and
doctors, far away from these scenes,
sitting comfortably in their arm-chairs,
with all their needs luxuriously attended
to, are apt to give out this order much
18
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
too thoughtlessly. They have not them-
selves tried it perhaps, except under
more favourable conditions than those
which some of their patients might be
able to command.
In speaking of the scenery in Southern
California, one must certainly not forget
to mention the enormous granite boul-
ders and lavish supply of stones, inter-
esting no doubt to the geologist, but
the despair of the fruit-grower and of
some lovers of beauty. Mrs. Collier
Graham, in her charming little volume
" Stones of the Foot-Hills," makes one
of her characters refer thus to the soil :
" He said the soil was good. An' I
'lowed it was, — what there was of it ; and
so was boulders good, for boulders —
the trouble was in the mixin'. Don't
talk to me about your decomposed
granite ; it's the granite what ain't de-
composed that bothers me !"
That exactly describes the feelings
19
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
of any rancher who happens to be the
unfortunate possessor of too many
boulders. And as features of the land-
scape they are only tolerable when, after
sunset, that beautiful rosy glow quite
peculiar to the South holds them in a
tender embrace ; then they are softened
and glorified if only for a passing mo-
ment; and those of us who come from
a land of purple heather may well be-
lieve that these barren stones have
suddenly burst out into blossom : just
for the passing moment, nature's com-
pensation. But the next day in the
full glare of the sun there is nothing
romantic or picturesque about them.
One may drive for miles in some parts,
and see nothing but stones and boulders
and dried-up brush and shabby-looking
cactus, and dust without beginning or
end. The dust in Southern California,
in summer-time after a dry winter is
really quite overwhelming; it not only
20
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
eats into one's clothes, but corrodes
one's temper as well, and gets into one's
nose and throat and chest. It rises up
into the buggy in great curling waves,
thickly powdering every one from top
to toe. Enthusiastic Californians pre-
tend not to notice it, but it exists all
the same, even although it is not men-
tioned in the guide-books! It seems
almost impossible to realise that beau-
tiful flowers of every different form and
hue are nestling beneath this ugly
covering. When one sees it at first, one
may well be forgiven for asking, " Can
any good come out of Nazareth ?" But
in spite of dust and boulders and burnt-
up brush and heat and glare, there are
many delightful things in Southern
California even during the hottest sum-
mer : then it is that the mountains look
at their very best towards the hour of ,
sunset and after the setting of the sun,
all the crudeness and harshness of their
21
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
features being tempered and softened
by the tender glow and glamour. Then
it is that we most enjoy the lovely
moonlight evenings, and then too we
know that we may reckon on the cool-
ness of the nights. So whilst in other
parts of America people are stricken
down by the summer heat of both day
and night, out here in Southern Cali-
fornia prostration from the heat is
rarely heard of, and certainly never on
the coast ; and moreover there is some-
thing in the climate which peculiarly
aids recuperation from any kind of ex-
haustion. It is quite possible that new-
comers from cooler and damper regions —
who have not had to contend with the
great extremes of cold and heat ex-
perienced in most parts of the United
States, — new-comers from England, in
fact, and other countries of Europe,
may find the dry heat extremely trying.
It is undoubtedly hard on the brain and
22
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
the nerves, and any invalids suffering
from the effects of overwork or from
weakness of the nervous system should
be strongly advised, if they come to
Southern California at all, to make their
home on the coast, or not too far inland,
so as to be within reach of the breeze
which throughout the summer sweeps
with unfailing freshness over from the
ocean. And speaking of the ocean re-
minds one that nothing one could dream
of could be more beautiful than the blue
waters of the Pacific with its most lovely
fringe of snow-white surf. It is almost
one's idea of purity and perfection. It
is a smiling, dancing sea with life and
light and love of sunshine ; and all the
exquisite tints of a Californian sunset
are caught by the glistening foam, which
then exchanges its wonderful whiteness
for all the fairy colours of mother of
pearl. To sit on the rocks and watch
this sea is a joy in itself; and for those
23
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
who like to pry and probe, there are the
fairy pools lined with every shade of
delicate and rich green and pink and
heliotrope, and inhabited by numberless
crabs, all of them in handsome attire
well suited to their most artistic homes.
Seals will sometimes sport around, bark-
ing loudly to each other ; goldfish flash
by, their burnished coats glistening in
the sunshine. Grave and stately peli-
cans fly overhead ; cormorants and sea-
gulls hasten to and fro, or linger on the
broad stretch of kelp to do their fish-
ing. These wide belts of kelp are quite
peculiar to the Pacific coast ; they seem
to be like great fields of golden-brown
strands of leaves and berries swaying
with the movements of the waves.
Even the large steamers do not attempt
to cut their way through them, so dense
is the growth anchored firmly to the
ocean-bed. But, leaning over the side
of the vessel, it is a great pleasure to
24
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
see such an expanse of rich colouring
toning in so harmoniously with the
beautiful blue of the ocean; and to
those of us who love to observe the
many charming expressions of Nature,
this scene will perhaps be one of the
pleasantest memories of the sea journey
from San Francisco down to the south.
Some people consider that this is the
most agreeable way of reaching the
southern part of the State ; and in-
deed if the weather is fine, as it usually
is, the voyage is nothing else but a
pleasure trip. Immediately after pass-
ing Point Conception, we realise that we
have come into a Southern clime; and
we almost seem to see a distinct line
of demarcation separating the northern
gloom from the southern glamour. Then
at once we begin to see the porpoises
playing about, and the flying-fish spring-
ing out of the water, and looking just
like rainbow gossamer as the sunlight
25
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
catches them. Then we begin to have
exaggerated hopes of the beauty of the
country awaiting us ; for all uncon-
sciously we are filled with a sensuous
delight in the genial warmth and glow
and tender colouring. As we approach
nearer, however, we at once miss the
green, and this is especially true of San
Diego, and all the more to be regretted
since there is no reason why every town
in the south should not be a living
mass of trees, nor why San Diego her-
self, with her wonderful harbour and
her beautiful natural situation, should
not become a very queen among cities.
In a land where peppers, eucalyptus,
acacias, magnolias, rubbers, palms, Nor-
folk Island pines, and camphors grow
up with breathless speed, there seems
little or no excuse for not taking every
opportunity of making ideal surround-
ings and conditions for a town the
climate of which both in summer and
26
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
winter is well-nigh perfect. A great
deal has of course been done for this
city and other cities too in Southern
California, and some of us, less patient
perhaps than is seemly, require to be
reminded frequently that the country is
only in its infancy ; but for all that, we
persist in saying that, considering the
easy possibilities, not half enough has
been attempted or carried through. But
every season makes a difference now;
people who love beauty and will have
it are finding their way to San Diego
and raising their standard there, and
before very long the rose-gardens of
pretty, sleepy Santa Barbara will find
some dangerous rivals. Before very
long, too, pride and public spirit will
surely conquer hindering circumstances,
and then we may look for cooling foun-
tains and green resting-places and
plenty of shade and a generous supply
of easy benches either for the invalids
27
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
or the indolent, and perhaps a beautiful
boulevard sweeping round the whole
extent of the bay and making a noble
drive such as few cities in the world
could command.
With regard to the choice of any
special part of Southern California for
permanent residence or lengthened stay,
the climates of the different counties are
so different themselves that the wisest
plan is to give a fair trial to several
of the neighbourhoods. Probably San
Diego County would be found to be the
most satisfactory for an all-the-year-
round home. The climate and beauti-
ful position of Coronado Island attract
visitors from all parts of the world.
The hotel looks right down on the
splendid rollers of the Pacific, and the
air from that pure summer sea is par-
ticularly soft and caressing. Los Ange-
les has all the advantages of being a go-
ahead, ambitious town within reach of
28
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
delightful scenery. Riverside is a town
of old established ranches, with plenty of
social life and out-door sport Pasadena
is a charming suburb of Los Angeles,
spreading along the San Gabriel valley
and having the stately Sierra Madre
range for its protecting deity. Santa
Barbara, very similar in situation to
Mentone, is especially attractive, greener
than most places in Southern California,
a very fairy-land of flowers, and with
foot-hills which in spring-time are cov-
ered with a scented mantle of the yellow
wild mustard. And certainly one must
not forget the Ojai valley, and the still
more beautiful Santa Paula valley, which
is apt to remind one of bits of England
and Wales.
So one can take one's choice and
move on until the right requirements
are found. Visitors and invalids with
ample means do not need any words of
warning ; it is easy enough for them to
29
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
change their plans. But people who are
coming from older countries to settle
in Southern California cannot be too
strongly urged to pause for a time be-
fore pitching their tents anywhere. The
conditions of life in the West are so
utterly different from those found in the
Old World that it is quite impossible to
realise what one is giving up, and
whether one is likely to get a sufficient
compensation in climate, circumstance,
and chances of success. These remarks
do not apply to the so-called labouring
classes of Europe or the Eastern States
of America: they lose nothing and
gain everything by coming out to a
new country. Southern California is a
paradise for them and means good
living, good wages, and good opportu-
nities of rising as high as they choose.
But for the gently nurtured and for
those who have been within reach of
artistic and intellectual satisfaction it is
30
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
altogether a different matter. These
wants will make themselves felt, how-
ever gallantly one may contend with
them, and there is a starvation of the
soul just as possible as the starvation of
the body. These are the people who
will probably suffer fefrom that sad ill-
ness, homesickness, and it is for them
that these words are especially written.
From all that one can gather about the
subject, it would seem to be a mistake
for middle-aged folk to uproot them-
selves from their old surroundings and
venture into these new pastures. It
goes much better if one comes when
one is young enough to leave no regrets
behind, and bringing only the brightest
and freshest of h6pes untarnished by
old memories.
There is no doubt whatsoever that it
is a mistake, if not a cruelty, to bring
delicate women out to ranch life, unless
there are ample means to pay the very
31
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
large sum asked and given for house-
hold help. It is absurd to talk of the
advantages of any climate from Dan to
Beersheba itself, if a woman is to be
weighed down by hard physical work,
such as house-cleaning and washing
and baking, for which she has not been
trained, and which hitherto has prob-
ably never come into her horizon. As
a woman herself, the writer of these
few pages may be pardoned for laying
particular stress on the dangers and suf-
ferings liable to arise through ignorance
of these important facts.
It is pleasant to turn away from som-
bre thoughts, and in conclusion to speak
of some of the more familiar animals and
birds and insects found in Southern Cali-
fornia. The humming-bird is one of our
most welcome friends in the country.
A quarrelsome little fellow with his own
kind, and very masterful, he is neverthe-
less easily tamed. Meadow-larks abound
32
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
everywhere, cheerfully singing, accord-
ing to reliable authority, the words
"Drink out of a bottle, bottle!" We
shall find blue-jays, orioles, finches and
butcher-birds, canaries, ground-owls, yel-
low-hammers, mocking-birds, robins,
doves, thrushes and woodpeckers, and
many kinds of sparrows, and a few wrens.
The most characteristic bird of Califor-
nia is the chaparral cock, or paisano, or
road-runner, which can be made into a
great pet, and is seldom shot at. The
turkey-buzzard, majestic in its flight, is
a well-known feature of the landscape.
