CALGARY 
THE 
DENVER OF CANADA 
ITS ADAPTABILITY AS A 
HEALTH RESORT 
AND AS A SITE FOR THE 
DOMINION SANATORIUM 
FOR THE 
TREATMENT OF CONSUMPTION 
1895 
Calgary Herald Print, 
Calgary, Alta. CALGARY, ALBERTA, 
AS A 
HOME FOR CONSUMPTIVES 
Its Advantages Unrivalled by any other Resort 
on the Continent. 
CALGARY EQUAL TO DENVER. 
Montreal Gazette, February 9, 1895: 
Within the past few months a 
movement has been inaugurated in 
Toronto which cannot fail to prove of 
the most vital interest, not only to the 
citizens of the Queen’s City itself, but 
to the whole of the Dominion. Mr. 
W. J. Gage, a prominent Toronto 
publisher, has been long interested in 
the subject of consumption and 
whether it was or was not a curable 
disease. Last year, j'ust before starting 
-on a trip to Europe, he wrote the 
Toronto Council offering, if the city 
would provide a suitable site for a 
Home for Consumptives, he would 
contribute $25,000 towards the erection 
and maintenance of suitable buildings. 
A committee of Aldermen were 
appointed to consider and report on 
the matter, and while they were 
deliberating Mr. Gage went to 
Europe. While there he visited the 
famous Consumptive homes in Great 
Britain and Germany, and returned 
more fully impressed than ever that 
he was in the right course. The 
Council of the Queen City of 1895 took 
up the question which had beep, left 
over from 1894, and a second Com- 2 
inittee, embracing in its numbers some 
of the best blood in the municipal 
body, was struck to go fully into 
details and arrange for the 
proper carrying out of Mr. Gage’s 
scheme. This is the history of the 
HOME FOR CONSUMPTIVES 
movement in Canada to date, but 
further developments of the interest- 
ing department may be expected. 
Mr. W. J. Gage, whose faith in the 
theory that consumption is curable 
has practically established an institu- 
tion with that view7 in Toronto, is at 
present in Montreal staying at the 
Windsor. He was interviewed yester- 
day by the Gazette on the subject 
and showed a knowledge of the subject 
and a depth of sympathy with the 
unfortunate victim of the dreadful 
scourge not often met with. 
“ I am greatly interested in the 
subject,” said Mr. Gage, “and am glad 
to know that there is a prospect in the 
very near future of seeing a model 
institution erected in Toronto devoted 
exclusively to the care and treatment 
of consumptives.’ 
“ Why do you think such an institu- 
tion necessary.” 
“It is now7 generally admitted by 
our best medical men that consumption 
is contagious and in its early stages 
curable. Therefore those afflicted 
with consumption should be separated 
as far as possible and every effort 
made to give them proper treatment. 
It is to this end that we are desirous 
of securing the erection of a 
home w'here patients will have 
every chance of recovery. We 
hope in Toronto to shortly have an in- 
stitution were the conditions necessary 
TO ACHIEVE SUCH RESULTS 
will exist. A southern aspect and a 
site perfectly sheltered from easterly 
and westerly winds and with all the 
sunlight possible .are absolutely nec- 
essary. These conditions coupled 
with diet suitable to their ailment give 
the consumptive patient the best 
chance to become a sound man. 
“While here I have interviewed Miv 
D. McNicoll, general passenger agent 
of the Canadian Pacific railway, in 
connection with this matter. Hun- 
dreds of our young men leave each 
year for Denver to regain health and 
strength there when in our great North 
west the same climatic influences 
rule which make Denver so valuable 
to the consumptive. Calgary, Kam- 
loops and other districts are equally as 
good as Denver to cure the dread 
disease. Therefore, it has occurred to 
me that these young men might be 
retained in our own country instead 
of going to Denver. It would he a 
capital arrangement to have 
a home for consumptives in 
Calgary. Mr. McNicholl heartily 
APPROVED OF THE IDEA 
and pledged himself that the C. P. R. 
would remove any difficulty in the 
transportation to patients.” 
“How will these institutions be 
supported?” 
“Our province gives a certain allow- 
ance to patients in the General 
Hospital of 30 or 40 cents a day and 
the City of Toronto a similar amount. 
A Home or Hospital for Consumptives 
is exactlv on the same basis and should 
receive the same degree of support.” 
“ Howr about the proposed Calgary 
institution ? ” 
“ I hope if the attention of the 
Government is called to the matter 
they will support the institution liber- 
ally. They spend annually a large 
sum to stamp out tuberculosis in 
cattle, and why should theynot spend 
something to prevent the spread of a 
similar disease among citizens of the 
Dominion. Then each province should 
contribute so much per patient coming 
from its boundaries. These two items, 
coupled with public subscription,should 
make the home prosperous. Touching 
THE POSITION OF MEDICAL MEN 
in the matter, I may say that such 3 
men as Dr. Graham, Dr. Temple, Dr. 
Cameron and other leading Toronto 
medical men endorsed the idea and ad- 
dressed the City council in its favour. 
The press of Toronto is unanimous in 
its favour, and one paper went so far 
as to state that a hospital for consump- 
tives was as badly needed as an 
isolation hospital for diphtheria, 
and since the new regulations have 
gone into force in New York city for 
the inspection of consumptive cases 
and the disinfecting of thesurroundings 
the death rate has fallen from 5,(XX) in 
1893 to 4,000 in 1894.” 
grave, would be saved if they had the- 
advantages of being treated in an 
institution specially conducted for 
their benefit at Calgary, and that then- 
lives would in ill probability be pro- 
longed for many years by a continued 
residence in Alberta; — we therefore 
highly commend the prompt action 
of His Lordship Bishop Pinkham, 
Mayor Orr, the medical profession, 
and the press, in moving in concert 
with Mr. Gage in this matter; and 
suggest that this Council urge upon 
these gentlemen a continuance of their 
efforts on behalf of so laudable an 
undertaking, asking them for sugges- 
tions as to the steps the Council 
should adopt in the premises, and 
pledging ourselves to assist the 
movement by every legitimate and 
proper means in our power; and that- 
copies of this resolution be printed 
and forwarded to interested parties. 
Wesley F. Orr, 
Mayor, 
J. D. Geddes, 
Clerk. 
CALGARY’S ADVANTAGES. 
Resolution Passed by the City Board 
of Aldermen. 
The following resolution was passed 
by the Calgary City Council, February 
mh, 1895: 
Moved by Aid. Ramsay, seconded 
by Aid. Underwood, and resolved: 
That in view of the action taken by 
W. J. Gage, Esq., of Toronto, and 
other gentlemen now interesting 
themselves in the establishment at 
Calgary of an Hospital for the treat 
inent of Consumptives, and being 
convinced by the knowledge of the 
fact that very many consumptives 
have been restored to health without 
special treatment through coming to 
Calgary to reside; that the air, the 
water, sunshine, and general condi- 
tions of Calgary are equal, if not 
superior to those at Denver, or any 
other place in America for benefrtting 
people troubled with weak lungs or 
asthma; and believing that the lives 
of many.otherwise doomed to an early 
FROM THEIR EXCELLENCIES 
A Letter from the Earl and Countess 
of Aberdeen 
To His Worship the Mayor OB' 
Calgary. 
Dear Mr. Mayor: The Governor- 
General desires me to acknowledge 
with thanks the receipt of your letter 
of the 18th, and to say that he heartily 
appreciates the courteous terms of 
this communication, and recognizes- 
the great interest and advantage of 
the scheme to which it refers, which 
is further set forth in the resolution 
dated Feb, 20. r of which you enclose a 4 
copy. His Excellency will take an 
•opportunity of forwarding a copy of 
your letter and also of the resolution 
to the Dominion Govt., in case this 
has not already been done, as it may 
be of interest to them to know of the 
project. With the assurance of hearty 
good wishes from both their 
Excellencies, I remain, 
Yours faithfully, 
W. T. S. Hewett, 
Private Secretary. 
and counties have a larger death rate 
from consumption than the inland 
and more elevated places and it is 
apparent that the situation of such a 
Home must be chosen with a view to 
the very best location from a climatic 
and geological standpoint.” Th« 
report was adopted with instructions 
to have it forwarded to the proper 
authorities for consideration. 
The matter is now being actively 
agitated and gentlemen able and 
willing to assist the scheme by liberal 
financial aid are interesting them- 
selves in procuring information to 
enable them to make a selection of a 
suitable site for the location of such a 
Home. 
We believe we possess in Central 
Alberta and in the immediate vicinity 
of Calgary, a larger proportion of the 
favourable conditions demanded for 
the suitable location of such a Home, 
than any other place in the Dominion. 
Calgary is a beautifully situated 
city of between three and four 
thousand inhabitants, located within 
sight of the foothills and the gloriouK 
Rockies, which line the horizon to the 
south and west as far as the eye can 
reach, with their snow white crests 
and glistening summits, ever present- 
ing one of the most glorious and 
magnificent views on this continent. 
It occupies a saucer-like basin 
between two great mountain streams: 
the Bow and Elbow, conveying great, 
volumes of pure, cold water, which 
even in the hottest day in summer is 
refreshingly cold and whose currents 
flow with such rapidity the year 
round, as to prevent the polution of 
their waters, by the deposit of 
material injurious to health in their 
channels or beds. These rivers con- 
verge and join at the eastern limit of 
the city in one stream, which flows 
eastward to join the great Sas- 
katchewan. 
It is surrounded on every side, with 
the exception of a few small gaps, by 
(Government House, Ottawa,' 
March 25th, 1895. 
MEDICAL MEN REPORT. 
Lotter from Calgary, Banff and High 
River Practitioners. 
At the last annual meeting of the 
Provincial Board of Health of Ontario, 
held in February of this year, Dr. 
Bryce, Sec. of the Board, reported as 
follows: “That consumption and 
tuberculosis in its various forms, had 
attained such proportions in Canada 
that the time has arrived when a home 
or sanitarium for its treatment and 
cure is urgently demanded, and that 
such provision could only be realized 
by Government action, that it might 
he partially maintained by agricul- 
tural and other industries carried on 
by the patients in connection with it, 
and also by patients of the better 
class who were able to pay, and 
further that proposals had been made 
to establish a Hospital for Con- 
sumptives at Toronto, but how- 
ever valuable such an institution 
might be, it cannot fulfill 
the conditions which most recommend 
themselves to your Committee, as it is 
well known the lakeside cities, towns, 5 
an elevation or bench, several hundied 
feet high, which admirably protects it. 
The soil in the city limits is mostly a 
sandy loam with a gravelly sub-soil, 
at some points the gravel is on the 
surface. 
The city is lighted by electric light 
and derives its water supply, which is 
everything that could be desired, 
from the Bow River by a system of 
waterworks. There is a good 
system of sewerage in operation 
in the city, the plans being 
furnished by a highly qualified and 
experienced Engineer, residing in 
Toronto. 
We have an unlimited supply of 
most beautiful and suitable sandstone 
for building purposes, within a mile of 
the city, the bench surrounding the 
city being practically one continuous 
bed of it, of which all the public build- 
ings and principal business houses, as 
well as many of the private residences 
are built, presenting a very solid and 
substantial appearance. 
The various lines of business are 
well represented, so that people com- 
ing here in search of health, or homes, 
need not want for either the necessar- 
ies or luxuries of life, if they are able 
to purchase them. You frequently 
hear new comeis remark, you can 
shop as well here as in most of the 
eastern cities. 
It is well supplied with churches; 
the various Protestant as well as the 
Roman Catholic denomination being 
represented, and it possesses a free 
system of schools, both public and 
high, where pupils can be prepared 
for entering the university. 
