Before the establishment
of this mountain refuge from the heat of the plains, many cases of
this class were transferred to the United States that are now brought
back to health at Camp John Hay and Camp Keithley. The beneficial
effect of the change in climate is particularly noticeable in people
who have become run down after one or more hot seasons spent at the
lower levels.
"6. The great value of a refuge in the mountains from the effect of
prolonged heat is shown in enclosed reports, which indicate the classes
of cases especially benefited, but there are a great many others not
reported and not actually sick but whose vitality and resistance are
more or less diminished and who find great benefit from an occasional
sojourn in the mountains of Benguet or the highlands of Mindanao,
especially during the hottest part of the year."
I have quoted thus at length from communications of a distinguished
British medical officer, of a well-known and able special student
of tropical diseases, and of the ranking United States army surgeon
in the islands to show the consensus of opinion among experienced
experts as to the necessity of hill stations in the tropics. I might
give numerous additional similar opinions of equally competent men
but will only add two more statements of Major Ashburn, the latter
of which seems to me admirably to sum up the situation:--
So firm is my belief in the efficacy of the place that I have at
considerable expense kept my two sons in school there, instead of
keeping them at home in Manila at no expense for schooling, and so
satisfactory has been the result in normal, vigorous growth and robust
health for both boys, that I consider the money so spent about the
best investment I have ever made.
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