Quail are plentiful both in the valleys
and on the hills, and are delicious food
if properly cooked. Ants of many va-
rieties hold possession of the land, and
may be seen busy at work all the day
long, out of the house and inside too,
unless one keeps a ruthless lookout.
The tarantula spider is an enormous
creature, and is said to give as poisonous
3 33
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
a bite as the rattlesnake. Centipedes
and scorpions are found, and of course
lizards. The pretty little horned toads
are quite harmless. The snakes are for
the most part harmless, except the rat-
tlesnakes, of which there are two kinds,
— a dark grey and black and a red.
They are not aggressive, and desire only
to be left alone. When once the ground
has been cleared they disappear, creep-
ing up to the hot rocky barren hill-tops,
their favorite dwelling places. But one
cannot be too cautious how one treads,
when one has left the main road; for
their colour harmonises both with the
sage-brush and the dry earth, and it is
quite easy to step on them unawares.
Still they are very easily killed; in
fact, the barefooted children running to
school kill them with a well-aimed stone
or a long stick or whip and think noth-
ing of the matter. Bounding all over
the country may be seen the jack-rabbit
34
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
and the cotton-tail ; and, alas ! there is
no mistaking the passage of the skunk.
Coyotes disturb the peace of the night,
and eat as many chickens as they can
capture. Wild-cats are found in some
of the canons, and now and again a
mountain lion descends from its solitary
heights and prowls round the barns.
Deer are found in the mountains, and
they are said to be very good eating.
Speaking of food reminds one of the fish
of the Pacific. They are abundant, cer-
tainly, and inspire one with the enthusi-
asm of Izaak Walton, but they are not
specially dainty or delicate. The barra-
cuda is the best; Spanish mackerel is
passable, and the yellow-tail is rather like
a solid beefsteak of coarse fibre. The
best one can say of them is that they are
not worthy to come out of such a beau-
tiful ocean. For time after time one's
thoughts return gratefully to the mem-
ory of the Pacific : its blueness, its fresh-
35
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
ness, and all its indescribable charm.
It may well stand for one's ideal of per-
fection in nature.
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
CHAPTER II.
THE CLIMATOLOGY OF SOUTHERN CALI-
FORNIA.
A GREAT deal that is misleading has
been written about the climate of South-
ern California. Its charms have been
exaggerated, and its drawbacks either
passed over in silence or painted in
glowing and attractive colours.
The simple truth about California of
the south is quite good enough.
It is a fact that here is to be found the
best yearly climate in the world. Other
localities have as good or perhaps a bet-
ter climate than ours at their best, but
certainly none of them have this happy
condition the year round as we do, on
the coast and at the higher altitudes.
A striking peculiarity, and one leading
to much confusion, is the great diversity
37
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
of climate of this country, and the differ-
ent climatic conditions found in even one
day's journey. This infinite variety em-
braces the perpetual coolness of the
coast, the hot dryness of the far inland, or
desert, the almost perpetual snows of the
higher mountains, and the conditions
(similar to the mountain regions of New
England) found at a lower elevation, —
that of four thousand five hundred or
five thousand feet. At the lower stations
the various climates all have the peculiar
charm of California's equability.
Within a few hours from any given
point one may obtain the climate to his
liking. This is invaluable to the invalid
or health-seeker wishing an immediate
change of air. It enables the residents
of the interior valleys too to find a lower
and more agreeable temperature in sum-
mer by visiting the sea-shore or by as-
cending some of the surrounding moun-
tains.
38
IN SOUTHERN CA'LIFO'RNIA
New-comers, however, are often be-
wildered by all this variety, and make
statements to far-away friends that add
chaos to confusion in the minds of East-
ern people. This is only natural in a
land where the mail-carrier, in his shirt-
sleeves, leaves the semi-tropical valley
of El Cajon, almost at sea-level, and in
a few hours arrives, wrapped in two
overcoats, at Julian, five thousand feet
above the sea. One traveller reports
California to be all sunshine and flowers,
another all fog and cold. Some com-
plain of the dry desert winds, with
their exciting electrical conditions, while
others dwell upon the excessive hu-
midity ; when the probable truth is that
the critic has not selected the proper en-
vironment, and has passed by what he
is seeking, which is, no doubt, within a
few short miles.
A correct understanding of a climate
so varied and with so many possibilities
39
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
for life and health cannot be obtained at
once. Quite a year's residence is re-
quired to know all its advantages and
disadvantages.
We do have cold days. We also
have those that are altogether too warm
for pleasure and comfort. But we almost
never have sufficient cold to injure or
kill the most delicate vegetation, nor, on
the other hand, is the heat ever pros-
trating or dangerous to the individual or
his animals.
We shall see later that this country
affords one the greatest latitude in the
selection of a home; it may be placed
upon the sea-coast in the dryest known
marine climate, or, somewhat removed
from the coast, in the valleys, which are
dryer and warmer; or, again, far in the
interior, on the desert of the Mojave or
the Colorado, where the temperature
is excessively high and the atmosphere
almost destitute of moisture.
40
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
There is little seasonal change in the
extreme southern part of the State. I
am accustomed to say to inquirers that
our winters resemble September and
October in the middle Atlantic coast
States, and that our summers are like
April and May in the same region. It
will be seen, then, that the dividing-line
between summer and winter is more ima-
ginary than real ; it exists in the calen-
dar and the change of vegetation more
than in the temperature. Some writer
has said that one should stay here the
year through and select from any of the
months the days that suit his idea of
winter; from the fact that the greatest
humidity is in the summer and the least
in the winter, he may wear an overcoat
in July in a temperature which, accord-
ing to the thermometer, would render it
unnecessary in January. For example,
the afternoon temperature at San Diego
in December, January, February, and
41
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
March was respectively 60.5°, 60.9°
57.7°, 62.4° F., and in July it was
63.4° F. ; the maximum temperature for
July was 79° and for January 74° F.
The greatest change in temperature
occurs at night, more marked in the in-
terior valleys than on the coast, and is
shown by the fact that in January Los
Angeles, which is inland, shows a regis-
ter of 46.5° F., and San Diego, which is
littoral, 47.5° at 7 P.M., while at 3 P.M.
the figures stand respectively, Los
Angeles 65.2° and San Diego 60.9° F.
In summer this difference is more
marked. Warner has observed the
thermometer reach 103° at an inland
station, while on the coast it was but
79° F. This thermometric registration
has a peculiarity which one must always
bear in mind : while a temperature of
85° or 90° F. in New York is almost
unendurable, it is far from oppressive
in Southern California. Many of us
42
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
consider the summer of littoral Califor-
nia as the pleasantest season of the year.
A glance at the thermometric tables
will show that in some years the months
of July, August, September, and Octo-
ber show a three o'clock temperature
with hardly an appreciable difference.
The greatest change is at midnight and
just before sunrise, hours at which most
people, particularly health-seekers, are
not exposed to alternations in tempera-
ture.
I wish to call particular attention to
the apparent difference between sun-
shine and shade, and mid-day and mid-
night. This change is more a subjective
sensation than a reality, and is true of
all semi-tropical locations. It is less
marked in California than in Italy, but it
always appeals strongly to the new-
comer, who is surprised at the immediate
sense of chill when he enters the shade
from the direct rays of the sun. It is on
43
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
this account that one who learns to know
this climate is rarely seen without a light
over-covering within, reach; there are
some, however, who will become so ac-
climated that this additional covering
will become superfluous, but these con-
stitute the small minority.
As night advances the temperature
decreases, and while this change may
not cause the mercury to fall many
degrees, still it is very noticeable to the
individual. This is less marked on the
coast in summer, and more so at all
seasons in the interior.
Further to show the remarkable equa-
bility of the coast climate, as illustrated
by San Diego, we present the following
table through the courtesy of M. Yale
Beach, Esq. It shows the maximum
and minimum temperature at San Diego
for twenty-two years, and is compiled
from the official record of the United
States Weather Bureau.
44
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
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IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
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47
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
The preceding table presents the aver-
age temperature for each hour of the
day of each month of the year, and the
greatest and least variation of tempera-
ture in any twenty-four hours. In ad-
dition, it presents the mean monthly
humidity. It was compiled from the
statistics of the United States Weather
Bureau by John Ginty, Esq.
Temperature records are very mislead-
ing, from the fact that two localities may
have the same mean temperature, either
annual or monthly, and yet be vastly
different in their thermal conditions.
This is well illustrated by W. F. R. Phil-
lips, M.D.,* who presents the following
example: Des Moines, Iowa, and Ta-
toosh Island, Washington, have the same
annual mean temperature, 49° R, but
the mean temperature of the hottest
month in the former place is 75° F., and
* Report of the Chief of the Weather Bureau,
1891-92, pp. 29-30.
48
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
that in the latter 56° F. The mean tem-
perature of the coldest month of Des
Moines is 18° F., and of Tatoosh Island
41° F. Again, the highest temperature
recorded at Des Moines is 104° F., and
at Tatoosh Island 78° F., and the lowest
temperature at the first 30° F. below
zero, and at the latter 7° F. above. This
makes a total range of 134° F. for the
one and 85° F. for the other.
It will thus be seen that, in order to
obtain a correct appreciation of the ther-
mal conditions of a given place, though
it may be on the same isotherm as one
with which we are very familiar, it is
necessary to consider their various phases
of atmospheric temperature.* To ac-
* Phillips (ibid.) considers the more important of
these phases to be, —
I. The mean daily temperature or the average de-
gree of heat received in twenty-four hours which,
meteorologically defined, is the arithmetical mean of
twenty-four-hourly observation. In practice this is
4 49
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
complish this we present a record of
the self-registering thermograph at the
obtained by using the mean of the highest and lowest
temperatures recorded by self-registering thermome-
ters.
2. The daily mean maximum temperature, or the
average of a series of the daily highest tempera-
tures recorded at any moment and during a given
period.
3. The daily mean minimum temperature, or the
average of a series of the daily lowest temperatures
recorded.
4. The average daily range of temperature, or the
difference between the mean maximum and mean
minimum temperatures.
5. The daily mean variability of the temperature,
or the average difference between the mean tempera-
tures of any two consecutive days.
6. The absolute maximum temperature, or greatest
degree of heat received at any moment during a
given period.
7. The absolute minimum temperature, or the
lowest degree of heat at any moment during a given
period.
The first five phases show the temperature proba-
bilities and the last two the temperature possibilities
50
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
United States Weather Bureau, San
Diego, California, showing the number
of hours that each degree of temperature
registered last year, compiled by John
Ginty, Esq.
The so-called rainy season in this sec-
tion usually begins in November, though
slight showers may have occurred in
October, and it lasts until about the mid-
dle of April. One must remember, how-
ever, that this rain period is not one of
continuous downpour, but is pleasantly
interspersed with bright, warm days and
dazzling sunshine, and also that the
heaviest rain is very apt to fall at night.
Here again we find it difficult to make a
hard and fast statement. The seasons,
even in this land of equable climatic con-
of a climate. All these points are well shown in the
tables which appear in the text. A careful study of
these tables will furnish one with all the variations
of temperature for the southern coast-strip of Cali-
fornia.
51
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IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
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Greatest variation in any one day, 31° F., on February 27 ;
least on January 14, variation being only 2° F. in the twenty-
four hours. Greatest variation during the entire year, 53° F.
