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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1880)
December, 1880. THE WEST SHORE. 3a7 OREGON'S MEDICAL TOPOGRAPHY. ENDEMICS AND KI'IDEMICS. The following reports from rcpo. sible physicians furnishes our readers a valuable compilation of the general health of this State: VICINITY OF FORT KLAMATH, I.AKR COUNTY. Fort Klamath is situated in Lake county, in southwestern Oregon. Lati tude, 43 deg. 39 min. 4 sec. north j longitude, 44 deg. 40 min. west ; alti tude, 4,200 feet above the sea. It is on the eastern margin of a valley in the Cascade mountains. The valley runs north and south ; it is about twenty miles long and seven miles wide at the point where the post is located. To wards the south it widens somewhat, and extends to upper Klamath lake about seven miles distant. High hills and mountains surround the valley on the north, east and west. The site of the post and the ground immediately about it is somewhat above the general level of the valley and is tolerably well drained. Between the post and Wood river, however, the ground is low in places, and in the spring and summer is marshy. It is not until the latter part of July or the beginning of August, that the marshy places become dry. During those two months the mos quitoes arc generally very troublesome at the post and the prevailing wind, blowing over these flats towards the post, brings with it the germs of mias. inatic diseases, which affect the gar rison more or less at that ecason of the year. The rocks about the post are mostly of volcanic origin. At least a layer, more or less thick, of lava-rock seems to overlie the older formations, pumice abounding in the forest and on the hill. A good arable alluvium covers the general surface of the valley, but in consequence of the frosty nights lli.it arc liable to occur at all seasons of the year, only a very few vegetables can be raised. The foothills and mountains are covered with evergreen foliage Six streams, the waters of which arc all, excepting that of one, of crystal clearness, flow through the valley within a short distance of the post. All these streams, as well as Klamath lukc, aWnd in very superior quulity of salmon trout, ranging from a few ounces to fifteen pounds in weight The waters of Linn creek, which heads in a spring a short distance from the post, is supplied for drinking purposes. I The water of this stream has a constant temperature of about 40 deg. Fah., ami is of excellent quality. BENTON COUNTY, CORVAI.I.IS. Reported by Drs. Franklin, Cauthorn, G. R. Farra and J. 15. Lee. Corvallis is situated on a level, elevated tract of land in the angle of a stream uniting with the Willamette. The country east is timbered. Drainage in the winter is good, but in the summer stagnant pools become breeding places for ma larial diseases. Numerous swampy tracts arc near. The usual rainy and wet seasons of the Willamette prevail. Winter winds usually from the north or noithwest. Summers not usually hot. Last summer cntero-colitis anil dysentery prevailed to some extent. The prevailing diseases arc of malarial origin, pneumonia, typhoid fever, ma larial fever, rheumatic fever, bronchitis and neuralgia are common. Phthisis and asthma arc frequently met with Exanthemata, with the exception of scarlatina, have their usual average ap pearancc. Diphtheria of a very tnalig nant form appeared in 1877,110110 since The general health is good and the rate of mortality low. CLACKAMAS COUNTY, NEW KKA. Hy Dr. J. Casto. Country rough and hilly, timbered on the Willamette. No endemics or epidemics. One min cral spring not analyzed. No lakes ir swamps. Water hard. Drainage good. Climate usually damp, but general health good. Mortality of children vry slight. OREliON CITY. Hy Dr. J. A. White. Country tin) bcrcd with fir. No lakes or swamps. One soda spring. Range of tcmH-r aturc not known. Prevailing diseases arc thoracic. Diphtheria apa-ars occa sionally as our local epidemic. Average mortality of children, medium. CLATSOP COUNTY, CI.IKION. Ity the postmaster. Country moun. taiuous and woody with much under brush. On Columbia river strong sea breezes ; climate mild with but little snow. General health good, no cpi demies, children healthy. COOt COUNTY, MASSIIKIKI.II. Hy Dr. C. W. Tower. Country well timlwrcd. No mineral spring. Water soft. Drainage good. Climate damp from Decerning to May. Moderate winds from north during the summer from the south during the winter. No prevailing diseases. Coos Hay is con sidered one of the healthiest places in the Wuild. Tplinid uii.es extremely rare. Sinall-pox been imported t,wicc during the past twelve ears. No ma larial diseases. Diphtheria bus never appeared. Average temperature for it79 whs 51. jo. During the year there were 119 rainy days with a fall of about 70 inches of water. CURRY COUNTY, KI.I.KNHIIDRll. Hy Dr. F. (). Vander Green. Country mountainous, extensive forests. Drainage good except north of Port Orford where there arc lakes, lagoons and swampy lands. No lime. Tho water is soft. A few springs of a chalybeate nature. Climate usually wet, with cokl northwest winds. Tem perature very even neither cold nor hot, summer nights are delightfully cool. The general health is excellent. Mortality among children very slight. bndemics and epidemics arc unknown. Dr. Vander Green is the only physician in the county, which speak well for the health of the locality. DOIKII.AS COUNTY, SUI.HIUR ll'RINOS. Hy M r. John Cowan, tho postmaster. Reports no physician within twenty-five miles. Country mountainous. Heavy fir timber, sulphursprings. Noswamps, Water clear and soft. No diseases. A mixed Denote as to mitionu btv. All j hail and hearty, with no thought of de.ith. DOUOLA COUNTY. Rosehtirg is situated in a circle of hills on high ground. The drainage is excellent, but in winter tho continued rains on the black muck soil renders the roads almost impassable, The water is generally soft. The health of tho community is fair. Timber not plenty. No mineral springs, lakes or swamps. The climate is very even. The usual variety of' diseases are met with, but tho rule of mortality it quite low. CANYONVII.IK. Hy Dr.C. II. Merrick. Very similar to Roseburg except in character of soil and roads. Here the rone! are sandy or rather gravelly, and are never very muddy. The villugc is 011 the south Umqii!i, and the drainage i excellent. Water soft. Teeth of children gencr. ally had. An epidemic of rubeola ami one of pertussis, attacking adults is well a children, two year ago, but with nq