It has two substantial and well 
equipped hospitals, a Protestant and a 
Roman Catholic, and a very fine Opera 
House furnished with all the appli- 
ances required by the modern stage, 
and being on “the main line of railway 
we have the frequent opportunity of 
hearing many of the best travelling 
troups on their continental tours as 
well as lectures and entertainments of 
various Ikinds, from distinguished, 
persons nnd companies passing en 
route. 
The residents of Calgary and vicin- 
ity are of a superior class, many of 
them being hignly cultured, intel- 
lectual people, and parties coming 
here to find health, can also find 
homes and enjoy all the advantages of 
good society. 
It is the most important point in. 
the North West Territories*, being on 
the main line of the Canadian Pacific- 
Railway, and its proximity to the 
mountains precludes the possibility of 
any rival springing up. There is a 
branch line running north two 
hundred miles to Edmonton, a pros- 
perous agricultural district, and a 
branch running south one hundred 
miles to McLeod, passing through the- 
ranching district, where thousands 
upon thousands of cattle and horses 
are running free on the prairie- winter 
and summer. 
The city is supplied with abundance- 
of cheap coal for fuel from several 
mines in operation in the near 
vicinity. 
The Calgary District is essentially 
adapted for stockraising, and is 
acknowledged to be one of the finest 
countries for dairying in the world,, 
and there is practically an unlimited 
field for this enterprise, and capital 
and experience are fast taking 
advantage of the opportunity 
presented in this industry. The rich, 
and succulent grasses of Alberta 
produce the finest butter and beef in 
the world. The grass cures itself, and 
fat stock can be found on the ranges 
all winter. This industry of stock 
raising and dairying offers good 
returns to those who engage in it 
properly and look after it. 
The soil surrounding Calgary is very 
fertile, and only requires a system of 
irrigation to supply the requisite- 6 
moisture to make it product every- 
thing in abundance. A large 'number 
of the smaller farmers, located on 
streams, have put in private ditches* 
with good results, and capital is now 
being enlisted, to carry out an 
extensive scheme of irrigation, which, 
when completed, will open up 
thousands of acres of the most fertile 
and magnificent land in the world, 
which will offer homes to those who 
come to us to find health, and who 
will not be compelled to leave the 
country where they have recovered 
the greatest blessing known to man— 
good health. And, if a tract of land 
was selected for the home which could 
be irrigated, Dr. Bryce’s suggestion 
could be followed—that agricultural 
pursuits could be carried on very 
advantageously and contribute largely 
to the support of the institution. 
The country surrounding Calgary is 
very suitable for outdoor exercise and 
sports. The prairies are traversed by 
splendid roads in every direction, suit- 
able for wheeled vehicles of every 
kind, and there is no limit but an 
occasional fence to bar the path of the 
the rider on horseback for miles. 
Good riding and driving horses can be 
purchased for a nominal price, riding 
ponies from fifteen to thirty dollars 
and good drivers from fifty to sixty 
dollars, and for nine months in the 
year their keep practically costs noth- 
ing, as they can run on the prairie and 
graze their food. There are many at- 
tractions and interesting drives in 
every direction for miles. The prairie 
is traversed by a number of small 
mountain sti earns, with gravel and 
pebbly bottoms, and banks easily ap- 
proached and containing pure, cold 
and refreshing water. The reputation 
of Calgary and surrounding district as 
an attractive field for the sportsman 
has spread afar and is well established, 
our streams large and small contain 
unlimited quantities of fish of various 
kinds, the ever sprightly trout always 
on the alert for the angler’s bait, and 
during the season the chicken and. 
duck shooting is very good. 
The place that can offer so many 
social and desirable privileges, as well 
as openings for permanent homes eas- 
ily procured in the city and country 
surrounding—together with the clim- 
atic advantages hereinafter very fully 
set out, ought to receive the most 
earnest support of those interested in 
this very laudable scheme, and to 
whom are entrusted the selection of 
the location for a consumptive home. 
Thus far we have been dealing with 
the social and practical advantages 
which Calgary has to offer. 
We will now proceed to place before 
you the all important and vital aspect 
of the situation, viz : the climatic and 
healthful advantages which justify us 
laying claim to Calgary being the 
best location from a remedial and 
sanitary point of view in the Dominion 
and in doing so we shall set out under 
short headings the points we wish to 
impress on you, and shall afterwards 
enlarge on them in the order in which 
they are mentioned. 
(1) We are not liable to any endemic 
(local) diseases 
(2) We are free from malaria in any 
degree. 
(3) The altitude is between 3,000 
and 4.000 feet above sea level, which is 
admitted to be, by the highest author- 
ities, the most desirable elevation to 
secure. 
(4) The extreme dryness of the 
atmosphere, which is one of the most, 
essential conditions demanded. 
(5) The very light rainfall in the 
district which is usually confined to 
the latter part of April and the months 
of May and June. 
(0) The unparalleled amount of 
sunshine we enjoy. 7 
(7) The powerful aceptic influence 
■of the atmosphere. 
(8) The short winters. 
(9) The bracing and stimulating- 
character of the air, which seems to 
infuse fresh energy into the individual. 
(10) The general character of the 
weather, winter and summer, being 
such as to admit of a great portion of 
the time being spent in the open air. 
We will now proceed to enlarge at 
greater length and specially 
emphasize the point which we 
consider of the greater Importance. 
No local diseases—-We are not 
subject or liable to any endemic or 
■local diseases. There are very few 
localities that can boast of such 
immunity, even the dreaded typhoid, 
which is so prevalent in many western 
•districts; is a comparative stranger to 
us, a case being a rarity. 
No Malaria—The entire absence of 
malaria is another very strong point 
in favour of this district, the import- 
ance of which cannot be too highly 
estimated, as the presence of this 
poison exerts a very injurious and 
depressing influence on other diseases, 
The altitude most to be desired—The 
altitude is between three thousand 
four hundred and four thousand feet 
above sea level. This elevation is 
admitted by the highest author ities to 
be the most desirable to attain, and is 
the one best adapted to afford relief to 
consumptives in the various stages of 
the disease. We are in latitude 57° 
and longtidude 111° west of Greenwich. 
The dryness of the air— 
The atmosphere is extremely dry, 
one of the most essential conditions 
demanded for such a location, a fog is 
practically unknown. We have no 
large bodies of still water, swamps, or 
sloughs, to evaporate and affect the 
■dryness of the air. The character of 
the soil is such that any rainfall we 
have penetrates it very rapidly, dis- 
appearing in a few hours and leaving 
no surface water or saturated surface 
soil to evaporate into the air to 
affect its rarity. In further illustra- 
tion of the dryness of the air, the 
snow that falls in the winter time is 
very light and dry, and each fall 
remains but a short time. It rai'ely 
packs, and a fall of several inches will 
disappear in a few hours with a 
cliinook wind, leaving the ground as 
dry as if had not fallen. 
Slight rail fall—The rainfall is very 
light. It is exceptional to have any 
rainfall between the middle of Sep- 
tember and the middle of April. The 
rainfall occurs in showers in the 
latter part of April and in the months 
of May and June, and an occasional 
shower during the balance of the 
summer. 
Great amount of sunshine—Calgary 
is remarkable for the unparalleled 
amount of bright sunshine it enjoys 
summer and winter, It is a rare and 
exceptional thing to have a day be- 
tween the first of April and the end of 
December without warm, bright sun- 
shine during the greater portion of the 
day, and as a rule throughout the 
whole day, and during our winter 
season which is short and will be re- 
ferred to have particularly hereafter, 
a large portion of the days are bri ght 
and unshiny for a longer or shorter 
period. The long twilights we are 
favoured with in summer are a very 
delightful and enjoyable feature of 
our climate, giving us a much longer 
period of sunshine in the day. These 
lialmy twilights are a very important 
characteristic of our climate when 
viewed in connection with the require- 
ments of consumptives, that they 
should have the privileges of enjoying 
as much of the open air as possible. 
The scientific estimate of the amount 
of sunshine we enjoy is very high 
being 90 per cent. 8 
here. They are invigorated, they 
regain their appetite, their digestion 
improves, they increase in weight,, 
they secure good sound sleep, their 
nervous system becomes strengthened 
and in fact the whole system seems to 
respond to the invigorating influence 
of the atmosphere. This favourable 
influence is not confined to cases of 
functional disorder, hut is also marked 
in cases of organic disease, if not too 
far advanced they recover fresh 
vigour and a truce or respite is 
established in their disease, their 
general health is much improved, and 
while in time their disease may 
progress, they enjoy much relief and 
their life is greatly prolonged. 
Salubrious character of the climate 
generally—The climate and weather 
is of such a character both winter and 
summer as will admit of patients 
spending by far the greater portion of 
their time in the open air. I have 
already referred to the winter weather,. 
I will now draw your attention to the 
summer weather. It is simply de- 
lightful, and we do not believe it can 
be surpassed in the world in its bright- 
ness, clearness and wonderful sun- 
shine, with its long days and bewitch- 
ing twilights ; the weather is rarely 
too hot to enjoy outdoor exercise, and 
then only on an occasional day in the 
middle of summer. The morning and 
evenings are are fresh and stimulating 
and always cool enough to enjoy 
refreshing sleep, and for those suffer- 
ing from consumption, if they are to 
receive the great benefit which favour- 
able climatic conditions ofi'er them, 
it is beyond question that the location 
that offers them the opportunity to- 
enjoy the open air in such a climate 
to the greatest extent is the one that 
is bound to produce the best results, 
and while there is no climate perfectly 
satisfactory, we hope we have demon- 
strated to you that Calgary possesses 
a greater proportion of the favourable 
conditions—climatic and otherwise 
Aseptic character of the atmosphere 
—The atmosphere is powerfully 
aseptic which exerts a most un- 
favourable influence on the growth of 
micro-organisms, putrefactive changes 
take place slowly and many authen- 
ticated cases are known where meats 
and skins have cured themselves in 
the open air. This influence of the 
atmosphere is of great importance in 
view of the fact that consumption is 
due to a micro-organism, and our 
atmosphere is bound to exert a 
powerful beneficial influence on the 
course of the disease. 
Character of our winter—The 
winters are very short, lasting about 
two or three months. The snow fall 
is very light, remaining but a short 
period on the ground at a time, and 
sleighing can rarely he indulged in, on 
account of its lightness and dryness. 
We usually have during the months of 
January and February and occasion- 
allv in March a number of cold stormy 
days, but we never nave severe 
weather for any length of time, and 
with the exception of a very few of 
our coldest and stormiest days patients 
if properly clad, can enjoy outdoor 
exercise all winter. The rule is during 
the winter to have bright sunshiny 
weather, and it is an exceptional day 
that the sun does not shine during 
some portion of it. 
Stimulating and bracing character 
of the atmosphere—The atmosphere is 
remarkable for its stimulating and 
bracing character, it produces a 
buoyancy and elasticity apparently 
supplying fresh energy to the 
individual. It is a fact borne out by 
experience and observation by both 
professional and laymen that in a 
large majority of cases of persons 
coming here suffering from functional 
and remediable troubles, such as 
dyspepsia, nervous prostration, or 
sleeplessness brought about by various 
depressing causes, they are in a short 
time much improved by a residence 9 
than any other place in the Dominion 
for the location of such an institution. 
We will now offer you ourexperience, 
as professional men, acquired from the 
supervision and treatment of cases 
that have come under our notice dur- 
ing the past ten or twelve years. 
