Alpine winter in its medical aspects : with notes on Davos Platz, Wiesen, St. Moritz, and the Maloja.

  • Wise, A. T. Tucker (Alfred Thomas Tucker), 1848-1928.
Date:
1885
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Alpine winter in its medical aspects : with notes on Davos Platz, Wiesen, St. Moritz, and the Maloja. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    ST. MORITZ.—Leaving the Davos Valley with its three stations—Davos Dorfli, Davos Platz, and Wiesen—three passes are available for a journey to the Engadine,—viz., the Fluela (7,890 feet), Albula (7,582 feet), and the Julier (7,504 feet). Strange as it may seem to those ignorant of the winter climate of these regions, a passage fraught with but little risk can be undertaken in the depth of winter, and the journey to St. Moritz or the Maloja made in one day, even by persons who are not in robust health. It is advisable however to break the journey either at Zernetz or Zuz. Many change their locale in this way, and when tired of one place seek the novelty and freshness of new quarters. There seems to be no objection to the practice, always provided the wanderer is in a fit state of health for the trip. St. Moritz lies in the Upper Engadine, over 6,000 feet above the level of the sea, is surrounded by lofty mountains, and fairly well sheltered from wind ; it possesses the climatic characteristics of an Alpine health resort; the air is similar in quality and effects to that of other Alpine stations. Situated nearly 1,000 feet higher than Davos Platz, the barometric pressure is lessened to about 3 lbs. on the square inch, instead of about 2h lbs. at at the latter place. The winter season is longer, and a larger quantity of snow generally falls. Dr. Burney Yeo represented the advantages of this cold and dry climate in 1866, but at that period the high lands in Switzerland were not appre- ciated as they are now, and the experiment of sending patients there failed through a misunderstanding of the requirements of such cases. Since then Di-. Symes Thompson has written an interest- ing brochure on winter residence at St. Moritz, embodying his experiences of the place and of the progression of several pulmonary cases, which he had sent there with marked benefit. Two hotels are open to receive those who winter at St. Moritz, two ice rinks are in constant use, and several tracks are kept in good order for coasting and tobogganing.