Lowest temperature, 37° F., for one hour only, on January
27, at i P.M. ; highest, 90° F., for one hour only, September
15, at 4 P.M. Mean annual temperature, 60° F. Mean annual
humidity, 78 per cent. From 1872 to 1896, out of 7401 days
there were only a few hours in 247 days that the temperature
exceeded 80° F., and only 2 days in which it fell as low as
32° F. above zero. [Copyright 1895, by John Ginty.]
54
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
ditions, are liable to vary greatly in the
total rainfall and its distribution. In
some years it exceeds the quantity which
has been established as the maximum,
and in others is far below the average
minimum.
The following table shows the rainfall
for twenty-four years, recorded by self-
recording instruments in the United
States Weather Bureau.
During the winter months there are
few days on which one cannot be out of
doors at least a portion of the twenty-
four hours. The rains occur when the
winds are from the south, and discon-
tinue as soon as the prevailing western
winds arise, when the atmosphere at
once clears. Thus there is an entire
absence of the enervating steamy heat
of the Atlantic coast, and one can imme-
diately resume his out-door life. It is a
well-known fact that a thermometrical
heat which would be enervating in other
55
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
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57
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
localities is stimulating in Southern Cali-
fornia.
The coast fog, about which so much
has been written, is most frequent during
the months of April, May, and June.
The fog-bank usually rolls in about
nightfall, and disappears a few hours
before sunrise. About nine o'clock in
the morning the coast is entirely free
from fog. During these months there
are a few days, however, when the fog is
more persistent, and a fine mist lasts
until half-past twelve or one o'clock ; but
this happens only a half-dozen days out
of the year.
The sunshine record is accurately re-
corded by the United States government.
The following table was obtained from
their annual report for the year 1893,
the latest published, and is of great in-
terest and value in our present study.
It shows the main climatic conditions for
the greater portion of California, as well
58
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
as the principal sections of the United
States. The table is full of interesting
deductions, which can be made by the
reader. Placing the sunshine for twenty-
four hours at one hundred, the figures
in the table will give the part of one
hundred in which the sunshine has been
actually observed, the result being ex-
pressed as a percentage of sunshine.
The ingenious instruments used to make
this record are the photographic and
thermometric sunshine recorders, de-
scribed by Professor Marvin.* The best
J
results are obtained from the western
stations, where the proportion of sun-
shine is greater and the atmosphere
dryer.
This report shows that at San Diego
there was sixty-eight per cent, of the
possible sunshine during 1893; that
* Report of the Chief of the Weather Bureau for
1891-92.
59
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
August had seventy-six per cent, of pos-
sible sunshine ; April and October, sev-
enty-five per cent. ; July, seventy-three
Place.
g
P4
oT
.5
w
No. days clear or
partly cloudy.
!
I
T3
i
80
60
I9
61
49
44
151
125
126
in
112
143
39
131
39
137
H
)
no
136
180
9i
91
£
49
103
§
1
!&
£
Tempera-
ture.
I1
N
I*
s
60
*65
*6o
*66
68
*65
*4o
53
%
47
42
67
48
74
45
59
g
52
*47
49
lo
63
74
53
77
52
235
3°5
286
304
316
321
214
240
239
254
253
222
326
234
326
228
288
282
282
289
255
229
l8S
274
274
334
285
316
262
17.91
24.36
16.59
9.40
10.29
21.96
53-71
41.84
38.64
27.47
44.00
33.88
8.48
34.18
IO.I2
29.87
35-43
32.12
44-45
48.02
53-01
37-65
39-03
39-33
17-35
14.94
61.58
13.12
36-71
60. i
71.7
69.6
74.2
63.2
72.8
56.0
55-3
52.8
52.9
62.1
55-4
69-3
54-5
68.3
47-8
75-1
62.5
70.6
76.8
58.4
60.7
57-1
63.8
75*5
81.9
62.8
48.5
49-5
48.1
47-9
53-0
50.2
45-2
34?:I
39-2
45-3
40.7
37-9
39-2
41.0
34-2
65.4
43-2
52.0
61.9
44-2
45-2
43-1
46.7
40.4
38.7
57-9
50.4
44-7
Red Bluff
Eureka
Buffalo
Cleveland
Denver
Dodge City
Kansas City . . . . ,
New York City ....
Philadelphia
Portland, Ore
St. Louis
Salt Lake City
Santa Fe
Savannah
Washington City ....
* Approximated.
60
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
per cent; November, seventy-one per
cent. ; February, seventy per cent. ; Sep-
tember, sixty-nine per cent; January,
May, and December, sixty-six per cent. ;
June, sixty-one per cent; and March,
fifty-six per cent; — or, that the least
amount of sunshine in any month is in
March, when fifty-six per cent, of the
possible prevails. The least amount of
sunshine here is greater than the annual
average amount prevailing all over that
portion of the United States east of the
Mississippi River and north of a line
drawn on the latitude of Omaha. On
an average throughout the year, eighty
per cent or more of the possible sun-
shine prevails at San Diego from eleven
A.M. to five P.M.
The summers of Southern California
seem to be little understood. So much
has been written about the winters and
so little about the other periods of the
year that the general impression is that
61
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
Southern California is simply a winter
station. This false conception of the
true conditions does not have much op-
portunity for correction, because the
great mass of travel, both invalid and
tourist, usually occurs in winter. Few
except the permanent residents know of
the beauties of a Californian sea-coast
summer.
The days are characterized by a con-
stant sea-breeze which blows with as-
tonishing regularity; it is rarely too
warm for comfort, like the days at Cape
May, Atlantic City, Long Branch, or
other popular Atlantic coast resorts.*
* The following table shows the winter and sum-
mer variations of the ocean's temperature upon the
Atlantic coast as compared with the Pacific : Lind-
ley and Widney. *
January. July.
New York 33-3° 72*4°
Savannah 49-9° 84.5°
San Francisco 52.1° 59-O°
Long Beach 60.0° 68.5°
62
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The nights are always delightfully cool.
The mid-day temperature varies from
65° to 85° R, rarely the latter, and
usually from 74° to 78° F. Those of
us who live on the coast consider this
the most delightful season of the year.
But as it is the period of absence of
rainfall, there is a consequent dryness
and barrenness of vegetation, and it is
now that the hills assume their rusty
dusty brown. As far as vegetation is
concerned, it is the analogue of the
Eastern winter.
The interior valleys, however, present
a very different state of affairs. Here
the summer temperature is not un-
usually 95° to 100° F., and sometimes
reaches 105° F. ; but this, again, is not
the same 105° F. as that on the At-
lantic coast. Owing to the slight hu-
midity one's sensations are very differ-
ent indeed. The striking dryness of
these regions is most remarkable, and
63
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
extends even to the coast, which has
undoubtedly, as I have before men-
tioned, the dryest marine climate of
which we have any knowledge.
Several times during the summer the
so-called desert spells occur. This is
when the land-breeze or wind from the
desert, many miles in the interior, gains
ascendency over the prevailing western
or ocean breeze. During this time the
thermometer is apt to show a very high
registration. Under these conditions
I have seen it at San Diego register
98° R, for only a few hours, however,
and in the interior reach no0 or 112°
F. The "desert wind" lasts usually
only two or three days, but is ex-
tremely disagreeable and exciting, owing
to its absolute dryness and peculiar
electrical condition. The nights during
this unusual rise in temperature are
always cool and pleasant; one never
experiences the sleepless, tossing nights
64
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
of the humid East.* These are the
only evenings upon which one may sit
out of doors with entire comfort and
without sensation of chill ; this evening
chill is one of the peculiarities of our
climate, and is somewhat disappointing
to the new-comer.
The peninsula of Coronado has a
true marine climate. It is a narrow
strip of land twelve miles long, and
varying in width from a few yards to
two miles, and gives San Diego its
magnificent land-locked" harbour. Its
climate is very similar to that of San
* It is not within the province of this little book
to inquire into the laws which govern climatic con-
ditions, or to offer the explanation of the Kuro Siwo
current or the in-shore trade or counter-trade winds
that give California its peculiar climate, but rather
to state the conditions as they exist, leaving the
reader to the more pretentious works on climates and
medical climatology for fuller information on these
subjects.
5 65
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
I
&
Baltimore.
•3*
§6
•<
Coronado.
41
r
July I
78
73
60
72
77
73
68
75
77
Ro
74
70
70
July 4 ....
71
76
77
6-r
>jf
July c
78
68
67
g
74
83
71
68
85
8q
86
76
68
84
Tuly 8 . .
51
83
77
67
78
uly Q .
78
67
75
yc
RR
4
7^
68
60
75
66
uly 12
78
7§
65
^6
72
82
72
66
Ro
71
76
73
71
82
60
74
77
75
8^1
uly ID . .
65
82
73
7*
£
66
9°
74
69
81
uly 18
82
92
77
72
82
uly 19.......
82
85
B|
75
7O
80
93
75
65
75
uly 21
82
95
7R
66
74
uly 22 , .
83
88
81
67
77
uly 23
8?
86
88
66
7R
uly 24 . ...
82
78
84
69
8^
81
83
75
7°
8^
80
R?
75
71
70
July 27
79
«7
77
71
7R
July 28
77
78
76
70
80
82
79
71
78
July 30 ........
79
81
75
70
80
July 7i
72
74
74
*7
81
77
81
76
68
78
August i . . .
71
75
72
73
8^
73
75
7°
«3
79
78
71
79
Augus 4
8?
7R
68
85
Augfus "?
86
87
7^
70
84
89
86
76
72
83
Augus 7
Ro
80
76
°T
Augus 8
84
91
^6
70
7O
Augus 9
84
QA
RT
70
Rn
Augus 10
86
96
70
6q
78
79
Qtf
Rl
69
76
August 12
73
QI
«1
70
78
August 13
73
?n
80
60
g
August 14
79
ft
8q
74
Ro
R?
R7
H5
7i
88
80
87
81
66
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Diego, said to be a little cooler in summer
and perhaps a degree or so warmer in
winter. Lindley has presented the pre-
ceding table in the Journal of the Ameri-
can Medical Association, March 21, 1896,
which shows the comparative maximum
temperature during July and the first
fifteen days of August, 1895, in Boston,
Baltimore, and Atlantic City upon the
Atlantic coast, and in Coronado and Los
Angeles upon the Pacific coast.
67
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
CHAPTER III.
THE CLIMATOLOGY OF SOUTHERN CALI-
FORNIA. (CONTINUED.)
HAVING considered the climatic pe-
culiarities of littoral California at some
length, taking San Diego as a type, we
shall now turn our attention to the
interior.
The Sierra range of mountains marks
the dividing line. But the coast range
of this vast mountain-chain begins grad-
ually to disappear in Southern Califor-
nia, so that, in certain localities, the
interior is more open to the sea. Wid-
ney so well describes this topography
that I shall quote from him at length.
" This interior plain in Southern California is
made up of the long reach which includes the San
Fernando valley, the Pasadena country, the valley
of the San Gabriel River, the Whittier foot-hills,
68
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
the Pomona and Ontario uplands, the valley of the
Santa Ana River, in which lie Colton, the San
Bernardino country, and Riverside, and the long
plains of the San Jacinto River southward. Unlike
the inland plain of Northern California, it is very
irregular in outline, branching out in many direc-
tions, and often merging almost insensibly into
rolling upland mesas. This plain, with its irregular
windings, is about two hundred miles in length,
with a width varying from fifteen to thirty miles.