Each and all of us have had cases 
under our charge, suffering from con- 
sumption in its various stages, and we 
are entitled to speak with authority. 
All cases of consumption have not 
and will not be equally benefited by a 
change of residence to this district, as 
many of them suffer from other or- 
ganic diseases, which increase the 
severity of their condition and operate 
against their recovery, but our exper- 
ience has been that those cases of 
weak lungs that have come to us in 
the initial stages, and I will use a 
borrowed term from a celebrated 
writer, viz; Candidates for consumpt- 
ion, who have had a bad family 
history, or been subjected to severe 
depressing influences and who would 
very likely develope the symptoms at 
an early date, if not complicated with 
any other serious condition will, after 
a short residence here, show signs of 
improvement in their general health 
and strength aud will progress favour- 
ably and continue to improve in every 
way until a higher standard of health 
is attained than before enjoyed and 
will throw off and apparently 
outgrow their weakness and 
tendency to fall into a tuberculous 
condition. Further, as to cases more 
advanced, when the symptoms have 
already declared themselves, but not 
severely, and when the general health 
is not seriously impaired, after a 
short residence here their symptoms 
moderate, their health improves in 
every way and they increase in weight. 
We have many such crises in our midst 
today, apparently a truce or respite in 
their disease has become establish- 
ed. and we have no doubt many of such 
cases will recover and become cured, 
as many have to our knowledge in the 
past; while others will live and enjoy 
a happier life elsewhere. 
As to those coming here in an 
advanced stage of the disease, when 
the local and general symptons are in 
full activity, and there are many such 
in our district at the present time, and 
while we cannot express a favourable 
opinion of them, many have been 
much relieved by the change, losing 
for a time some of their most distress- 
ing symptoms, and enjoying more 
comfort and better health, and while 
they cannot expect to be cured, life 
has been greatly prolonged by their 
removal. 
Our experience has also been 
favourable as to the influence of our 
climate on bronchial complaints, 
many marked cases of chronic 
bronchitis having been cured and 
more greatly relieved by the change. 
We can speak equally strongly of 
asthmatic patients. We have several 
noticeable cases here of persons 
compelled to leave their homes else- 
where, who since coming here have 
enjoyed perfect freedom from this 
disease. 
We are pleased to embody in the 
report letters from patients who are 
now resident here, and who are glad 
to place on record the benefits they 
have derived from the change and 
while some of them are sensitive about 
having their names made public, we 
will guarantee that every letter is 
genuine and will furnish proof of its 
authenticity if called on to do so : 
N. J. Lindsay, M.D.; E. H. Rouleau, 
M.D.; R. D. Sanson, M.D.; H. G. Mac- 
kid, M.B., M.D.C.M., L.R.C., P.S.L., 
F.R.P. & S.; A. E. Wills, M.D.; R. G. 
Brett, M.D.; J. D. Lafferty, M.D.; A.E. 
Porter, M.D.; G. Macdonald, M.D.; 
Geo. Arthur Ings, L.R.C.S.T.P. & D. 10 
To the Mayor and Aldermen, 
Calgary: 
Gentlemen : At a special meeting 
of the medical men and committees 
from the Calgary City Council and 
Calgary Board of Trade held on Mon- 
day, May 5th, the following resolution 
was carried unanimously : 
Moved by Jas. Bannerman, Esq., 
and seconded by P. McCarthy, Q. C., 
that the report of the medical men of 
Calgary and vicinity as compiled and 
l ead by Dr. LaiTerty, be adopted and 
the City Council be asked to have two 
thousand copies printed and distribut- 
ed in the east. 
I enclose herewith the report referred 
to and trust your honourable body will 
give it your early and favourable 
consideration. 
Very truly, 
I. S. G. Van Wart, 
Secretary. 
Calgary, May 7, 1893. 11 
SOME PRACTICAL LETTERS 
original illness three years ago; and I 
am thankful to say I am now able to 
resume my work in this country as a 
clergyman of the Church of England. 
Calgary, April 13, 1895. 
From a Few of the Many Who Came 
to Regain Health in Alberta’s 
Sunny Clime. 
The following important letter is 
from a clergymen of the Church of 
England resident in the Calgary 
district: 
1. S. G. Van Wart, Secretary 
Board op Trade, Calgary, 
Alberta. 
Sir: I have been requested to state 
my personal experience as to the 
beneficial effects of the climate of 
Southern Alberta as regards the 
lungs. I have suffered for now nearly 
three years from tuberculosis in the 
right lung—the result of a severe 
attack of pneumonia in London, 
England, in June 1892. During this 
period I have spent winters first in St. 
Noritz, Switzerland; then in Colorado, 
Denver and Colorado Springs, where 
I spent a part of a year, and now 
lastly in Calgary, where I have been 
for the last seven and a half months. 
I am not one of those who are 
enamoured of the Colorado climate— 
it was too relaxing for me. I consulted 
Dr. Rogers, a Canadian doctor in 
Denver, as to the climate of Alberta 
and he said I might, in my condition 
of lung, certainly come to Calgary 
with advantage. But after consulting 
Jiim I had a severe attack of pleurisy 
in Estes Park, Colorado, in August 
last year, and the doctor who then 
attended me (Dr. Ruedi, late of Davos, 
Switzerland) strongly urged me not to 
come to Calgary. However, I came in 
spite of his advice, as soon as I was 
able to travel after the pleurisy, and 
have made a steady progress in health 
•ever since I arrived here. I have 
increased 18 lbs. in weight, my cough 
is less—much less, my appetite is much 
improved, and I feel more energy 
than I can remember since my 
R. D. Sanson, Esq,, M. D. City. 
My Dear Sir : At your request 1 
have much pleasure in giving a brief 
history of my wife’s illness and subse- 
quent recovery upon her removal to 
this climate. Her sister died of con- 
sumption some few years ago and in 
the summer of 1892 my wife showed 
symptoms of the same disease in its 
incipient stage. She had always been 
extremely delicate, in fact, more so 
than her late sister. Everything was 
done for her that money could procure 
and at last the specialist who treated 
her gave the case up as absolutely 
hopeless and advised a climatic change 
as a a last resort. He suggested Red 
Deer, Alberta. When leaving Ontario 
she was in a very critical condition, 
had lost flesh and was troubled with a 
constant cough and the disease could 
fairly be considered in its second stage. 
Red Deer, although but a short dis- 
tance from Calgary, aggravated the 
case, owing, I believe, to excessive 
moisture in the atmosphere, being 
within the rain belt of Alberta. She 
was then removed to the vicinity of 
Calgary. The result was marvellous 
indeed. She gained somewhere about 
thirty pounds in a few months, 
her cough disappeared and in a short 
time she was to all practical purposes 
cured and had never enjoyed better 
health. Her rapid improvement, how- 
ever, may to some degree be attributed 
to horseback riding; but undoubtedly 
the climate was the main factor. 
P. 
The reader is respectfully referred to 
Dr. R. D. Sanson, Calgary, for facts of 
this letter. A CALGARY STREET SCENE.*Hospital Sunday Parade. 12 
I. S. G. Van Wart, Sec. Calgary 
Board of Trade: 
Sir: Dr. Brown, of Neustadt, Grey 
Co., Ont., a graduate of Berlin, Ger., 
advised me to come to Calgary for the 
benefit of my lungs, telling me I could 
not live long if I remained in Ontario. 
This was over ten years ago, and not 
only am I .alive but I weigh heavier 
today than ever before in my life. 
Mary Flemming Jacques. 
Calgary, April 18th, 1895. 
I consider the air of Calgary and 
district to he particularly healthy and 
can truthfully say for any person 
suffering from affections of the lungs 
and chest that the district cannot he 
too strongly recommended. I feel 
confident that relief, if not a cure, 
would be found here by anyone afflict- 
ed in a like manner to myself. 
I am happy and pleased to testify 
that since my arrival here my health 
has been improving and I am rapidly 
approaching toward recovery. 
I am respectfully yours, 
John Cushing. 
Calgary, May 10th, 1895. 
[. S. G. Vaxwart, Secretary of 
the Calgary Board of Trade : 
Dear Sir: In reply to your enquiry 
as to whether I have been benefitted 
in health since I came to Calgary I 
am pleased to state that I have been 
greatly so. When I left Chatham, 
Ont., on the 1st June, 1393, and came 
to Calgary I was in a very weak con- 
dition from hemmorhage of the lungs, 
and I understand that the doctor (W. 
R. Hall, M. D., Chatham) had very 
little hopes that a change of climate 
would do me any good lmt advised me 
to try Calgary, and the result has 
been wonderful, as I ajn now enjoying 
very good health and feel almost as 
strong as I ever did. I strongly re- 
commend any one suffering from 
lung troubles to try Calgary. 
W. C. Milner. 
Calgary, April 10th, 1895. 
W. F. Orr, Mayor op the City op 
Calgary : 
Dear Sir : In reference to the pro- 
posed institution for the treatment of 
incipient consumption I beg to state a 
few facts as to my experience of the 
climate of Calgary and surrounding 
country. I was a resident of the City 
of Hamilton for live years before 
coming here. While living at Hamil- 
ton I suffered from weak lungs and 
general debility, growing worse till 
March, 1890, when I came to Cal- 
gary in search of health. At Hamil- 
ton I was under treatment of Dr. 
Dillibaugh who advised me to 
go somewhere from Ontario, as 
he thought I would go into con- 
sumption if I remained at Hamilton. 
My family have been subject to con- 
sumption, many of my relatives hav- 
ing died of that disease. When I left 
Hamilton I weighed only 130 pounds, 
though I am over six feet in height. 
I now weigh 175 pounds and have no 
cough nor have I suffered from cough 
since I came here. About two years 
after I came here I went hack to 
Hamilton and took my old position in 
the Canada Screw Works in 
that city, hut after being there 
a very short time I found that 
W. F. Orr, Esq., Mayor of Calgary: 
Sir : Since 1884 whilst residing in 
Ontario I suffered acutely from a very 
severe affection of the chest and lungs 
and for years I received advice from 
the best medical men there without 
being any nearer recovery, when in 
the fall of 1891 I was strongly advised 
by Dr. Hewitt, of Guelph, Ont., to go 
to the North West as the only means 
of recovering my former good health. 
I accordingly came to Calgary, Alta., 
and soon found relief. 13 
my old complaint was fast taking 
hold of me, so I came west again and 
at once regained my health, which has 
continued good ever since. My child 
was very poorly in Hamilton, but now 
has perfect health, though only 15 
years of age, she rides a great deal on 
horse back. In the month of January 
she rode on horse back from Olds to 
Haven River, over 80 miles, without 
any inconvenience or bad effect. 
When residing in Hamilton we fully 
believed she was going into con- 
sumption and had no hopes of saving 
her life. I would say further that 
since living in Alberta I have led a 
life of hardships, camping out in the 
most severe weather that we have, 
walking long journeys. I made one 
trip of 35 miles on foot, camping every 
night in midwinter, without any bad 
results, in fact I have steadily grown 
stronger and healthier all the time 
that I have resided here. 
Harry C. Hoffman. 
Calgary, May 25, 1895. 
when some one in the house was not 
ailing. Since coming to this country 
I am thankful to say that in the four 
years I have not been called on to pay 
one single dollar for a doctor, and 
neither my wife, children or myself 
have been troubled by the least ap- 
pearance of ill health of any descrip- 
tion. I am not good at theorizing but 
here are a few plain facts which speak 
for themselves. I remain, dear Sir, 
Yours respectfully, 
W. J. Doherty. 
Calgary, Alta., May 11th, ’95. 
