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398 IDEAL HOME LIFE |
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man," he must have had his physical condition, no less than his moral and intellectual in view, for he knew by personal experience what were the discomforts which attended the want of physical health.
Choice of Climate
Admitting that an individual in a fairly robust condition is in very many instances capable of habituating himself to almost any condition of climate, without seriously encroaching upon his vitality, what are the elements which must be considered by one of defective vitality in selecting for himself a place of residence ?
The first requisite would seem to be that there should be no great extremes in temperature, and particularly that there should be no sudden and extensive variations. A variation of forty or fifty degrees in twenty-four hours could not fail to make an unfavorable impression upon a sensitive and delicate physical condition. The climate which at present seems to be considered most favorable for invalids from whatever cause must have a pretty uniform temperature during the greater portion of the year.
In respect to altitude, there are many places both at the sea-level, and at elevations of 1,000 to 5,000 feet, in which the variations of temperature are neither very great nor very sudden. The sea-level, or its vicinity, may be selected if the individual has dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, and a higher elevation when there is moist skin and catarrhal mucous membranes. A region which is often visited by strong winds, whether dry or moist, and whether containing irritating substances or not, should be avoided if possible. A forest region, especially of the evergreen variety, may be particularly beneficial for those who are suffering with affections of the throat and lungs.
An elevated plateau, if the winds are not strong, is also a favorable location in many instances. A location in which it is possible to have an abundant supply of sunlight, apart from the tropics or the depressing heat of summer in temperate zones, is most desirable. A climate in which the atmosphere is con- |
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