It is smaller than the corresponding interior valley
of Northern California, but the reverse is the case
with regard to the coast plain. Instead of the
narrow rim which makes the ocean frontage outside
of the coast range in the northern portion of the
State, in Southern California, an extensive plain
faces the sea, having a length of about one hundred
and fifty miles, and a depth varying from fifteen to
twenty-five miles. This does not include the long
valley of the Santa Clara and San Buenaventura
Rivers, which fronts on the ocean for some thirty
miles, with a depth of about seventy-five, nor the
Santa Barbara plain. Between this coast plain and
the long interior valley, the coast range of moun-
tains, instead of the continuous chain which it pre-
sents in Northern California, is broken and opposite
the Los Angeles plains for a space entirely disap-
pears. The whole country, interior valley system as
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
well as coast plains, becomes thus a great open
coast land facing the south, and with the high
Sierra for a background.
" The area of the plains of Southern California is
really largely increased over their apparent size by
the rolling, hilly uplands into which, in many direc-
tions, they merge. This is especially the case in a
country which lies between the San Fernando val-
ley and the lower Santa Clara valley, and also in the
great upland which rises from San Jacinto towards
the south in San Diego County. The Sierra, which,
north of the so-called Mojave Desert, makes a great
curve westward round the south end of the San
Joaquin plain of the central belt, turns southward
again opposite Santa Barbara and Ventura Coun-
ties, and, doubling back upon its course, walls in the
west end of the desert, then, turning directly east-
ward, separates the desert from the Los Angeles and
San Bernardo plains. Turning southward again, it
stands as a wall between the Colorado Desert and
that portion of Southern California lying west of
its base. The range varies in height from five
thousand to seven thousand feet, with peaks reach-
ing from eight thousand to eleven thousand feet.
While maintaining this great elevation it yet de-
velops one feature which it does not possess opposite
the central belt. It breaks down at several points
into low passes between the coast and the interior of
70
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
the continent. The pass by which the Central Pacific
Railroad, on its way eastward from San Francisco,
crosses the Sierra, is seven thousand and seventeen
feet in elevation. Yet the Soledad Pass, by which the
Southern Pacific Railroad crosses the Sierra in South-
ern California, is only two thousand eight hundred
and twenty-two feet ; the Cajon Pass, by which the
Atchison and Topeka Railroad enters, is about the
same height ; and the San Gorgonio Pass, by which
the Southern Pacific crosses on the road to Galveston
and New Orleans, is only two thousand five hundred
and sixty feet above the sea. There are numerous
other comparatively low passes through the Sierra at
the west end of the Mojave Desert, leading towards
the sea in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, and
also through the range south of San Gorgonio.
These passes through the Southern Sierra have a
marked influence not only upon the climate of the
coast portions of Southern California but also upon
that of the deserts lying at the east base of the Sierra.
" The Mojave Desert lying beyond those passes
which open northward has an area of several
thousand square miles with an elevation above the
sea of some two thousand feet. The Colorado
Desert, which lies opposite the passes leading east-
ward, is somewhat less in area, and has a portion of
its surface three hundred and fifty feet below the
level of the sea."
71
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
Los Angeles may be taken as a typi-
cal inland city of Southern California.
It is the metropolis of all this southern
country, and is situated about midway
between the sea and the mountains,
twenty miles from the former, and four-
teen from the latter, and about equidis-
tant from San Diego and Santa Barbara.
It has grown into a beautiful town, and,
in so far as it has reached the size and
condition of a large city, has grown away
from its suitability as a health-resort for
a large class of invalids. Nevertheless,
as far as I know, it has the best climate
of any city of its size. Its winter tem-
perature shows an average of 52° F.
and its summer temperature is in the
seventies and eighties. The mean
yearly maximum temperature, compiled
for a number of years, is 87.3° F., the
mean yearly minimum is 43.4° F. The
average number of clear days is one
hundred and seventy-six, fair days one
72
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
hundred and forty, cloudy days forty-
nine, making three hundred and sixteen
days during the year in which a person
could be out of doors. The average
number of rainy days is forty-two.
During the night and morning the
winds are generally land breezes, turning
in the early afternoon to fresh westerly
sea breezes ; there are high winds during
the winter, and blustering storms during
the rainy season. During the dry
season there is an occasional " norther/'
or hot wind, due to a very high atmos-
pheric pressure in Northern California
with a relatively low one in the Southern
Californian regions. Fogs are more
frequent during the change of seasons,
when cooler, moist air comes in from
the Pacific Ocean. The soil is generally
dry and porous, though some few local-
ities are adobe, or damp and sticky, but
the dry soil predominates.
The advantages of this region as a
73
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
health-resort are, its dry soil, mild tem-
perature, comparatively low humidity,
the number of days when one can be
out of doors, and the fact that the alti-
tude and climate can be varied by a
few hours* journey.*
Los Angeles is surrounded by a most
attractive country, well cultivated, and
far in advance of the rest of Southern
California. Here are many very good
invalid stations, as Pasadena, Sierra
Madre, Whittier, San Gabriel, and
others; their climate is similar to that
of Los Angeles itself. The temperature
is less equable than in the sea-coast
towns, but it is perfectly acceptable to
the average invalid. All the surround-
ing country has about the same climatic
conditions, and varies in elevation from
three hundred and fifty to five hundred
* Report of Committee on Health-Resorts, Amer-
ican Climatological Association, vol. xi., 1895.
74
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
feet, with an average rainfall of about
sixteen inches, having about fifty rainy
days, a humidity of sixty-seven per cent,
and a mean temperature varying, as we
have seen, from 50° to 80° F. ; but it must
be remembered that all these interior
stations show a very high thermometric
registration during the summer. The
same degree of sunshine is found in the
interior as we have recorded upon the
coast. Far in the interior the fogs are
somewhat less, but for twenty miles and
more from the coast they are quite as
prevalent and dense as on the coast
itself. One escapes them only by re-
treating far into the interior to the
higher altitudes. There we arrive at a
condition that is very similar to the
mountainous region of the far Eastern
States, and also nearly resembles the
well-known stations in the Swiss Alps,
such as Andermatt, four thousand three
hundred and seventy-eight feet, Weisen,
75
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
four thousand seven hundred and sev-
enty-one feet, Davos, five thousand one
hundred and five feet, and Malloja, six
thousand feet. At this altitude we do not
find so many of California's peculiar and
distinctive charms.
January .
February
March
April .
May .
June .
July .
August
September
October . .
November
December .
Means .
49-7
50.9
53-4
•4
62.8
65.9
65-9
62.6
57-4
54-5
;rat
? in
57.8
56.8
62
65
61.8
76-5
69.2
59-5
1*
42.8
45
44
69.7
60.5
56.7
56.5
5:
41
58.3 66.7 52.5 0.84
0.99
0.76
0.29
0.24
0.9:
0.00
O.I2
o.oo
1.36
0.68
0.07
4.67
74
s
74 4-6
e-s
52.8
54-3
55-7
58.
59.6
62.6
65-9
&
62.8
58.5
55-3
59-9
The preceding table is a synopsis of the
weather at Santa Barbara, California, for
76
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
the year 1894, and is compiled by Hugh
D. Vail from daily observation of tem-
perature as shown by self-registering
thermometers, and the movement of
the wind as measured by a Robinson
anemometer. Santa Barbara is in lati-
tude 34° 24' 30.7", and longitude 1 19°
41' 22".
The mean temperature of the year was
58.3° F., being 1.6° below the average;
that of the three winter months 51.5°,
of the spring 56.2°, of the summer
63.4°, and of the fall 62°. The highest
temperature during the year was 94°, on
September 15, and the lowest 33°, on
January 7. There were but ten days
when the temperature rose above 80° : of
these one was in April, one in June, four
were in August, and four in September.
Of the three hundred and sixty-five days
in the year, two hundred and fifteen were
clear, seventy fair, and eighty cloudy.
Rain to the amount of one-tenth of an
77
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
inch or over fell on seventeen days. The
rainfall for the year was 10.09 inches;
that for the season 1893-94, 7.02 inches;
while the average annual rainfall is about
1 8 inches. The mean relative humidity
was seventy-four per cent. The prevail-
ing wind during the year was west ; and
the total movement forty thousand one
hundred and eighty-one miles, making
the average velocity about four and one-
half miles an hour. The greatest move-
ment for any one day was three hundred
and eighty-six miles, on January 10,
being an average of sixteen miles an
hour. The most prominent peculiarities
of the past year were light rainfalls,
greater cloudiness than usual, and a
general uniformity of temperature which
was nearly two degrees below the nor-
mal.
The Ojai valley, in Ventura County,
forty miles east of Santa Barbara, is a
typical inland valley, six to eight miles
78
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
long, and three to four wide ; its altitude
is from nine hundred to fifteen hundred
feet. The soil consists of gravel, and
more or less loam on the levels, a clay
subsoil, and considerable adobe, with
some alkali. In some places water runs
off quickly, or is rapidly absorbed, leav-
ing little dampness. The winter shows
temperature extremes of eighty degrees
to twenty-six degrees ; ordinarily, the
record is seventy to forty degrees;
summer extremes, one hundred and ten
to fifty degrees, ordinarily ninety to
sixty-five degrees. The atmosphere is
said to be extremely dry, and there is no
dew. There are occasional high winds
with sand storms ; the wind that blows
from the north, from the Mojave Desert,
creates considerable electrical disturb-
ance. Fogs are infrequent, and, when
they do occur, disappear by 9 A.M.,
with a few exceptions. During the year
1894 there were over three hundred
79
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
bright, sunny days.* The average
yearly rainfall is sixteen inches.
Pasadena, about twenty-eight miles
from the coast, is situated at an elevation
of eight hundred to one thousand feet ;
within eight miles are numerous points
varying in elevation from twelve hundred
to thirty-five hundred feet. The soil is a
sandy loam. The mean average tem-
perature for January is 53.9°; July,
70.2°; December, 58°; August, 70° F.
The mean maximum and minimum tem-
perature for December, 88° F. maxi-
mum, 37° minimum ; for July, 90° F.
maximum, 51° minimum. The relative
humidity for July is sixty per cent;
December, sixty-four per cent; Sep-
tember, seventy per cent. From April
to September fogs are quite frequent in
the early morning, usually disappearing
* Report of Committee on Health-Resorts, Amer-
ican Climatological Association, vol. xi., 1895.
80
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
by nine o'clock. The proportion of
bright, sunny days is about as in Los
Angeles.
Redlands is thirteen hundred and fifty
feet above the sea-level, and is in a
valley surrounded by mountains of from
five thousand to ten thousand feet alti-
tude. The soil is dry, red, deep, and
porous, in some places stony. The
average rainfall is twelve inches. The
summers are hot, but owing to excessive
dryness are said not to be oppressive.
During the day the thermometer is apt
to register 110° F. The winter ex-
tremes are from 35° to 80° F., the
former on December 12 and 29, 1893,
and the latter on December 5 and 6,
1893. Occasional high winds occur,
and some fogs which generally disap-
pear during the forenoon.