I. S. G. Van Wart, Esq., Secretary 
Board of Trade, Calgary: 
Dear Sir : I have been asked to 
relate my experience in connection 
with the climate of Southern Alberta 
as compared with Colorado, to which 
request I cheerfully comply. 
In April, 1S81 I contracted a severe 
cold in Prince Edward County, Ont.» 
resulting in hemmorhage of the lungs, 
and in consequence of which my 
physician, Dr. Wright, of Pieton, Ont., 
advised me to try either the North 
West Territories or Denver,Col. After 
considerable discussion I decided to 
cast my lot with Denver, to which 
place I removed in March, 1885. 
On arriving there I experienced some 
inconvenience in my breathing owing 
to the altitude—5200 feet—and for 
some months atter I did not receive 
the benefit I had hoped for. I became 
considerably discouraged owing to 
another slight attract of hemmorhage. 
I remained there, however, for two 
years and was greatly benefitted; 
enough so that I foolishly returned to 
Ontario, hoping that I might be able 
to remain there. But, on the other 
hand, what benefitted me acted the 
very reverse with my wife. She found 
she could not remain owing to dizzi- 
ness, caused by the great altitude, so 
said the late Dr. Evans, with whom she 
advised, and was compelled to return to 
I. S. G. Van Wart, Secretary 
Board of Trade, Calgary: 
Dear Sir: I see you are collecting 
information having reference to Cal- 
gary as a site for proposed Dominion 
Sanitarium. It may be interesting to 
give you my experience of the climate 
here and its effects on lung and chest 
complaints. 
I came here in May ’91 from Belfast, 
Ireland, my family consisting of four 
children, the eldest being a girl six 
years old. 
Previous to coming here we had 
been troubled to a great extent by 
lung and chest diseases, both myself, 
wife and family. In fact I often 
thought that we had a strong taint of 
consumption in the family (I had a 
brother who died in consumption). 
My children were continually having 
colds, coughs, croup and bronchitis, 
and I cannot remember at any time 14 
Ontario several months before my 
return. Afte* I returned to Ontario 
in 1887 I found I was gradually 
drifting back to my old standard of 
health, and again consulted my 
physician, and also D. D. M. Fraser, 
of Stratford, Ontario, as to my best 
course to pursue. Dr. Fraser was 
doubtful if the North West Territories 
would he as beneficial as Denver, but 
I decided to act on the advice of my 
first adviser, Dr. Wright, and come to 
Calgary hoping the medium in 
elevation might be found that would 
agree with Mrs. Burley as well as 
myself (Calgary being 3,200 feet as 
compared with Denver 5,200 feet). I 
have now been here since November 
1891, and to my great surprise Calgary 
has agreed with me* even better than 
Denver. I have not been sick one day 
in consequence of lung trouble, and 
have had no symptoms of my old 
trouble since coming here. My wife 
is much better than in Colorado and 
has had no return of the complaint 
she was affected with there. 
"NVe are so much pleased with the 
results that we have decided to make 
Calgary our permanent home.' 
Yours very truly, 
E. W. Burley. 
Calgary, May 3, 1895. 
place; he told me that it was necessary 
for me to go and take her to some 
high and dry climate. I chose Cal- 
gary in preference to Denver, Col. 
She had hemmorliage four 
times before she came here and once 
immediately after we arrived, but 
never since, and today she is better 
than she had been for three years 
before we came here. 
James Winn. 
Calgary, May 2, 1895. 
I.S. G. Van Wakt, Secretary Board 
of Trade, Calgary : 
Dear Sir : Previous to rnv corning 
to Calgary eight months ago I had 
been living at Sault St. Marie, Mich., 
for six years. Four years ago I had 
an attack of la gr ippe which left me 
in a very weak condition, my lungs 
particularly being affected. I kept 
getting weaker until I could scarcely 
walk. Having heard of the healthful 
climate of Calgary I decided to try a 
change, as the only apparent hope for 
life. Immediately after arriving here 
I began to feel better and was soon 
able to go to work. I have not lost a 
day since the first of October last, and 
my cough has disappeared. I weigh 
twenty pounds more than when I 
arrived here. I feel that by coming to 
Calgary I have taken a new lease of 
life, I have purchased a home in the 
city and intend to remain here. 
Yours faithfully, 
Thob. Martin. 
Calgary, May 10th, 1805. 
I. S. G. Van Wart, Secretary of 
the Board of Trade : 
Dear Sir ; In reference to your en- 
quiries about effect of the climate of 
Calgary on my wife’s health I would 
say when living in Ontario five years 
ago Dr. Shaw, of Orillia told me that 
my wife was suffering from lung 
trouble and that in his opinion she 
could not live six months. I then 
went to Dr. McLean, of the same 15 
W. F. Orr, Esq., Mayor: 
I was born and brought up in the 
County of Rimouski, Province of Que- 
bec. I am now forty-three years of 
age. Six years ago I had a violent 
hemorrhage from the lungs followed 
by a constant cough and loss of flesh, 
and my physician advised me that I 
was going into consumption and that 
I had better try the vicinity of the 
Rocky Mountains about Calgary, and 
that if I remained in Quebec I would 
die. I came West five years ago. I 
suffered from my cough for about a 
year after I came but had no more 
hemorrhage. I increased in weight, 
have worked very hard for the past 
four years, and today feel that I am a 
strong, vigorous man in good weight,, 
suffer from no cough and enjoy first 
rate health. 
D. McEwing, 
Calgary, May 21, 1895. 16 
NO TUBERCULOSIS 
Territories I beg to state that so far 
as my experience and investigation 
extends I may state that 1 have lieen 
a resident rancher since ’84 and have 
been during this period professionally 
engaged amongst the herds of this 
district and so far have never met 
with or jjeard of a single case of this 
disease. I am, sir, 
Yours obediently, 
A, E. Bannister, 
M. R. C. V. S., 
London. 
Calgary, June 27, 1895. 
’Letters on This Point From a Doctor 
and Two Veterinary Surgeons. 
W. F. Orr, Esquire, Mayor: 
Mr. the Mayor: Incompliance with 
your request I am pleased to say that, 
since I am in Calgary, I never heard 
of a case of tuberculosis among cattle 
or the bovine race, and I may add that 
I am positively certain that there is 
none, and that there never was any 
since eight years of my sojourn in the 
District of Alberta. It is the same 
thing amongst horses; a remarkable 
fact is, that there is no heaves or 
asthma in the last mentioned class of 
animals. 
Now, by having no tuberculosis in 
our cattle, the human race is a great 
deal less exposed to contamination. 
We all know that this disease is easily 
■ transmitted by the cow’s milk, even by 
eating the meat, and by attending to 
these animals. Then the people of 
Alberta are not subject to this disease. 
I remain, Mr. the Mayor, 
Respectfully yours, 
E. H. Rouleau, M. D. 
Calgary, June 1,1895. 
W. F. Ohr, Mayor of the City ok* 
Calgary: 
In accordance with your request as 
to the prevalence of tuberculosis 
amongst the domestic animals of this 
district I would state that in the prac- 
tice of my profession for over fourteen 
years in different parts of this dis- 
trict I have never seen or heard of an 
authentic case of “tuberculosis.” In 
addition I may state what is common- 
ly known in this country, that horses 
brought from Ontario suffering from 
asthma or heaves are invariably per- 
manently relieved of all distressing 
symptoms. 
R. Riddell, V. S. 
District Veterinarian under the 
Animals Contagious Disease 
Act. 
Calgary, May 29, ’95. 
W. F. Orr, Esq., Mayor : 
Dear Sir : In reply to ycrur enquiry 
as to the prevalence or existence of 
tuberculosis in cattle in the N. W. 17 
AN ENGINEER’S REPORT. 
The soil of the bottom is largely grav- 
el, covered in most places with a 
shallow depth of sandy loam, the sub- 
soil being coarse gravel. The botton 
or flat occupied by the city is surround- 
ed on all sides by the hills forming the 
slopes of the valleys of the streams 
above mentioned, these hills rising to 
an elevation above the bottom of from 
130 to 160 feet. Through the greater 
portion of their length, the slopes of 
the hills are easy, but in places they 
are broken by precipitous or “cut” 
banks, and at many points they afford 
well sheltered sites, in their broken 
contour, from the prevailing north and 
north-west winds, with the accom- 
panying unpleasant recurring dust 
storms during the summer months. 
The bench land extending easterly 
from the city is a high level plateau; 
to the south and south west the 
country is high and rolling, many of 
the higher hills in the immediate 
vicinity reaching an elevation of 
several hundred feet above the 
surrounding plateau. To the north, 
the bench land extends for a short 
distance in a high level plain, when 
the southerly slope of a high range of 
hills, known as “Nose Hill,” extending 
north and north west, is encountered. 
This hill reaches an elevation of 4,000 
feet above the sea, or 600 feet above 
Calgary. The whole country in the 
vicinity of the citv is devoid of trees 
or bush, with the exception of a 
narrow fringe of trees bordering the 
banks of the streams, and on the 
islands in the Bow River. The pro- 
bability is, however, that the con- 
struction of the irrigation ditches 
mentioned below will be followed by 
the growth of trees along these 
ditches and throughout the city where 
water is supplied. 
WATER SUPPLY. 
Both the Bow and the Elbow Rivers 
afford excellent water for domestic 
purposes, being fed from the melting 
A Report from J. S. Dennis, D. L. 5., 
Chief Inspector of Surveys 
The following is a report by J. S. 
Dennis, Esq., D. L. S., M. A., S. I. E.; 
etc., etc. 
W. F. Orr, Mayor op Calgary, 
Calgary, Alta.: 
Sir : I answer to your request, and 
in compliance with instructions to 
that effect received from the Deputy 
Minister of the Interior, I have the 
honour to submit for your informa- 
tion the following report upon the 
site occupied by the City of Calgary 
from the standpoint of the physical 
conditions affecting such site, and as 
shown by topographical and hydro- 
graphical surveys of the district at 
present being performed by the 
Dominion Government, under my 
charge. 
This report is, I understand, requir- 
ed for use in demonstrating the 
suitability of the city for the erection 
of a consumptives home or sanatorium, 
and will probably, therefore, be found 
advantageous to discuss the questions 
affecting such site, under the different 
headings of “ Situation and Topo- 
graphy of the Immediate District,” 
“Water Supply’’and “Facilities for 
Drainage.” 
SITUATION AND TOPOGRAPHY OF TIIE 
IMMEDIATE DISTRICT. 
The City of Calgary occupies a por- 
tion of an extensive and level bottom 
forming part of the Bow River valley 
at the point where the latter is joined 
by the Elbow River from the west. 
This bottom is situated at an elevation 
of 3,401 feet above the sea, and within 
the city limits has a gradual fall east, 
to the Elbow River, and north to the 
Bow River, affording excellent facili- 
ties for draining in either of these 
directions into the streams in question. 18 
snows and glaciers of the eastern 
slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and 
having the characteristic clear and 
cool water of streams of that nature. 
It is probable that before long the 
greater portion of the mean summer 
how in the latter stream will be 
diverted to provide irrigation in the 
adjacent country, and it is therefore 
necessary that the city should look to 
the Bow River for its present and 
future water supply. Fortunately 
this stream is of such size and has 
such a rapid flow that it may be relied 
upon to furnish a bountiful supply for 
all time. 
The Bow river, in that portion of its 
length in the vicinity of Calgary, has 
an average fall of some 10.6 feet in a 
mile and a mean velocity, during low- 
water, of abont 3.57 feet per second. 
