Aiken as a health station : a contribution to medical climatology / by W.H. Geddings.

  • Geddings, Wm. H. (William H.), 1838-1892.
Date:
1877
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Aiken as a health station : a contribution to medical climatology / by W.H. Geddings. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    several years ago, that there is no class of patients in whom we may more confidently hope for the beneficial change of air than in the case of children predisposed by the scrofulous diathesis, or by hereditary taint, to consumption. The climate chosen for the treatment of this predisposition to tubercular disease should be dry, bracing and equable. Aiken is contra-indicated in the following diseases : 1. Laryngeal Consumption, the air being entirely too dry for such cases. 2. Laryngitis. 3. Bronchitis, when attended with very tight cough and sparse secretion. 4. Brig/it's Disease.—If sent South at all, these cases should winter at Nassau or Florida. Should it be desirable to send them to Aiken it should be only in the Fall or Spring. 5. Eye Diseases.—The glare from the white sand of Aiken will be found objectionable in these diseases. 6. Diseases of the nervous systern must be selected with caution and in accordance with the known peculiarities of the climate. There are two forms of disease in which the writer frankly confesses his inability to determine beforcliand, whether or not they will derive benefit from a residence in Aiken, rheu- matic affections and spasmodic bronchitis, (asthma,) many cases of both having been cured, but in other instances he has been obliged to send them farther South to warmer and moister regions. With our present knowledge, the climatic treatment of these affections is still, in a great measure, experimental. WHEN TO GO TO AIKEN. The time at which the invalid should go to Aiken will de- pend upon the object of his visit, the nature of his disease, and his physical condition. Many persons go South simply to avoid the disagreeable months of winter and spring, and are not injured by remaining at home during the autumn. For the consumptive, however, who seeks in the South not a place of refuge, but goes there to get well, we would suggest an early departure, so as to reach Aiken in time to enjoy the superb weather which usually prevails from the 1st of Octo- ber to Christmas. This is at Aiken undoubtedly the finest portion of the year, with day after day of bright sunshine, the air being just cold enough to act as a gentle tonic, without chilling, or in any way adding to the discomfort of even the 0-