If one pursues his course farther into
the interior, he reaches either one or the
other of the two great deserts of South-
6 81
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
ern California, the Mojave and the Colo-
rado. In the latter, in the southeastern
portion of San Diego County, is to
be found a most remarkable depression
in the earth's surface, — the bed of an
ancient sea, — known as the San Felipe
Sink, or the Conchilla Valley. The
deepest part of this depression is three
hundred and sixty feet below sea-level,
the lowest spot in the United States.*
* Other places below sea-level are : Sink of the
Amargosa (Arroyo del Muerto), in Eastern Califor-
nia, two hundred and twenty-five feet below sea-
level; the Caspian Sea, eighty-five feet below sea-
level ; Lake Assal, east of Abyssinia in the Afar
country, eight miles long and four miles wide, seven
hundred and sixty feet below sea-level. There are
several depressions about six hundred feet below
sea-level in this vicinity. The noted oasis Siwah, in
the Libyan Desert, three hundred miles west of
Cairo, is one hundred feet below sea-level. There
are also numerous other depressions in the desert
portion of Algeria and at various points in the Sa-
hara Desert. (Lindley.)
82
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
This sea-bed is one hundred and thirty
miles in length and about thirty miles
wide. At Salton, some little distance
into the depression, the sun temperature
reaches 135° to 160° F., but the hu-
midity is low and the heat is fairly well
tolerated. One may here obtain the
effects of moderately compressed air.
The famous volcanoes are a few miles
from this point.
Indio is near the edge of the de-
pression, and is but twenty feet below
sea-level. Invalids may select it for a
location, as it is on the railroad, and
water is supplied by artesian wells. In
two hours' time by railway, Beaumont
may be reached, twenty-five hundred
feet above the sea, and in another two
hours the San Jacinto Mountains, from
six to ten thousand feet above the sea.
Several years ago water returned to
the bed of this ancient sea and gave
rise to much speculation among clima-
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TWO' HEALTH -SEEKERS
tologists as to the possible effect that
this large body of water would have
upon the climate of Southern California.
I contributed my quota to this discus-
sion in The Climatologist for February,
1892, from which I extract the follow-
ing : " To us as climatologists the most
interesting part of this ancient sea is a
valley about sixty miles in length, fifteen
miles wide, and almost surrounded by
mountains, some of which are of nearly
ten thousand feet altitude. It is through
this valley that the Southern Pacific
Railroad finds its exit after leaving the
pass of San Gorgonio. A recent writer
has termed it 'The Death Valley/ al-
though from four hundred to five hun-
dred Cohuilla Indians consider it their
home. The traditions of these Indians
and the remains of ancient fish-traps
seem to show that this sink has before
been a large body of water, although
not within the existence of any living
84
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
man. The usual overflow of the Colo-
rado River,* which skirts the sink, has
been prevented from rinding its way into
this sunken area by its outlet into the
New River, which, until the extraordi-
nary rainfall of last February, was suf-
ficient ; but the unusual precipitation of
that month broke down the sand ridges,
and the Colorado River began to pour
its waters into the desert at the rate of
sixteen thousand cubic feet per second,
increasing until the flow at Yuma was
thirty -five thousand cubic feet per
second. The water reached Salton on
* Powell, of the United States Geological Survey,
says that as the delta at the mouth of the Colorado
bridges the great trough from side to side, and as the
river, in the building of the delta, has shifted its
course from place to place, it cannot be that it has
always as now flowed southward to the Gulf. Part
of the time it must have turned westward to the
Cohuilla basin. Whenever it has turned to the
southward the lake, having no other tributary, has
died away, leaving the basin as we know it now.
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TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
June 22 of the present year (1891), and
now, as I write, the sink is covered with
a vast expanse of water, one hundred
and forty-five square miles in area, and
from two to six feet in depth, while in a
few places it reaches the depth of fifteen
feet. The traces of the old sea show a
depth of eighty feet."
At the present time much, indeed
most, of the water has evaporated or
receded into the river, and the valley is
almost dry.
A very good article just published by
Gaillard, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A.,*
who was stationed here in San Diego,
and was a member of the International
Boundary Commission, United States
and Mexico, states that it will be a sur-
prise to many to learn that our own
California desert holds the world's
record for extreme heat, — 128° F. in
* The Cosmopolitan, October, 1896.
86
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
the shade, at Mammoth Tank, a point
in the desert twenty-five miles north
of the international boundary-line, — a
record far in excess of any other ever
observed at any regular weather bureau
station in the United States. Death
Valley, California, is not very far be-
hind: it has a record, taken in 1891, of
122° F.
The following table is a comparison
of our desert with other well-known
high-temperature locations. It is from
Harrington's Report on the Climate and
Meteorology of Death Valley, California :
Mammoth Tank, Colorado Desert, Cal. . . 28.0°
Pachpadra, Rajpootana, India ...... 23.1
Jacobabad, Sinde, India ......... 22.2
Death Valley, California ......... 22.0
Dera Ismaeel Kahn, Punjab, India .... 21.5
Hyderabad, Sinde, India ......... 21,0
Gardaia, Algerian Sahara, Africa ..... 18.4
Mooltan, Punjab, India ......... 18.4
It must be borne in mind that, as
Gaillard says, the figures given for the
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TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
California and Arizona deserts may be
disappointing to some who have heard
of extremely high temperatures as com-
mon occurrences. These statements, he
thinks, are partly due to exaggeration
and partly to the effect of intense radi-
ated and reflected heat, and the great
difficulty in procuring suitable shade for
the instrument. The desert traveller
encounters but little shade, and is ex-
posed to the fierce heat of the sun,
unless he locates himself at a suitable
invalid station, an oasis. The nights are
always cool: just before daylight the
thermometer may fall as low as 65° F.
I quote from Gaillard : " But it is in
winter that the desert is at its best ; the
air then is clear and crisp, invigorating
and stimulating to a remarkable degree,
and although at times it is somewhat
hot in the middle of the day, yet the
nights are perfect and the stars shine
with a dazzling brilliancy peculiar to the
88
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
desert. It is by no means unknown at
this season, and the writer recalls three
occasions in March, 1893, when, on the
Colorado desert, within thirty miles of
Mammoth Tank, water froze in his can-
teen at night, disproving completely the
popular belief that in this region it never
becomes cold enough for ice to form.
Frost, like dew, is practically unknown,
but it is on account of the small amount
of moisture in the atmosphere, and not
on account of the absence of cold suffi-
cient to produce it."
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TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
CHAPTER IV.
OUT-DOOR LIFE FOR WOMEN.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA is the very land
for out-door life, and apart from riding
and driving and bicycling and camping
there are many occupations and interests
which come well within the scope of
even delicate women. In fact, a year of
healthy country-life in Southern Califor-
nia would do far more to restore many
ailing people to health than several
seasons spent in sanitariums and cure-
resorts. To begin with, one learns to
do without hampering luxuries, and one
learns to make the best of everything,
and, above all, one is generally at a con-
siderable distance from a doctor. These
are immense advantages for some inva-
lids, especially for rich ones who have
90
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
never known what it was "to have a
single wish denied."
A woman can do a great deal of sat-
isfactory and useful work on a ranch.
She can pick the lemons, oranges, olives,
apricots, or peaches ; she can sucker the
trees ; she can undertake the anxious
task of pruning. She can superintend
the curing of olives and lemons, and see
after the packing and despatching of the
fruit.
One girl who came from the East,
from a busy life, and had more leisure
than she needed here, conceived the
excellent idea of starting a strawberry
ranch, and has made such a capital suc-
cess out of it and brought such beauti-
ful fruit to the market that others have
been only too glad to follow her ex-
ample. Another lady has turned her
attention to the culture of pampas-grass,
and is reported to have won good re-
turns for her labour and outlay. One
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TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
hears also of tired-out teachers giving
up their school-work and taking to
nursery gardening with all its various
developments. Amateur gardening is a
great resource in itself, and the satis-
faction of seeing such quick and rich
results from one's efforts is quite inde-
scribable. Given a fair supply of water,
one may soon have a beautiful garden
around one, with every variety of rose
and carnation ; wisteria, honeysuckle,
plumbago, and stephanotis will grow
almost like weeds ; in fact, anything and
everything will grow as though in fairy-
land. So that gardening in Southern
California does not mean hope deferred
making the heart sick ; it means some-
thing quite unusual in the way of com-
fort and encouragement, together with
the knowledge that one is creating
beautiful surroundings for one's home.
With regard to camping, a few words
of caution may not be out of place.
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IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Delicate women are likely to come back
worse than they were when they started
out, unless their men folk are willing to
take upon themselves the whole burden
of the work, or unless they can afford to
have a Chinaman with them, or some
other kind of servant, thus giving them
the chance to rest and get the good
from the open-air life. Otherwise they
are always over-fatigued and can enjoy
nothing, and would be far wiser if they
remained at home.
Walking is not one of the pleasures
of out-door life in Southern California.
Neither the climate nor the country is
suitable for it, although botanists who
are strong enough for the exertion
scramble about everywhere, searching
for treasures and fighting determinedly
through the thickly-grown brush; but
most of them when possible take a
horse or pony, for no one would choose
to walk here, if other means of getting
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TWO HEALTH-SEERERS
about should be within one's reach.
Lovers of flowers can, however, make a
very fair and characteristic collection by
merely gathering what grows by the
roadside, or by just taking a few steps
up the slopes and laying hands on any-
thing which strikes the fancy there.
But there is no strolling about among
shady trees and by the side of running
brooks ; and many people will find this
a great deprivation, which it undoubt-
edly is. Driving is a necessity as well
as a pleasure of every-day life ; and one
soon becomes accustomed to going for
miles and miles over roads which after a
dry season are full of "chuck-holes."
Nothing could be more enjoyable than
starting out on a typical Californian day,
with a nice little team and all the dogs
scampering along joyously, and plenty
of provisions and a fierce determination
not to return until you feel inclined.
The sense of freedom is delightful, and
94
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
moreover the most delicate invalid need
not be afraid of these expeditions, and
will find that the more she drives the
more she can drive, for there is some
curious life-giving power in the air
which prevents over-exhaustion and aids
quick recovery from ordinary fatigue.
On account of the many interests and
occupations inseparable from country-
life in Southern California, all of them
enticing one into the open air, one feels
more than justified in urging visitors to
give themselves the best chances of
recovering their health in the country
rather than in towns.
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TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
CHAPTER V.
EXPENSES OF LIVING — CLASS OF HEALTH-
SEEKERS THAT SHOULD COME TO
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — CLOTHING —
METHOD AND TIME OF ARRIVAL — LIFE
TO LEAD — AMUSEMENTS, OCCUPATIONS,
AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.
CALIFORNIA of the South is not the
country for a poor invalid.
One must not come here seeking
health without sufficient means for him-
self and his family, or care-takers. I have
seen so much distress and suffering on
this account that I wish to speak plainly.
It is useless to strive after health with-
out placing one's self under the most
favourable conditions to attain that ob-
ject. Everything that an invalid re-
quires is expensive here, much more so
than in the far East. One can live
96
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
very cheaply, but only by denying him-
self the comforts and luxuries which
are essential to the well-being of an
invalid. California has never recovered
from the conditions incident to the dis-
covery of gold within her borders;
money is comparatively easily made and
is quickly spent.
There is little trade competition, and,
in consequence, prices are maintained at
an arbitrary standard. Coal, wood, gas,
water, ice, groceries, and all manufac-
tured articles, command a price that is
far in excess of New York, Boston,
Philadelphia, or Baltimore. On the
other hand, vegetables, meat, milk, but-
ter, and some fruits are very cheap.