The low water discharge of the stream 
in not less than 2500 cubic feet per 
second, and at high water (which 
stage covers a considerable period of 
its flow) this discharge is increased to 
some 12,000 cubic feet per second, 
with a further increase up to 25,000 
cubic feet per second during the time 
of the flood or freshet discharge. 
The topographical features of the 
country to the west and in the im- 
mediate vicinity of the Bow River, are 
such as to preclude the possibility of 
easy diversion of its waters in an 
extensive manner for irrigation pur- 
poses, or the dense settlement of the 
drainage area tributary thereto, and 
it is therefore reasonably certain that 
this source will for all time provide 
the city with a bountiful and pure 
water supply. 
DRAINAGE FACILITIES. 
As has already been stated, the site 
occupied by the city has a gradual fall 
to the east and west till the Bow and 
Elbow Rivers are reached, the 
elevation of Stephen Avenue in the 
central portion of the city being 25.0 
feet above the high water level in the 
Bow River at the Langevin Bridge, 
and 30.4 feet above the same stage of 
water in the Elbow River at the 
Railway Bridge. This fall is ample to 
secure good drainage into either of 
these streams, and the fall, velocity 
and discharge of the Bow River as 
given above, is sufficie it to provide 
that any sewage emptied into that 
stream will be rapidly carried away, 
from the vicinity of the city. 
The porosity of the soil of the site 
upon which the city is built, probably 
permits of an undesirable percolation 
of surface impurities, and of seepage 
from closets or cesspits, but this 
feature would of course be corrected 
by a thorough sewerage system, and 
this porosity will permit of ground 
water being kept well below the 
surface. 
GENERAL REMARKS 
In its general features the site of 
Calgary may be compared with that 
occupied by the City of Denver, Col., 
they are both situated at a high alti- 
tude above the sea in an open country, 
to the east of, but within a compara- 
tively short distance of the Rocky 
Mountains, and in their climatic con- 
ditions sufficiently alike to justify 
comparison. Calgary, however, occu- 
pies a much more sheltered position 
than Denver, possesses a more bounti 
ful water supply, and has better 
facilities for safe disposal of sewage, 
the Bow River being a larger and 
much more important stream than 
the Platte River, which provides 
Denver with a large portion of its 
water supply and also receives and 
removes its sewage. I am, sir, 
Your obedient servant, 
J. S. Dennis, 
D.L.S., M.A.S.I.E.. 
Chief I nsp.’Surveys- 
Calgary, May 27th, 1895. 19 
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT. 
taken advantage of every opportunity 
that presented itself to me in order 
to ascertain from persons who happen- 
ed to be suffering from consumption 
what effect our climate had upon their 
disease, and from the information I 
have received I have no hesitation 
whatever in saying that it will be 
hard to find a climate in the Dominion 
to compete with Calgary as a health 
resort for those suffering from con- 
sumption. Another important point- 
why Calgary should be selected for 
the proposed Sanatorium is the equi- 
bility of the temperature at Calgary 
throughout the different seasons of 
the year. It certainly cannPt be 
denied that occasionally we have a 
sudden rise in temperature caused by 
the chinook winds, but I venture the 
assertion that this is in no way an 
objectionable feature. I would further 
make the statement that throughout 
the past four years the weather in and 
about Calgary both in summer and 
winter has been such as to permit a 
consumptive patient (not bed-fast) to 
be out either driving or walking with 
the exception of about two weeks in 
in each year when it might either be 
snowing or raining. 
I would further add that Calgary 
has as much, if not more, sunshine 
that any other part of the Dominion. 
I make this statement from reading 
the ‘‘Monthly Weather Review,*r 
which is published by the Dominion 
Government, and which is an 
authority that cannot be contradicted. 
I have been informed that a report 
is current, to the effect that Calgary 
is not a suitable place for the proposed 
Sanatorium by reason of the prevalence 
of fog. In answer to this I beg to say 
that such is not the case. I cannot 
recall anything dm ing the last four 
years to bear up such a statement, 
and only recollect four or five times 
during the period above mentioned, 
when I had occasion to report a fog 
covering Calgary, and then its 
By Thos. O’Brien, Esq., of the Observ- 
ation Department at Calgary. 
I. S. G. TAN WART, ESQ., SECRETARY, 
BOARD OF TRADE, CALGARY. 
Dear Sir,—Re Dominion Sanator- 
ium. As 1 have been acting as Meter- 
ological Observer here for the Do- 
minion Government for the past four 
years, I will endeavour to give you 
some information as to the climate of 
Calgary. 
In the first place permit me to say 
that Calgary is not regarded by the 
o cers of the Meterologieal Service as 
a “Wind Station.” Three years ago 
an Inspector of the service had the 
anemometer then in use in Calgary re- 
moved to Edmonton, as he claimed 
Calgary was too much sheltered to be 
regarded as a “Wind Station. I 
would remark here that Calgary, l 
believe, is not regarded as a “Wind 
Station,” for the reason that, when- 
ever Calgary is visited by a fresh 
breeze, it comes in fitful gusts, and in 
nearly all cases from the west and 
northwest. From this fact alone you 
will note that it is possible to select a 
site for a Dominion Sanatorium that 
will be protected from the west and 
northwest, the two points from which, 
generally speaking, any rough weather 
we get visits Calgary. Again, the 
temperature of Calgary during the 
summer and winter months is, in my 
opinion, favourable to such an institu- 
tion being established here, for the 
reason that in the summer months the 
heat is not oppressive, nor yet is the 
cold severe during the winter season. 
True we have cold spells, but I may 
say that they are of such a short 
duration as to be scarcely noticeable 
even by an invalid. In support of this 
contention I might add that during 
the four years I have had charge of 
the Meterologieal Office here, I have 20 
duration was not more than a couple 
of hours on each occasion. 
In conclusion I might add that I 
cannot give here any reason why the 
proposed Dominion Sanatorium should 
not be established in Calgary. I do 
not know, from my experience here, 
anything against the climate that 
would stand in.the way, excepting the 
dust storms which occasionally visit 
Calgary. To counteract this, the 
Sanatorium could be placed on a 
suitable site where it would be 
protected from the west and north 
west winds. Therefore I would 
strongly recommend that should 
Calgary be finally decided upon, this 
matter, the selection of a site, receive 
every consideration, as 1 believe if a 
site be selected, protected in the 
manner above stated, this objection- 
able feature would be overcome, by 
reason of the building being placed in 
one of the many amphitheatre 
situations which exist, with a southern 
outlook, iu the high range of bench 
land on the north and west of 
Calgary. Should you require any 
further information kindly let mo 
know and I shall he pleased to givo 
you same upon hearing from you. 
Believe me, yours faithfully, 
Thos. O’Brien. 
Calgary, May 27, 1895. 
P. S.—I will give you herewith tho 
mean temperature for the months of 
October, November and December 
1893; and for January, June, July and 
August 1894; also for January, 
February and March 1895: 
above 
1893: zero. 
October.. .mean temperature.... 38.00 
November. “ ** “ " .... 20.31 
December. “ “ “ “ .... 19.00 
18tO: 
January.. mean temperature.... 10.00 
June “ “ “ “ .... 58.35 
July “ “ “ “ .... 05.30 
August.... “ “ “ '*.... 04.00 
1895: 
January, mean temperature .... 4.00 
February. “ “ “ “ .... 10 00 21 
DR. GEORGE MACDONALD’S 
benefit of those who do not know 
Alberta let me here give a short 
sketchy account of the seasons as ex- 
perienced by us of Calgary. 
The winters of this district though 
quite cold at times, are often finer and 
more enjoyable than one would care to 
describe. Actual winter usually ap- 
pears about the first of January, (occa- 
sionally some weeks later) with bright 
keen days, the thermometer reaching 
zero or even below, but this does not 
last long, for soon comes up from the 
west Alberta’s warm friend thechinook 
wind and in a few hours the tempera- 
ture is at 46 or 60 degrees above zero 
and continues so for days. 
“A clear cool air, a dry bracing at- 
mosphere, with unclouded sunshine 
and blue skies.” 
The only real cold weather we ex- 
perience is that of January and Febru- 
ary, and then it is only for a few days 
at a time that the thermometer re- 
mains low, when the balmy chinook 
greets and warms us. 
Snows are very light, and under the 
warm westwinddisappearas by magic. 
The snow too is dry and lignt and does 
not cling to the clothes, thus permit- 
ting invalids to go outin the snow with 
impunity. Though situated (Calgary) 
at 51 degrees north latitude the climate 
is so modified and tempered by the 
chinook and the local depression in 
elevation from that in the mountains, 
that as reported in N. Y. Sun, 1801, 
meteorologists claim it equal to 13 de- 
grees of latitude gained to this depress- 
ed belt about the Rockies and under 
the influence of the chinook. 
I will not enter into any detailed 
statement as to the origin of the chin- 
ook, but refer you to a scientific re- 
port of it as published by Dr. Dawson, 
and content myself in short by stating 
that it is a westerly dry wind, devoid 
of moisture, and so tempers our win- 
ters that they are usually more like 
fall days than winter as generally un- 
derstood. It renders the season such 
Views upon Calgary’s Advantages from 
a Medical Standpoint. 
There has of late been considerable 
discussion as to the advisability of 
establishing a Canadian home for con- 
sumptives and also as to what part of 
our Dominion would present advan- 
tages equal to or even excelling those 
of the older and better known resorts. 
That Canadians have in South 
Alberta (especially in the Calgary dis- 
trict) a climate offering in a high de- 
gree all the natural advantages neces- 
sary for the establishment of such a 
home it will be my endeavour to prove 
in the course of this letter. 
To begin with, let us enquire what 
in climate is most desirable in the selec- 
tion of a health resort for consump- 
tives; and then let us see in how far 
South Alberta meets these desiderata, 
and whether it will justify us in claim- 
ing, as we do, the possession of the 
natural qualifications necessary for the 
founding of a home equal to. or super- 
ior to those of better known retreats. 
The consensus of opinion among 
climatologists is that the spot selected 
for phthisical patients should hold out 
the following inducements, namely;— 
1. A dry aseptic atmosphere. 
2. A'dry soil. 
3. A maximum amount of sunshine. 
4. A certain amount of elevation. 
Equality of temperature within cer- 
tain limits is not considered necessary. 
Now, these being the great climatic 
advantages to be looked for I maintain 
and hope to prove that these can be 
had in our own Dominion, in Canada’s 
Alberta. 
No person who knows Alberta will 
deny that we about this Calgary dis- 
trict enjoy all these advantages as call- 
ed for to a greater degree than has yet 
been credited to the climate of any 
other resort for invalids, and for the 22 
that stock may run at large on the 
ranges the winter through. The mean 
average temperatures for the months 
of January, Febiuary and March are 
respectively 0.3°, 11.8° and 14,9°. Spring 
is generally early, and in it we have 
•cold snaps of a few days and an occa- 
sional light snowstorm. It practically 
begins about the first of March, when 
the snow has then gone or is going, 
and as a rule is mild and agreeable. 
April and May days are warm, with 
plenty of sunshine but cool nights. In 
May and June the days become warm 
er and more enjoyable. Mean tempera- 
ture for April 37.5°, May 48.8' and 
June 55°. 
The summer is long and agreeable, 
beginning about the latter part of May 
or early in June and lasting until 
October, frequently running into the 
middle of November, for autumn 
weather is like that of summer, the 
only exception being that the Septem- 
ber nights are usually frosty and that 
at about the time of the equinox we 
generally have a snowstorm, which, 
however, is immediately evaporated. 