Horse-hire is within the reach of modest
purses. The wages for domestic service
are absurdly high, and the service very
inefficient; if we exclude the Chinese
and Japanese, who are not acceptable to
the majority, there is practically no ser-
7 97
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
vant class. House-rent is altogether
too high. If one lives in Philadelphia,
let us say, in a certain style for a cer-
tain sum, and wishes to come to South-
ern California for residence, it is safe to
calculate that it will cost him about
forty per cent, more than in his Eastern
home if he wishes to maintain the same
mode of living. It is a curious fact
that notwithstanding these conditions
the rates in the first-class hotels are not
as high as in similar houses in the East
Almost all classes of invalids will find
a suitable climate somewhere in South-
ern California, but the individual himself
must hunt for it. A rather extended
experience in these matters, both per-
sonally and professionally, has con-
vinced me of the inability of the medi-
cal adviser to select absolutely and with
certainty the proper climate for each
patient. The personal factor is too
strong, and one's likes and dislikes must
98
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
be consulted. Let him take to heart
Braun's trite remark, "We must con-
sider not only the individual sickness
but the sick individual."
Speaking broadly, persons suffering
from any of the following conditions
will find certain locations in Southern
California to be useful aids in restoring
them to health, — incipient or early
phthisis or tuberculosis in any form,
chronic pneumonia or a tardy conva-
lescence from either pneumonia or pleu-
risy, diseases of the liver following
malarial poison, cirrhosis of the liver,
simple congestion or hepatic catarrh,
jaundice, functional disturbances, and
organic ills in those of advanced years
and weak or poorly-nourished children,
children subject to one of the various
diatheses, as the strumous, rachitic, or
tubercular. The overworked and over-
worried class will find here a most
soothing climate to regain their lost
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TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
energy or restore the nervous system to
its normal equilibrium.
My advice to the health-seeker who
is independent both in time and money
is to come to California in April or May
after the rains are over. Let him remain
during the summer on the coast, the
climate of which is pleasanter, by the
way, than that of any of the Atlantic
coast resorts ; let him study the country,
become accustomed to the very different
conditions here, and be ready to obtain
the full benefit of the winter after hav-
ing recovered from the fatigues of the
journey. Those who cannot devote so
much time to the trip will do well to
start for California before the snows
occur in the East, thus avoiding the
danger of blockades which are disas-
trous to many weak persons who never
recover from the exposure. Pulmonary
invalids especially and sufferers from
circulatory disturbances, or those weak-
IN SOUTHERN
ened by disease, should on this account
select the southern route.* It is monot-
onous and unpicturesque, but free from
high altitudes, and it crosses a country
whose climate is rarely objectionable in
winter. To those who are able to stand
an altitude of nearly eight thousand
feet, the Santa Fe route affords perhaps
the most comfortable and quickest
mode of reaching Southern California.
This necessitates, however, starting from
Chicago or Kansas City, two towns not
particularly well adapted climatically to
the needs of a delicate invalid. The
writer has been a somewhat extensive
traveller and feels it but just to testify
to the uniform excellence of the Hardy
restaurant and dining-car system of this
railroad.
The invalid who is not a sufferer from
* Southern Pacific Railroad from New Orleans to
Los Angeles.
diseased heart or lungs is practically at
liberty to select any route he fancies,
and as this little treatise is not a guide-
book, he is referred to the various agen-
cies of the different cross-continent sys-
tems. The most picturesque routes are
the Canadian Pacific and the Denver
and Rio Grande. Many and varied
combinations of routes may be selected,
and much that is remarkable and inter-
esting visited en route, if one has the
strength, for example, the Yellowstone
Park, the Yosemite Valley, and the
Grand Canon of the Colorado.
The advisability of an uninterrupted
journey from the far East to California,
or of the trip made in easy stages as the
fatigues and monotony seem to demand,
is to a certain extent a personal matter,
and no one can decide it but the indi-
vidual himself. Some, indeed the ma-
jority of invalids, do much better by
pushing on to their journey's end, while
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IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
others seem to require one or more
nights' freedom from the discomforts
and lack of ventilation of the sleeping
cars to preserve them from actual harm
instead of benefit. All invalids, no mat-
ter how they may take the trip, arrive in
California fatigued and exhausted. This
requires several days, and in some in-
stances several weeks, to overcome. For
this reason one must be prepared to suf-
fer a little loss of ground when first
coming to his health station. This loss
is usually only transitory, and is gen-
erally followed by a rapid gain. If the
location be a suitable one this gain will
be continuous and in many instances
permanent.
It is perfectly foolhardy to leave
one's home for only a few months in the
winter season and expect to find a
magic cure in the climate either in this
or any other resort. No happy results
will be obtained unless the residence is
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TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
continuous for at least a year. Under-
stand me, I am referring, of course, to
cases where so-called organic disease
exists.
The sea trip by way of the Isthmus
of Panama is advised only in a small
number of cases, and the home physi-
cian must determine the proper subject
for this tedious journey. It is very
long, and in the tropical regions ex-
tremely hot, and the steamers are not
under very good discipline. It is cer-
tainly not a trip that a woman should
take alone.
I am often asked what kind of clothes
one should bring to California. I in-
variably answer, just such clothes as are
worn at home, and all the various thick-
nesses and weights that the invalid is
accustomed to there.
We have already remarked upon the
great contrast in all semi-tropic places
between sunshine and shade, and mid-
104
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
day and midnight. It is this contrast
that will oblige the new-comer to use
great caution in making any change in
the weight of clothing until he has
become thoroughly accustomed to all
the conditions he will find in our land
of many climates.
New-comers from the furnace-heated
houses of colder climates constantly
complain of the chilliness of our winter
air, a sensation no longer experienced
by the older residents. While these
strangers are thus complaining bitterly
of the cold, the tenderest flowers are
blooming luxuriously. This is of course
no more peculiar to Southern California
than it is to all semi-tropic countries.
As soon as possible, the health-seeker
must settle down in a proper and suit-
able locality, and remain there until
improvement begins or is fully estab-
lished. It is a great mistake for him to
move rapidly from place to place seek-
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TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
ing an imaginary climate and blaming
all climates because he is ill or does not
recover as quickly as anticipated. It
is much more reasonable to lay some
of the blame to the disease itself which
has brought him to California. He
must investigate patiently and impar-
tially the selection of a climate which
at first may not be the proper one, or,
perhaps, the time too short since his
arrival to draw any conclusions. At all
events, he must not decide at once that
he has chosen the wrong environment
because his disease, whose life-history
has probably been of many years*
duration, does not immediately improve.
Disease is self-limited, and the only
effect that we look for from a good
climate is the increase of tissue-resist-
ance, and the development of that
peculiar something in the tissues which
is inimical to disease. In other words,
it places one in such a condition that
106
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
nature asserts her functions in a healthy
way, and the diseased processes are
gradually replaced by healthy action.
After having selected the climate, and
made sure that his selection is a happy
one, the new-comer should secure a
properly constructed house and sur-
round himself with all the conveniences
and luxuries his means will allow. The
most sensible house for this country is
one modelled after the style of an East
Indian bungalow, a one-story structure
with overhanging eaves and wide all-
day sun-porches. It must face south
and east. Here, too, the porches must
be placed, protected on their western
extremity from the prevailing winds.
Upon this porch the invalid is literally
to live as many hours as his strength
or the weather will permit. I have a
medical friend at one of the inland
stations who lives day and night on
such a porch, the sleeping portion of
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TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
which is enclosed in fine netting. One
need have no hesitation about sleeping
or living on the ground floor; there is
practically no soil dampness in the
place where he should build his house.
The invalid must realise a few car-
dinal points. First, in-doors is little
different in Southern California from
other parts of the world, and if he
houses himself he would far better have
remained at home. If a hotel is his
choice of residence, he must not lounge
about the ill-ventilated, over-heated of-
fices, full of tobacco smoke and germ-
laden air. The man who comes to this
country and continues his club-life, the
daily round of cocktails, cigars, and
cards, without out-door exercise, had
better return at once; his stay here
would be useless. I have in mind such
a man, who, last winter, could find
nothing in Southern California that was
praiseworthy, but everything as it should
1 08
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
not be according to his standard. He
was viewing Southern California through
the smoke-impregnated air of a hotel-
lobby.
Again, one must not expect to find
the comforts in housekeeping or hotel-
life that could be obtained in an older
civilization. This is a pioneer country,
and we are the pioneers. The man who
is not willing to relinquish some of his
luxuries must not seek health in Cali-
fornia of the South.
The key-note to a healthy existence
here is out-of-door life. One must prac-
tically live in the open air. This can be
easily brought about, as most of the
locations that are considered health-
resorts have from two hundred and
sixty-five to three hundred and sixteen
days on which an invalid can be out
of doors from morning till sundown.
Even during the long storms of winter
the clouds often break, the rain ceases,
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TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
and one may spend a few hours of the
day in the open air.
Tent-life in Southern California is
peculiarly agreeable, if one does not
mind the dust, because no provision
need be made for rain-storms during
eight months of the year. From April
to November one may camp with the
certainty of finding good weather every
day. Camps may be located at any
point from sea-level to extreme altitude,
and the various climatic conditions se-
lected as detailed in other chapters.
House-wagons are serviceable, and pro-
vide a very enjoyable way of seeing the
country and regaining health. If one
loves nature, there is much to entertain
and absorb in this country ; indeed there
is little else. Man has not accomplished
much here ; the country is too vast, and
too thinly settled.
The larger cities and more pretentious
towns have good theatres and music-
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
halls, but first-class attractions are rather
scarce. There is but little club-life,
as we understand it in the older cities.
A few localities have endeavoured to
establish country clubs, but as yet they
are not very successful. Riding-horses
are low-priced, and livery is compara-
tively very cheap. On the coast, ex-
cellent fishing, sailing, and yachting may
be enjoyed the year round. San Diego
has the only good harbour on the
southern coast, but the roadsteads at
Santa Barbara and Catalina are practi-
cally good enough for pleasure sailing.
The shooting is excellent ; quail, duck,
snipe, curlew, mountain quail, and plover
are among the small game which are
plentiful. In the mountains deer may
be found, and occasionally bear is
seen.
The occupations and business oppor-
tunities in Southern California are
neither plentiful nor varied. The coun-
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
try is distinctly agricultural, but even
agriculture is not well developed. It is
in an experimental state. The manu-
facturing industries are hardly repre-
sented at all, on account of the scarcity
of water and the absence of coal and
iron. In the cities and small towns one
is confined to the trades and occupations
which supply the inhabitants with the
usual necessities and comforts of life.
One who is obliged to gain his livelihood
in Southern California must depend
upon one of these occupations or turn
his attention to agriculture.
The professions are greatly over-
crowded, more so, I think, than is true
of other parts of the world, due to the
fact that professional men who break
down from overwork are continually
coming to this country as health-seek-
ers, and after regaining their health
never go home.
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
CHAPTER VI.
TUBERCULOSIS AND DISEASES OF THE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.
BEFORE beginning the study of cli-
mate for the consumptive, it is perhaps
as well to obtain a clear idea of just
what is meant by the term consumption.