The days are warm, occasionally ap- 
proaching hot, but the heat is not felt 
much on account of the cool breeze 
blowing. One great boon is that 
though we may be warm at mid-day 
or experience the discomforts of sum- 
mer winds, we invariably have cool 
nights. Even at the hottest one does 
not experience the exhaustion or 
fatigue from the heat such as is felt in 
more humid countries. The heat is at 
its highest about the middle of August 
is not sultry and is followed by cool 
nights. From May to July we have a 
few warm showers, Average temper- 
ature for July is 59.6 3, August 58.1 3, 
September 50.9 3. Autumn, from end 
of September to middle of November, 
is practically summerlike during the 
•day time. September to December is 
unexcelled anywhere, with its clear 
days and bright sunshine, clear star- 
light nights and cloudless skies. Mean 
temperature for October 40.5 3, 
November 24.7 0 and December 14.70. 
This description as given specially 
relates to Calgary and the statistics 
as quoted are from the Dominion 
meteorological reports, comprising the 
mean of four years. 
How easily does this Calgary district 
fulfil'all the climatic requirements we 
called for. 
The pure, dry atmosphere insured 
by the character of the country: “A 
great, grassy, undulating, treeless 
plain, elevated 2,(XX) to 4,(XX) feet above 
the sea level, and distant several 
hundred miles from any considerable 
body of water.” 
That the climate is pre-eminently a 
dry one is evidenced from the fact 
that the average percentage of humid- 
ity registered for the three winter 
months is from 55 to 75, and for the 
other nine 30 to 55, indicating a very 
dry atmosphere. The annual rainfall 
is only about 10 inches, and that nearly 
all in the month of June. This free- 
dom from dampness is a very neces- 
sary factor, as it is well proved that 
dampness provokes consumption. 
Dr. D. H, Cullimore, of London, 
England, who has studied nearly all 
the known health resorts for consump- 
tives says, regarding dampness: “The 
evils that can fairly be laid at the door 
of excessive moisture, in the causation, 
primary and ultimate development of 
consumption are so great that they 
can, in my opinion, hardly be exagger- 
ated, for there is scarcely a place, 
whether on the high hills, in the low- 
land valleys, by, or on the ocean wave, 
in the arctic, torrid or temperate zone, 
that moisture does not play an im- 
portant and destructive role.” 
The exceedingly great amount of 
sunshine here enjoyed is well set forth 
in the following extract from a paper 
by Dr. Kennedy of Macleod. “The 
Climate of Southern Alberta,” read at 
the meeting of the Canadian Medical 
Association at Banff, in August, 1889, 23 
from a personal record during a period 
five years. “The number of days 
which are recorded as overcast, raining 
and storming, is respectively 51, 19, 56, 
53 and 11, being an average of a frac- 
tion over 50, all the rest being noted 
as fine. Over 50 per cent, of these (50) 
are simply overcast, so it is fairly pre- 
sumable that in the large majority 
confinement to the house would be 
unnecessary.” 
Further we have throughout the 
district an altitude of from 2000 to 
1000 feet above the sea level, sufficient 
to cause lung and chest development 
by the increased respiration which 
becomes necessary, without the danger 
of, at the same time, producing too 
great dilation of the air cells, as is so 
frequently seen In the higher altitudes’ 
In Calgary, a young city situated 
under the shadow of the Rockies, at 
an elevation of 33S0 feet, in 111 degrees 
west longtitude, and 51 north latitude, 
we find all these desirable advantages 
as enumerated. Dryness without 
rain for 10 months, accompanied by 
sunshine; dry chinook winds in winter, 
rendering that season very bearable 
and enjoyable; light rains between 
May and July, and in summer cool 
nights that promote refreshing sleep. 
The dryness of the atmosphere enables 
one to withstand changes of tempera- 
ture that in more humid regions 
would be detrimental or dangerous. 
The climate is both a tonic and a stim- 
ulant. 
Here then is a climate which enables 
the delicate invalid to enjoy the 
largest amount of pure air with the 
greatest amount of ease and comfort 
to body and mind. 
Dr. Cullimore, whom I have already 
quoted says: “The climate which, 
under the circumstances, permits the 
freest ventilation and the greatest 
amount of outdoor exercise is for each 
individual the best.” 
Where to find a site offering this to 
a greater degree than Calgary I know 
not. 
That our climate is especially 
efficacious in the arrest and cure of 
pulmonary disease has been noted 
time and again by the physicians of 
Calgary, and I am sure any of the 
medical profession here will be most 
pleased to quote histories of cases that 
have derived benefit, and to grant all 
information in their power to any 
inquirers. 
In advocating the great influence 
for good derived by consumptives 
from residence iu a climate such as 
this, I do not mean to say that it is 
beneficial m all the stages of this 
disease. In the earlier stages of the 
malady undoubted benefit is derived 
and many ciu'es effected, but for the 
delicate invalid in the last stages it is 
almost criminal to recommend in fact 
any change from the home comforts 
and surroundings. Hear what the 
London Lancet, (England) says 
regarding such: 
“May I take this opportunity of 
expressing my sense of the utter 
fallacy, nay, wickedness of those who 
send consumptives to Davos, or any 
other health resort, in the final stage 
of the malady.” 
In addition to that of climate 
Calgary offers advantages for 
sufferers from lung troubles. It is 
easy of access, situated on the main 
line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, 
and invalids anywhere between the 
Atlantic and Pacific seeking our in- 
vigorating air have but to step aboard 
a well equipped parlour (sleeping), or 
tourist car and with dining car in 
attendance proceed without change to 
Calgary, provided throughout the 
journey with all the comforts and 
attentions which the Canadian Pacific 
Railway furnish for their travelling 
patrons, so that the trip even to the 
invalid is one of ease and pleasure and 
far from wearisome. 
The nearness of Banff, the centre of 
Canada’s National Park, only 90 miles 24 
west, its medicinal hot springs and 
attractive surroundings, with hotel 
accommodation eqxxal to the best, 
offers inducements unexcelled to those 
who wish for l-ecreation and change of 
scene from time to time. Calgary 
still 'adds further advantages in its 
cheerful social surroundings, its varied 
i*esources of exercise and outdoor 
sports, as shooting, fishing, etc. for 
those who are strong enough to enjoy 
them, and soon we hope to be able to 
offer what will he the greatest boon 
and advantage, next to climate, a 
thoroughly well equipped, well 
regulated and comfortable institute 
for invalids, a veritable home. 
In conclusion I will but add the 
following extxact by Mr. W. Reid, of 
Glasgow, who has personally visited 
a great number of the consumptive 
health resorts of Europe and America. 
“Alberta possesses what is rarely to 
be found, a very healthy climate and 
an extraordinary fertile soil combined. 
Rut as regards recuperative powers 
the author would in particular 
specially recommend the air of tho 
City of Calgary for incipient con- 
sumption and asthma. He has resided 
in Denver and carefully noted its 
healing properties to invalids suffering 
from these diseases, and from various 
chest and lung complaints but he- 
ventures to believe that for similar 
diseases Calgary is more adapted than 
Denver. It possesses first the same 
location, qualities, and contiguity to 
the Rocky Mountains, dry and bracing 
atmosphere and absence from frequent 
and cold rains; an elevation very 
similar 3,400 feet above sea level; 
second also that which Denver does 
not possess, the healing, dry and 
balmy winds in winter, blowing upon 
Calgary from the Pacific Coast; and 
third Calgary's nearness to the Pacific 
Coast, with its mild summer, distant 
640 miles as against Denver’s 1,300. In 
the treatment of the numerous cases 
of consumption the medical profession 
of Calgary have been surprised at the 
rapid cures effected, where of couise 
the disease was not too far gone- 
as to be incurable.” 
Yours truly, 
George Macdonald, M.D. 
Calgary, Alberta, April 20, 1804. 25 
MR. GAGE INTERVIEWED. 
Dr. Temple and Dr. Graham, have- 
waited upon the Council pressing 
upon them the necessity and the 
BENEFITS OF A HOSPITAL OF THIS KIND 
“What do you now propose to do?”' 
“If the C. P. R. will grant free 
transportation for a limited number of 
poor patients, say 100 per year, that is, 
for those who are not able to pay any 
part of their railway fare, I would 
propose that the money now offered 
for a home in Toronto, which is 
$25,(XX), and more can be secured if 
needed, be utilized in the erection of a 
home at say Calgary, or such other 
point as may be determined upon. It 
is a first condition that, in order to 
secure the successful working of the 
home, free transportation be allowed, 
so that at first we would have the 
guarantee of a reasonable number of 
patients and in this way we 
would be enabled to make a record for 
an establishment of this kind. For 
those who could afford to pay, a re- 
duced rate might be arranged. And 
further, all material required for the 
building and equipping of the hospital 
might be carried free, and afterwards 
such supplies as may be required 
could be transported at a reduced 
rate.” 
“How do you propose that the hos- 
pital would be conducted and main- 
tained ?” 
“When erected, the hospital would 
be under the contiol and management 
of a board of trustees, duly elected for 
the purpose. The source of revenue 
would, in the first place, be derived 
from those who could pay in whole or 
in part for their maintenance, as in 
any of the general hospitals. Secondly, 
from public subscriptions that would 
be received in the cities, say at 
Montreal and Toronto, where the 
Head Hospitals or Receiving Homes 
would be. Third, it is hoped that Gov- 
ernment aid will be extended in the 
same way as at present. On this point 
I may say that I have already con- 
The Following Appeared in the Montreal 
Star March n, 1895. 
Montreal Star, ]\Jarch 11: Mr. W. J. 
Gage, of Toronto, one of the best 
known publishers in the Dominion, 
has been spending a few days in the 
city. Mr. Gage has a project very 
near his heart, which he hopes to 
carry into active operation at an early 
date, namely, the erection of a home 
for the cure of consumptives at a point 
along the C. P. R., somewhere in the 
neighbourhood of Calgary. When 
interviewed yesterday, Mr. Gage gave 
a very interesting description of the 
proposed home and its benefits. 
“Owing to the fact now being 
clearly established,” he said, “that 
consumption is contagious, the 
necessity for special hospitals is well 
understood, and with the authority of 
the best physicians that fully 50 per 
cent of the cases that now terminate 
fatally might be saved if proper pre- 
ventative and restorative means were 
used, we have every encouragement to 
take vigouious means looking towards 
the diminishing of the death rate of 
this dread disease. Special hospitals 
are now being established in Buffalo, 
in New York, Denver and other 
places of the United States. The 
proposal to erect a hospital in Ontario 
has been most favourably received. 
The Provincial Board of Health at its 
recent meeting in January passed a 
strong resolution urging upon the 
Government the establishment of an 
institution of this kind in different 
parts of the province, and at the last 
annual meeting of the Board of Trade 
of the city of Toronto, the subject was 
taken up and an urgent appeal made 
for the carrying into effect the 
erection of a hospital in that 
city. The leading physicians of 
Toronto, such men as Dr. Cameron, 26 
suited with several members of the 
Local Government in Toronto, and 
they have intimated that it seems 
reasonable for us to expect for each 
patient taken from Ontario the same 
per diem allowance that is now given 
to patients in the hospitals of Ontario. 
This is now 30c per day for each 
patient. The Dominion Government 
should also 
LIBERALLY AID SUCH AN INSTITUTION, 
as they now spend a good deal of 
money each year in the supervision of 
cattle to prevent the spread of tuber- 
culosis.” 
“What are the advantages to be ob- 
tained by a home such as you have 
mentioned ?” 