This has popularly come to mean pul-
monary phthisis, but this term no longer
represents a specific pathological condi-
tion. It is rather loosely applied to a
number of more or less chronic inflam-
matory processes in the lung.*
* " Of the sixty-three million people living to-day
in the United States, nine millions or more will, un-
less something be done to prevent it, die of tubercu-
losis. In the census year of 1890, one hundred and
two thousand one hundred and ninety-nine deaths
are reported as due to pulmonary tuberculosis or
consumption. To the reported deaths not less than
8 H3
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
Most observers of to-day are agreed
that the following classification is as
nearly accurate as our present knowl-
edge allows :
I. Pneumonic phthisis, — a destruction
of the pulmonary tissue through casea-
thirty per cent, should be added in order to arrive at
the actual number. When this computation is made
it will be found that the annual number of deaths
in this country from pulmonary tuberculosis amounts
to nearly one hundred and thirty-three thousand;
add to this the deaths from tuberculosis of other
portions of the body, and without exaggeration we
may state that the tubercle bacillus is responsible
directly or indirectly for not less than one hundred
and fifty thousand deaths in this country each year."
— Victor C. Vaughn, M.D., of Ann Arbor, Michigan,
in the Medical News.
Otis states that if we take the minimum estimate
put upon the economic value of a human life, three
million nine hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars
are lost to the State of New Hampshire alone by
the ravages of this disease. It is a simple problem
to apply this to the entire United States, when the
total becomes appalling.
114
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
tion or cheesy degeneration of the in-
flammatory products in the lung, and
the subsequent softening or the breaking
down of the caseous deposits.
2. Tubercular phthisis, — a progressive
inflammatory change in the lung-tissue,
accompanied by the presence of the
bacillus tuberculosis, a tubercular de-
posit in the lung parenchyma with a
subsequent or concomitant degeneration
of the tubercle and adjacent pulmonary
tissue.
3. Acute phthisis, — sometimes called
acute miliary tuberculosis, in which
there is a rapid bacillary invasion and a
deposit of the gray tubercle granule
throughout the entire body, but espe-
cially in the lungs.
4. Fibroid phthisis, — an inflammatory
hyperplasia of the lung parenchyma,
subsequent cirrhosis, atrophy and de-
generation of the vesicular structure.
It seems hardly necessary at this late
"5
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
day to call attention to the contagious-
ness of tuberculosis, and were it not for
the fact that I constantly meet people
who come to California for health and
do not or will not believe that such is
the case, I should pass the matter in
silence, but for this reason I quote the
following: "I should for obvious rea-
sons dissuade the occupation of the
same bed or even of the same sleeping
apartment by two persons one of whom
is known to labour under pulmonary
consumption/* (Sir Thomas Watson.)
Fuller has this to say on the subject :
" It behooves the physician to warn the
patient's friends of the dangers incident
to long-continued attendance on him, es-
pecially if the disease be in an advanced
stage. It would be the height of im-
prudence for a healthy person, espe-
cially if young and of a scrofulous diath-
esis, to sleep in the same bed or even
in the same apartment with a consump-
116
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
tive patient; for although the malady
might not be communicated directly
from one to the other, unless possibly
under the conditions of some tubercular
matter being accidentally introduced
into his air-passages or into some other
part of his system, the surroundings and
the air would be calculated to predispose
him to the disease!'
It will thus be seen that a very im-
portant duty of the physician is to sug-
gest an intelligent prophylaxis which
will maintain the normal mechanism in
a state to repel a bacillary invasion and
to make possible a spontaneous re-
covery. The great desideratum in the
climatic treatment of consumption is to
have the invalid leave home soon
enough and reach the selected locality
before the disease has made any ad-
vances. It is now usually possible, by
the microscopic examination of the
sputum, to determine very early in the
117
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
case whether or not we are dealing with
consumption in its gravest form — the
bacillary — or simply some of the other
pulmonary diseases whose import is far
less serious. Just here, however, we
may encounter a serious difficulty; the
disease may develop without giving rise,
for a time at least, to appreciable mani-
festations. Indeed, the disease may have
progressed to a very considerable extent
without having become outwardly ap-
parent. All of us engaged in the study
of this subject have long observed that
tuberculous changes are sometimes
found after death, where, during life, the
individual was seemingly entirely free
from such lesions. The German ob-
servers are so impressed with this fact
that they have stated that every one
ultimately becomes infected with tuber-
culosis.
In order to give rise to constitutional
manifestations it is necessary that the
118
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
multiplication of the bacilli and the
generation of toxines reach such a de-
gree that the accumulation finds en-
trance into the circulation. Maragliano
(Berliner klinische Wochenschrift, Nos.
19 and 20, 1896) says that when tuber-
culosis is present without subjective or
objective symptoms, the latency may
pursue one of three courses : (a) it may
persist indefinitely ; (b) it may be limited
in duration; (c) it may be intermittent
in occurrence. When the first condition
exists, persistent latency, infection is be-
yond the range of certain detection, the
normal processes of nature (auto-therapy
or auto-serumtherapy) controlling the
advance of the disease. If the latency
is limited in duration the infection sud-
denly makes its appearance. These are
the cases where hemorrhage from the
lungs suddenly occurs without apparent
previous symptoms, and causes much
amazement to the patient and his
119
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
friends. Another group of cases also
occur under these conditions, those in
which tuberculosis suddenly shows
itself in connection with some acute
infectious disease, such as typhoid fever.
When one passes the border-line from
latent to manifest tuberculosis one of
two things has occurred, either in-
creased infection or a diminished resist-
ance, possibly both.
There is another form of latent tuber-
culosis which has recently been classified
as larval tuberculosis, and subdivided
into two types, dystrophic and typhoid.
In the first the patient gives pronounced
evidences of disturbed nutrition ; he has
the symptoms which are popularly
known as dyspepsia, — namely, progres-
sive failure in strength, an enfeebled
heart and pulse, lost or impaired appe-
tite, debility, mental depression, and
anaemia. Fever is rarely present, and
physical signs, if they appear at all,
120
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
occur very late in the disease. The
second type, the typhoid form of larval
tuberculosis, is characterized by the
early occurrence of fever, which is at
first intermittent and then remittent.
Derangements of innervation appear very
early, although the general strength may
be maintained. Attacks closely resem-
bling typhoid fever occur from time to
time. The greatest care is required to
make the diagnosis of larval tuberculo-
sis, and, as it is not our object to con-
sider the methods of clinical medicine,
we shall refrain from discussing abstruse
problems. Suffice it to say that the
diagnosis can be made by intelligent and
painstaking observation.
When the existence of consumption
is recognized early, and the patient is
immediately sent to a proper climate, I
see often some most remarkable res-
torations to health. I have two such
instances in mind, of young medical men
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
in whom the infection was detected at
once; one received his in a large city
hospital and the other in a bacteriologi-
cal laboratory. They came to Califor-
nia, were placed in a suitable climate,
lived a proper life, and within a year the
bacilli had entirely disappeared, and the
men presented every rational and phys-
ical sign of complete restoration to
health.
Another great class of people who
will derive marked benefit here are
those in whom it is impossible to de-
monstrate the existence of actual dis-
ease in the lung (latent and larval tu-
berculosis), but who are weak, ill nour-
ished, take cold easily, are subject to
attacks of winter cough and bronchitis,
and whose family history points strongly
to the ultimate consumptive break-
down. These individuals present an
inherited, or, if strumous or rachitic, an
acquired, predisposition to the disease.
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
These and the very early or incipient
consumptive will be considered in the
same class climatically. They should
come prepared to remain at least two
years, — five would be better, — and they
must be able to procure everything that
aids in the promotion and maintenance
of the general health. As I have said
before, it is madness to come to Califor-
nia in search of health without ample
means to supply all comforts and lux-
uries.
Whatever impairs the vitality or im-
properly affects the normal functions
of a consumptive must be constantly
guarded against. All acute pulmonary
disorders should be promptly relieved;
affections of the throat and nose, how-
ever slight, should be made the object
of careful treatment. Most important,
indeed vital, is healthy digestion, both
stomachic and intestinal. Here is the
key-note of success. The pulmonary
123
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
invalid who eats well, digests, and assim-
ilates is on the high-road to success.
Any change from city to country is
of advantage to the phthisical invalid.
There is usually a gain in weight and an
amelioration of all symptoms. But the
place of residence must be thoughtfully
selected, its sanitary conditions and gen-
eral appointments must be above re-
proach, the local and meteorological
conditions the best that can be found.
However, if this gain does not at once
occur, one must not conclude that he is
immediately to change the location and
seek a new climate. Nor is one to sit
down in a porch-rocker on reaching the
selected locality and wait for a miracu-
lous climatic cure. Here, as in all other
relations of life, little is to be gained
without labour. The climate unaided will
produce little if any benefit at all. The
quantity and selection of food must be
carefully looked to. Physical exercise
124
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
cannot be neglected, and should be ad-
justed to the needs of each individual.
The only two aids which, in my hands,
have produced happy results in restoring
health are good food and out-of-door
life. I do not mean by this a few hours
in an easy-chair on the porch, but an
out-of-door existence, in many cases for
the entire twenty-four hours. Those
who come early enough, remain long
enough, and lead this life, are almost
certain to find what they seek. I have
records of too many cases of complete
and partial recovery under these circum-
stances, not to speak very positively
on the matter and to feel absolutely
sure of my statements. Many of these
health-seekers have become my intimate
personal friends, whom I see day by
day, and whose maladies are cured,
arrested, or quiescent.
It is a fact that for eighty years,
as Theodore Williams says, whatever
125
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
success has been attained in the treat-
ment of phthisis has been achieved
by strengthening and fortifying treat-
ment, whether by diet, climate, or medi-
cines, and not by so-called specific treat-
ment.
We must lend aid and support to the
organism's inherent power to resist
disease. Metchnikoff has acquainted us
with some of the powerful weapons with
which nature fights the battle of resist-
ance to such bacillary marauders.
Our object is to increase the number
and activity of the phagocytes (lymph
or white blood-corpuscles, regarded as
organisms capable of devouring what
they meet, especially pathogenic mi-
crobes).
Williams considers pure air the most
important factor in the treatment; suc-
cess is largely dependent upon its
thorough application to the system of
the patient. He recommends an out-
126
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
of-door life, and adds that phthisical
patients should accustom themselves to
open windows throughout the year.
The question of occupation or amuse-
ment for pulmonary invalids is always an
important one. Early in their stay they
are better without anything to do, other
than taking extremely good care of
their health, but as they improve, the
life becomes very monotonous, and
home-sickness asserts itself most vigor-
ously. The commercial occupations, as
I have already said, are few, but, as a
rule, the man who resides in Southern
California for the purpose of combating
the invasion of tuberculosis is much bet-
ter off without commercial duties; he
would do better to seek occupation in
agriculture, or, at least, in such a one
as will enable him to perform his duties
in the open air.
If his means be ample, ranching in
a small way will afford both occupation
127
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
and amusement, and aid very materially
in accomplishing his purpose. If this
be not to his taste, he can still occupy
himself with out-door pursuits, with his
horses, his guns, and his dogs. Yacht-
ing, sailing, and fishing, too, will keep
him in the open air. The bicycle is to be
used only upon the advice of his physi-
cian. Under no conditions is he to lead
a so-called society life. If he is not
willing to relinquish these pleasures, he
had better not come here as a health-
seeker.