“First, it would be beneficial to the 
patients themselves. Of 'this fact 
there can be no better illustration than 
that given by one of the chief officials 
of the C.P.R. He gave me a history 
of his own case the other day, saying 
that four years ago one of the best 
physicians in Toronto told him he 
could not live till spring, and that he 
should hand in his resignation at once 
to the head office at Montreal. He 
name to this city to do so, but instead 
of accepting it the authorities told 
him to go to Kamloops in the Can- 
adian North-West. He did so and re- 
turned a half year later a sound man. 
We have also the experience of many 
hundreds, who are known to the read- 
ers of the Star, who are leaving each 
year for Denver, New Mexico and 
other points in the United States with 
similar climatic conditions as are found 
in our own North West. In this way 
we will not only save a great many 
promising lives, hut we will keep them 
as citizens of our own country. Sec- 
ondly, the records that will lie secured 
from such a Home must result in 
increased travel to a climate that has 
been so beneficial in helping invalids, 
and not only will the railway carry an 
additional number of passengers on 
account of having this Home estab- 
lished in the North West, but, in nine 
cases out of ten, those who are bene- 
fited will of necessity become perman- 
ent residents. 
“I have received a copy of a resolu- 
tion from Calgary Council strongly 
endorsing the scheme, and from the 
communication received I have a hope 
that the Government of the North 
West Territories may render material 
assistance.” 27 
A GENERAL CIRCULAR. 
one month from Asiatic Cholera in 
New York as regularly occur from 
Pulmonary Consumption, the city 
would be well nigh depopulated from 
panic resulting.” 
The Secretary of the Board of Health 
in Michigan, in an address before the 
meeting of the Michigan State Medical 
Society, says:—“I dwell upon the 
utility of a State hospital for Con- 
sumptives, not for its benefits to a 
class of unfortunate citizens worthy of 
sympathy, and of all possible aid to 
recovery, but especially as a means 
towards the restriction of Tuber- 
culosis.” 
WHAT HAS BEE's ALREADY ACCOM- 
PLISHED. 
A friend has made a proposition to 
give $25,000 towards the erection of 
the buildings, and others have gener- 
ously offered aid in tne same direction. 
If the cottage plan, now admitted to 
be the best, be adopted building oper- 
ations may be begun at once. 
Thus at the Saranac Lake Sana- 
torium in New York State, where 
there was one building and six patients 
in 1884 there are now twenty-two 
buildings and eighty-six patients. 
Important concessions have been se- 
cured from the Canadian Pacific Rail- 
way and the Grand Trunk Railway, 
they agreeing to give free transporta- 
tion to the hospital for one hundred 
poor patients per annum and half rates 
for other patients, as well as additional 
concessions of an important character. 
The Ontario Government has agreed 
to give a per diem allowance for each 
patient belonging to the Province of 
Outario similar to that for patients in 
the general hospitals of the province. 
WHERE IT SHALL P.E LOCATED. 
Keeping in view that one of the 
most important factors to promote the 
recovery of patients in the incipient 
stages of Consumption is a favorable 
climatic condition, and having the 
very best of testimony from our medi- 
cal men and from the experience of 
Its Necessity and what has Already been 
Accomplished. 
The following circular issued in To- 
ronto is published here as being of in- 
terest and importance in connection 
with the proposal: 
The Aid of the Dominion Parlia- 
ment is sought in the establishment of 
,a National Sanatorium for the cure of 
Consumption. Such an institution, 
so far as its facilities will permit, should 
be open to patients, from all parts of 
the Dominion. All private or secular 
control should be excluded. 
ITS NECESSITY. 
Statistics furnished by the highest 
medical authorities state that tuber- 
culosis carries off one-seventh of the 
human race. So prevalent is it, that 
in England it is called the “Plague of 
Great Britain.” It has also been 
proved beyond a doubt that the dis- 
ease is contagious. In its earlier stages 
it is well-known to be curable. The 
necessity of placing such patients in 
special hospitals to prevent the spread 
of the disease, and to secure conditions 
essential to proper treatment, becomes 
at once apparent. 
Dr. J, E. Graham, Professor of Med- 
icine in Toronto University, in a recent 
address before the Ontario Medical 
Association, says:—“For charity pa- 
tients a special hospital is a necessity 
if we ever expect to check the progress 
of Consumption.” 
Dr. Herman Biggs, Head of the 
Health Department of New York, and 
one of the best known authorities in 
the United States, says:—“I have re- 
peatedly seen persons admitted for 
Other diseases contract Tuberculosis in 
the ward, and leave the hospital cured 
of the original affection, but suffering 
from well developed Tuberculosis, or 
remain only to die of the latter disease. 
If as many deaths occurred daily for 28 
those who have been afflicted with 
Consumption, that Canada affords 
just such favorable conditions of cli- 
mate as are necessary, it is proposed 
that a Committee of Physicians, in 
whom the public will have the fullest 
confidence, shall determine the loca- 
tion affording all the necessary advan- 
tages, climatic and otherwise. That 
many parts of Canada are available 
for such purposes is proyen from the 
experience at Saranac Lake. Dr. Tru- 
deau, physician in charge, states that 
the patients do notably better during 
the cold weather of winter than dur- 
ing the summer. 
WHAT IS BEING DONE ELSEWHERE. 
In London alone there are three or 
four great Consumptive Hospitals. 
The one at Brompton in the West end 
of London, established over 50 years 
ago, treated last year 11,(XX) out-pa- 
tients, and 2,000 in-patients. 
The Royal Victoria Hospital in the 
East end of London treated last year 
16,000 out-patients and 1,300 in-patients. 
All of these have been cai’ed for with- 
out any charge whatever to the 
patients. 
The Royal National Hospital for 
Comsumptives at Ventnor, in the Isle 
of Wight, is established on the cot- 
tage plan, and comprises some ten 
large buildings or cottages, having for 
its president the late Prime Minis- 
ter, Lord Rosebery. 
Within the past three months apian 
has been organized in Scotland by Mr. 
Quarrier of Glasgow, with Sir W. T. 
Gairdner as chairman of the Advisory 
Board, which provides for the erection 
of six buildings for thirty-five patients 
each, to be located in the hills of Ren- 
frewshire, and estimated to cost £60 
(XX) of which £12,000 is already pro- 
vided. 
In Germanv they have recently had 
erected State Hospitals for the treat- 
ment of charity patients, afflicted with 
Tuberculosis. 
In Switzerland we have the great 
Sanatnria at Davos Platz for Consump- 
tives, with thousands of guests, where 
a railway of many miles in length has 
been built to accommodate consump- 
tive patients and their friends. The 
Government of Switzerland has issued 
during the past year regulations look- 
towards the establishment of special 
hospitals in each canton. 
In the United States also hospitals 
are being erected for the exclusive- 
treatment of consumptive patients. 
Buffalo during the past year has con- 
tracted for the erection of one, In 
New York a system of Inspection and 
reporting of cases of Consumption has 
been instituted with the result that 
from 1803 to 1804 the death rate from 
this cause had been reduced from 5,- 
000 to 4,000. 
The Saranac Lake Sanatorium was 
established in 1884, with one cottage 
and six patients, and had, in 1804, 22 
buildings and 86 patients. Its value 
in 1894 was $75,000, and had in addition 
an endowment of $25,000 and a free 
bed fund of $11,000. 
Within the past three months two 
more Homes have been decided upon 
in New York State, one by Messrs. 
Schiff and Bloomingdale—The Monte- 
liore, endowed by them with $50,000; 
anti another by General DePeyster 
who has donated $30,(XX), and con- 
templates a home for 300 con- 
sumptives. 
WHY THE GOVERNMENT OP THE 
DOMINION SHOULD ASSIST. 
It is a disease of the poor. While no 
class of society is exempt from con- 
sumption, yet it is especially the 
disease of the poor. Many of those 
affected are compelled to toil on for 
bare subsistence while slowly dying 
and spreading the disease among their 
fellows. Of all diseases consumption 
is the most costly to treat, requiring 
protracted rest, pure air and the best 
food. Notwithstanding that it is the 
most frequent and fatal of diseases, 
owing to its protracted nature and the 29 
■consequent expense entailed, con- 
sumptives are to a large extent 
excluded from general hospitals. 
Even if they were admitted these 
fall far short of the requirements. 
As a means of education for the 
public such an institution will be most 
beneficial. The advantage** of this 
when we consider the future cannot 
be overestimated. 
From an economic point of view the 
Government should assist, as the 
disease is most prevalent among the 
poorer classes, and hence in this way 
there is lost to the State each year the 
services of thousands of wage-earners 
whose lives might be saved. 
On patriotic grounds the Govern- 
ment should help. At the present 
moment those who can afford it are 
being sent by our physicians to 
Colorado, New Mexico, etc. In many 
cases they become permanent 
residents of the place where they have 
been so much benefitted. Canada 
ought to retain these, and to help an 
infinitely larger number who cannot 
cake advantage of these favourable 
conditions of climate, etc,, owing to 
the expense of transport, etc. . 
With a view to making Canada 
better known to Europe the Govern- 
ment should assist. Heretofore 
Canada has been too often advertised 
abroad by its ice palaces, etc. 
Physicians in Europe are constantly 
sending their patients to Colorado and 
other points in the United States. If 
we can show them that we have 
established a National Sanatorium for 
consumptives, and its results prove 
that we have as favourable climatic 
conditions as can be found anywhere 
on the continent for those suffering 
from tuberculosis, there will be turned 
to this Dominion a stream of invalids 
who now seek health in the Republic 
to the south of us. 
HOW THE PROPOSAL HAS BEEN 
RECEIVED. 
The press of Toronto and Montreal 
have been unanimous in their 
testimony. Medical men of both cities 
have joined in urging that something 
be done towards the erection of such a 
Sanatorium as that proposed. 
Recently a deputation of some 
40 of the Toronto physicians 
waited upon the Ontario Government 
urging the claims of the proposed 
hospital. Men representing both sides 
of politics in Toronto and Ottawa haye 
endorsed the plan. 
That the result would be satisfactory 
there can be no doubt. This cannot 
be better indicated than by the 
following paragraph taken from the 
paper recently referred to by 
Dr. J. E. Graham, Toronto: “By 
intelligent and persistent efforts to 
destroy the bacilli, or to prevent their 
entrance into the hpdy; by general 
sanitation; by careful management of 
individuals who have a hereditary 
predisposition; and by the open air 
treatment, if possible in special 
hospitals, for incipient as well as 
advanced cases; the ravages of the 
disease would, in my opinion be 
diminished by one-half, and perhaps 
to a much greater extent.” 
The annual report of Saranac Lake 
Sanatorium for 1893 states that 25 per 
cent of the patients are permanently 
cured, and 35 per cent receive benefit) 
so that they may resume their 
avocations. 
The report of Dr. P. H. Bryce, the 
Secretary of the Provincial Board of 
Health of Ontario, dated January 17, 
1895, states: 
“Some 1,000 consumptive patients 
are now annually treated in the 
general hospital of Ontario, to the 
great danger of other patients.” 
That in 1892 there were in the 12 
cities of Ontario alone 750 deaths from 
this disease. 
That the economic value to the 
State of this class, mostly composed of 
adults or wage-earners, is such as to 
demand their rescue from death, and 30 
for the still greater reason that the 
saving of others who would be exposed 
to them as ordinarily treated as well 
as the reduction of the heredity 
tendency in their children, will be in 
geometrical ratio.” 
WHAT IS ASKED FROM THE DOMINION 
PARLIAMENT. 