In most cases a permanent residence
is necessary to the maintenance of a
cure. A majority of cases that receive
any benefit retain it only by remaining in
California. When the disease has been
arrested in this or any good climate,
and the individual has returned to his
old life, where he again breaks down, he
does not the second time make as good
a recovery, or possibly he does not re-
128
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
cover at all on revisiting California or
his selected health-station.
These remarks, of course, do not apply
to those who come in an advanced stage
of the disease ; with these little will be
accomplished, except the prolongation of
life. I have often been dumfounded at the
length to which life is prolonged under
these circumstances. We frequently see
up and about individuals whose disease
is in such an advanced state that they
would most certainly be confined perma-
nently to bed in their Eastern homes.
It is this peculiar effect of a residence in
this climate that seems most striking to
the physician himself when first he
comes an invalid to this country.
129
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
CHAPTER VII.
THOSE BENEFITED BY THE CLIMATE.
THOSE who desire a change from the
cold, damp winters of their homes,
though they may not be ailing, or, in-
deed, may enjoy good health, will find
that Southern California offers them
many pleasant and suitable locations.
A large class of such people come
yearly to this country ; it is even quite
noticeable how they repeat this year after
year.
Convalescents from any acute disease
will hasten their complete recovery by
coming here, and will be restored to
perfect health much sooner than is usual
at home.
All catarrhal affections do well in
Southern California ; it makes little dif-
ference whether it be catarrh of the re-
130
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
spiratory system, of the gastro-intestinal
tract, of the bladder, or, in fact, of any
mucous surface, except the so-called
catarrhal form of consumption. These
invalids, however, must be particularly
careful to avoid the unfavourable condi-
tions which exist in our climate. They
must constantly bear in mind that they
are possessed of peculiarly unstable
membranes and that very slight causes
will give rise to congestion or inflamma-
tion. The sufferer from catarrh of the
stomach or intestines can no more
abuse with impunity the ordinary laws
of dietetics in California than he can
anywhere else.
Scrofulous affections, enlarged glands,
the soft, flabby muscles of the strumous
individual, and the lymphatic or adenoid
child, receive a remarkable benefit from
long residence on the coast combined
with sea-bathing.
Tuberculous disease of the bones is
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
rare in the native population, and is
favourably affected in foreigners by the
warm, equable climate and out-door
life. These individuals can live in the
open air, even if confined to bed, or to
the use of the various surgical appli-
ances for rest of the parts or correction
or modification of deformities. The
little sufferers from Pott's disease or
coxalgia may be carried out of doors
on their cots in the early morning and
not be brought into the house until after-
noon, an inestimable blessing.
The sufferers from gout and rheuma-
tism receive great comfort and benefit.
The open-air life which they are able
to lead is a condition very favourable to
recovery. An active skin and pure air
are wonderful helps in eliminating the
disease.
Those who have abnormal forms of
gout and rheumatism, suppressed gout,
gouty bronchitis, and the dyspepsia and
132
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
anaemia attendant upon these con-
ditions, will also find relief from their
pains and an amelioration of their dis-
ease. Invalids in this class must also
be extremely careful to avoid indiscre-
tions in diet, errors in clothing, damp,
fatigue, or chill. Gout or rheumatism
rarely develop in this country. I often
hear complaints that such is not the
case, but that a severe attack of rheu-
matism has just appeared, much to the
patient's surprise and annoyance. Care-
ful inquiry, however, usually elicits the
fact that he has had other slight attacks
or, at all events, premonitory symptoms
before coming to California. Or it may
come to light that he has a decidedly
gouty or rheumatic ancestry.
It cannot be considered that rheumatic
maladies which arise in Southern Cali-
fornia among the native population, or
those long resident here, are the result
of any climatic conditions. The specific
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
originating cause of rheumatism is still
under discussion. It is but fair to sup-
pose that our climate presents nothing in
itself which will retard the operation of
this cause within the individual, just as
the bacillus tuberculosis is not extermi-
nated by climate.
Those who, in addition to the ordinary
manifestations of rheumatism, show a
peculiar susceptibility to changes in the
weather, and, like the West Point pro-
fessor, are slaves to the clouds, also
those who are neuralgic with or without
rheumatic taint, will find almost entire
immunity from their tortures somewhere
in Southern California. The exact loca-
tion they must decide for themselves by
personal experience.
Persons having diseases of the kid-
neys, particularly the granular kidney,
will find our climatic conditions very
favourable to their comfort and well-being.
In this connection I will quote from my
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
paper contributed to the Climatologist
some years ago. " It appears, then, that
a residence in a suitable locality, while
it will not of course arrest well-marked
kidney lesions, will at least prolong life
to a degree far beyond the natural ex-
pectancy. The constant skin activity,
much of which is manifested as insen-
sible perspiration, lowers arterial ten-
sion, and depletes in a most beneficial
manner, relieving the overtaxed renal
circulation and the diseased parenchyma.
Furthermore, the patient will be pro-
tected from the dangers of intercurrent
or concomitant maladies, which are so
apt to prove fatal to one with renal in-
adequacy."
The future will show that in Southern
California, from sea-level to two thou-
sand feet, the invalid has at his com-
mand the climatic conditions which will
prolong his life if suffering from chronic
renal disorders; and if the change be
'35
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
made soon enough, when the connective
tissue is yet embryonic, it is but reason-
ble to suppose that, with decreased ten-
sion and active skin, freedom from inter-
current renal congestions, and a constant
out-door life, the disease may be arrested
or removed. J. C. Wilson and Loomis
(Transactions of the American Climato-
logical Association, 1889) consider that
there is reason to believe that low tem-
perature, rapid change of temperature,
and high altitudes are unfavourable,
whereas equability and warmth are
favourable influences.
Anaemia, except the pernicious form,
rapidly improves with us ; these invalids
speedily grow better and stronger and
are more able to lead the necessary out-
door life.
People who are afflicted with atonic
dyspepsia, the various urinary diatheses,
oxaluric, phosphuric, and other troubles
of this kind, chronic rheumatic arthritis
136
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
or rheumatoid arthritis, will find help
from prolonged residence here.
Pneumonia in Southern California is
a very rare disease in my experience;
it is apt to run a short course and pre-
sent a speedy convalescence. In Los
Angeles County pneumonia appears as
a cause in only 2.41 per cent, out of a
total of six hundred and sixty-four
deaths. The report of the health de-
partment of the city of San Diego
shows but twelve deaths from pneu-
monia during six months of the year.
Baker has shown by diagrams and
tables in a convincing manner that the
rise and fall of sickness from pneumonia,
bronchitis, influenza, tonsillitis, croup,
diphtheria, and scarlet fever are more or
less controlled by fluctuations of atmos-
pheric temperature, the diseases being
increased by lower and diminished by
higher temperature.
Erysipelas is a very rare disease here.
i37
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
Bullard's statistics show but one death
in eleven years, and demonstrate the
fact that in all Southern California ery-
sipelas is only about half as frequent as
in the rest of the United States.
Advancing years and old age may be
robbed of many concomitant infirmities
by residence in a suitable locality. The
aged are rarely safe in a high altitude ;
nor can they with impunity change their
station from low to high altitudes, more
particularly if they suffer from chronic
pulmonary disease, bronchitis, bronchi-
ectasis, fibroid phthisis, or the like. A
dilated, fatty heart absolutely forbids
removal from sea-level. On the whole,
a marine climate is preferable for old
people, and if it be warm and equable,
so much the better, as gout and rheu-
matism may be warded off, or, if these
be already present, the severity of their
manifestations may be lessened.
Cystitis, so often an attendant on ad-
138
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
vanced years, and so apt to be aggra-
vated by damp, changeable weather, will
be markedly benefited by our warm,
equable climate.
Insomnia, the plague of the old, and
sometimes the torture of the young, will
find most speedy relief on the coast
Indeed, the writer has observed most
gratifying results in this respect after a
sojourn of even a few months.
This country is a veritable paradise
for the growing child. There is no
period during the entire year when it is
necessary to house the little ones.
There are no badly ventilated, over-
crowded, or overheated rooms. The
zymotic diseases are usually not at all
prevalent. They are mild, run a very
favourable course, and are generally
followed by complete recovery. The
scrofulous child lives under the most
favourable conditions to combat the
inherited taint.
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
CHAPTER VIII.
THOSE NOT BENEFITED BY THE CLIMATE.
CERTAIN diseases of the nervous sys-
tem are not particularly benefited by a
residence in Southern California. The
chronic paralytic will be able to lead his
remnant of life in the open air instead
of in furnace-heated rooms, but he must
not expect any curative effects from the
climate. The dry electrical conditions
of the interior seem to aggravate the
pains of early spinal sclerosis or loco-
motor ataxia. They do fairly well on
the coast, but with these, again, climate
is of little avail.
Cases of neurasthenia that have
reached the stage which it is now fash-
ionable to call terminal neurasthenia are
better away from Southern California;
140
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
the head pains maybe aggravated by the
dryness and constant sunshine. Such
patients do better in a more humid and
colder locality. They always complain
bitterly of the " desert winds."
I have never been able to see that
epileptics are aided in any way.
Hemorrhagic cases of tuberculosis
should, if they come to Southern Cali-
fornia, select a moderate elevation some-
what removed from the coast.
The so-called catarrhal forms of pul-
monary disease, the catarrhal phthisis
of the older writers, the phthisis florida
of the more recent observers, are apt to
do badly in any climate ; the best loca-
tion for a large number of these patients
in Southern California is at an altitude
between fifteen hundred and eighteen
hundred feet.
Some patients with laryngeal phthisis
find the humidity and winds of the
coast very trying; they also complain
141
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
of the dry heat of the interior, so that
for them at least Southern California
offers no suitable home.
Other consumptive patients find
Southern California entirely unsuited
to their particular malady. They lose
flesh, have fever and night-sweats and
haemoptysis. The temperature changes,
the difference between sunshine and
shade and mid-day and midnight, and
the fogs, all affect them unfavourably.
They are unsuited to a semi-tropic sta-
tion.
I find that certain skin diseases, nota-
bly eczema, are affected unfavourably by
a residence too close to the sea. I have
never observed that " fibroids," cases of
cirrhosis of the liver, or gastric ulcera-
tion show any particular tendency to
hemorrhages in this country. They are
no more apt to bleed here than else-
where.
Some cases of rheumatism find the
142
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
coast and the interior unsuited to their
form of the malady, and are obliged to
seek other health-resorts. Asthmatics,
whose disease is most peculiar in its cli-
matic relations, must try this climate
personally for a sufficient time before it
is possible to decide upon the desirability
of remaining here or selecting another
and totally different climate. Persons
suffering from this disease often find
entire immunity by a change of only a
few miles, or, indeed, in some instances,
by a change from house to house in the
same town ; others will travel the world
over and fail to find relief.
It is almost impossible to lay down a
hard and fast rule and say with absolute
certainty who will or will not receive
benefit by coming to California. We
must consider the individual case. We
frequently meet with patients who seem
unsuited, but nevertheless gain much
after residence here. These exceptions
TWO HEALTH-SEEKERS
do not, of course, affect the general
deductions, but simply serve to show
that in many instances a personal visit
of the invalid will alone decide the
matter.
THE END.
144
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