With a view to securing the best 
results it will .be necessary to have a 
Sanatorium established distant from 
the large cities, with a view to avoid- 
ing the incident smoke and dust, and 
with a view to securing the best 
climatic conditions. It follows that 
public help cannot be so readily 
secured as if the vicinity afforded 
ready demonstration of the work 
being done. Hence the appeal to 
Parliament as representing the whole 
people. 
As already intimated, the cost of 
maintaining consumptive patients is 
greatly in excess of that of other 
patients. In Brompton hospital, 
London, England, there are usually 
300 beds occupied by charity patients 
during the entire year. It is reason- 
able to expect that in a large of this 
character patients can be maintained 
more cheaply than if only one quarter 
the number were cared for. The 
following letter from the Secretary 
speaks for itself: 
Hospital for Consumptives, and 
Diseases of the Chest. 
Dear Sir: In reply to your letter, I 
beg to inform you that the cost per 
bed for the year 1893 was £92-2-2, 
which divided by 3(35 brings it to about, 
os. a day (or about $1.25). 
Yours faithfully, 
(Sgd). W. II. Theobald, 
Secretary. 
Brompton, London, S. W., October 
12, 1894. 
It is, therefore, respectfully asked 
that a per diem allowance of 50c. per 
day per patient be given. This would 
be equivalent to about one-third of the 
cost of maintenance. 
It is proposed that the money 
already promised shall be used solely 
for the erection of buildings. 
Parliament in addition to giving per 
diem allowance might reasonably 
assist private enterprise in the 
equipment of the institution, in view 
of the national character of the 
enterprise and its vast importance. 31 
A FEW MEDICAL OPINIONS 
others. 
With my earnest good wishes for 
the success of the new Canadian Nati- 
onal Hospital for consumption, 
I am, very sincerely, 
E. L. Trudeau. 
American and Montreal Physicians have 
Something to say. 
Copy of a letter from Dr. E. L. 
Trudeau, Medical Superintendent of 
Saranac Laboratory for the study of 
tuberculosis. 
Saranac Lake, N.Y., May 20, ’95. 
Dear Sir: I am very glad to hear 
of the proposed establishment of a 
National Hospital for consumptives in 
Canada. A life time spent in constant 
contact with phthisical patients and 
for the past 11 years in founding and 
developing the work of the Adirondack 
Cottage Sanatorium have but em- 
phasized for me what I believed many 
years ago, namely, the great need of a 
radical departure from the old 
methods in the general management 
of consumptives. The practicability 
and usefulness of such institutions is 
no longer a matter of conjecture, but 
have been demonstrated by the 
results obtained during the past 10 
years at the Adirondack Cottage 
Sanatorium and at the foreign 
institutions and rest on the following 
facts: 
1. The wide-spread prevalence and 
frightful mortality of pulmonary Tu- 
berculosis and its comparative curabil- 
ity in its earlier stages, our records 
showing about twenty to thirty per 
cent, of arrests or improvements. 
2. That the placing of consumptives 
in such institutions tends to diminish 
greatly the number of foci of infection 
in crowded centres of population, to 
restrict thereby the spread of the dis- 
ease and to benefit public health. 
8. That the treatment of pati- 
ents in suitably equipped institutions 
in a good climate where a fair propor- 
tion of them can be benefittedor cured 
is no more expensive than in the wards 
of a general hospital where they all 
die and are a source of danger to 
LETTERS FROM MONTREAL PHYSICIANS. 
Copy of a letter from Sir Alex. 
Hingston, Montreal, Surgeon in Chief 
of the Hotel Dieu Hospital. 
Montreal, May 10th, 1895, 
Dear Sir,—I have long wished to 
see a Sanatorium or two established 
in the higher western portion of the 
Dominion, where the subjects of tuber- 
culosis coidd receive the advantages of 
open air treatment—a boon which they 
have been obliged to seek elsewhere, 
or to forego altogether. 
It was with no small degree of satis- 
faction,therefore,I learned, from your- 
self and others, that you had directed 
your thoughts to obtaining for tuber- 
culous patients suitable accommoda- 
tion in our own countrv. 
Medical authority has pronounced 
emphatically in favour of the climate 
of Canada. But the qualities of cli- 
mate are but one element in the choice 
of a suitable locality for the patient. 
The facilities of travel and the com- 
forts of residence are factors equally 
important in the choice of suitable 
abode, and of the route to reach it. 
the first of these two is now available,, 
and I trust your well directed energies 
will, in the near future, secure the lat- 
ter. Wishing you success. 
Yours truly, 
Alex. Kingston. 
Copy of letter from Dr. Stewart,. 
Medical Supt. of New Royal Victoria 
Hospital, Montreal. 
Dear Mr. Gage,—In reference to 
our conversation of yesterday about 
the advisability of having a Sanator- 
ium for tuberculous patients establish- 
ed at some point in the North West or 32 
British Columbia, I have to say that 
in my opinion such a place is not only 
• desirable, but urgently needed. It 
has now been proven conclusively that 
the open air treatment of tuberculosis 
in suitable situations not only arrests 
the progress of the disease, but in 
many cases effects absolute cures. 
The gratifying effects of suitable 
• climatic and hygienic conditions in 
this disease are exemplified in the 
results obtained in the Cottage 
Sanatorium in the Adirondacks (Dr. 
Trudeau), in Colorado, in several 
sanatoriums in Germany, in England, 
etc. 
I believe equally favourable results 
will be obtained by the scheme pro- 
posed by you. The treatment of 
chronic tuberculous affections is very 
unsatisfactory in general hospitals. 
Further, it is impossible to treat more 
than a comparatively few, even in this 
way. This necessitates the vast 
majority of consumptives of humble 
means being left to fight this battle as 
best they may, the result being that 
this disease for centuries has claimed 
more victims than any other. The 
recognition of its infective nature 
shows how it can be met and it gives 
me great pleasure indeed to think that 
there will likely be a place soon where 
poor Canadians can go, with fair- 
prospect of being relieved if not cured 
of their disease. Wishing you every 
-success in your good work. 
I remain, yours sincerely, 
James Stewart. 
to the cost of running such an 
institution, I cannot express an 
opinion. A fair comparison could not 
be made with our institution. 1 
should be glad to write again when 
some definite arrangement is made. 
Ridley Mackenzie, 
Medical Superintendent. 
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS RECEIVE!* 
FROM SOME WELL KNOWN TORONTO 
PHYSICIANS. 
J. Algernon Temple, M.D., M.C., 
M.R.C.S. Eng., Prof. Obstetrics and 
Gymekology, Trinity Medical College. 
The establishment of a hospital for 
the treatment of consumptive patients 
has been a want long felt by the med- 
ical profession, and I am heartily in 
sympathy with you in endeavouring 
to build such an institution. I feel it 
is the duty of the government to assist 
in every way to save, or at least pro- 
long, human life, and in no better dir- 
ection can they spend money, than in 
this much needed want. Our country 
affords many suitable localities for 
such a hospital, and no medical man 
who daily sees the sad ravages this 
dread disease is doing but will heartily 
endorse your efforts, and say the gov- 
ernment is doing a good work if it 
grants substantial aid to establish this 
hospital. 
Irving H. Cameron, M.B., Prof. 
Clinical Surgery, Toronto University. 
I certainly think that a hospital for 
consumptives is much needed by the 
province, and that it should he estali- 
lished as soon as possible. * * * We 
have climatic advantages for cases of 
this kind that cannot he equalled by 
any country in the world. We should 
take advantage of them. 
Montreal General Hospital, 
Montreal, June 16,1894. 
Dear Sir: In reply to your letter 
of June 13, I think there is very great 
need for snch an hospital described. 
The treating of such patients in a 
general hospital is wrong, and very 
dangerous to the other patients. This 
isolation must be practised if we 
•expect to stop the advance of this very 
and widespread disease. As 
Ja8. E. Graham, M.D., Prof. Med- 
icine, Toronto University. 
* * * It is most assuredly a necea- 33 
sity, and if properly constructed and 
properly conducted it would be a boon. 
sent knowledge of the disease and its 
treatment, we think it is to a great 
extent curable, especially when not 
too far advanced. It is the duty of 
the State to aid in every way possible 
in the building of the proposed hospi- 
tal. The money would be well invest- 
ed if a proper sanatorium was erected 
in a suitable part of the Dominion. 
E. J. Barrick, M.D., M.R.C.S. Eng. 
* * * The subject is one of the 
greatest importance, and is deserving 
of every support. There is no question 
as to the necessity of such a hospital. 
Consumption in an incipient stage is 
curable. For the poor, unfortunate, 
incurable cases, and for the protection 
of the public generally, common 
humanity urgently calls for isolation 
and treatment as contemplated. 
Office of the Medical Health 
Officer, Toronto, June 16, ’fM. 
These cases have now ordinary hos- 
pital accommodation, but not accom- 
modation for their separate isolation 
and treatment. I may say these 
patients are best managed under what 
is known as the Cottage Hospital 
System by which they can be isolated 
more or less completely, according to 
the stage of the disease. * * * * 
Charles Sheard, M. D., 
Medical Health Officer. 
Arthur Jurrs Johnson, M. B.. 
M.R.C.S. Eng: 
* * * It is time that some step 
was taken towards building such a 
hospital, which would prove an in- 
calculable blessing to many a poor 
sufferer from the awful disease. Con- 
sumption is contagious, it being com- 
municable through the sputa. Many 
cases are undoubtably curable. We 
have in the North-West Territories a 
a climate that is unsurpassed in con- 
ditions which are of vital importance 
in the treatment of tuberculosis. Be- 
sides this it appears to me that if a 
hospital for consumption was begun 
in a suitable location in the North- 
West, the place would soon become a 
centre where other smaller and larger 
sanitoriums for consumption would be 
erected. We would then have, in our 
own country and amongst our own 
people, a health resort to which our 
patients might go. Expense to the 
the patient would be lessened and 
money kept in this country. 
EXTRACTS FROM TORONTO PAPERS. 
Toronto Globe, April 2, 2895 : * * 
One of the difficulties is to remove 
from the public mind the impression 
that consumption is incurable, the 
belief being almost universal that once 
it has seized hold of its victims all that 
can be done is to leave them to die. 
Another of the difficulties, and per- 
haps the main difficulty, is the ques- 
tion of finances. The maintenance of 
an hospital for this class of patients 
would involve more than the usual 
expense. The curative influences are 
necessarily slow, and patients will re- 
quire to spend considerable time in 
the institution if they are to receive 
any permanent benefit from the treat- 
ment. Then there are great numbers 
of afflicted who would desire to avail 
themselves of the boon— a far greater 
number than could possibly be accom- 
modated. 
These problems will have to be 
James Thorburn, M. D., Edin., 
Professor (Emeritus) of Pharmacol- 
ogy and Therapuetics, Tor. University, 
Medical Director North American 
Ins. Co., etc.: 
* * * No ones doubts that con- 
sumption is of a contagious nature 
with a germ origin, and with our pre- 34 
faced, but above them all remains the 
sorrow and suffering that such an 
institution would go a great way 
toward alleviating. There is prob- 
ably scarcely a reader who does not 
know of homes where the existence of 
such an institution would establish 
hope where now there is nothing 
but despair. It is difficult to 
conceive of a more tragic fate 
than that of the bread-winner who 
sees the swift approach of death and 
yet knows that the destroyer could be 
vanquished had he but the means to 
carry him to where climatic conditions 
are favourable and enable him to re- 
remain there long enough to profit by 
the curative influences. 
Such people are under sentence of 
death. Mr. Gage hopes that the 
establishment of an institution such as 
he contemplates would bear to many 
of such a most welcome reprieve. * * 
* * The project is well worthy the 
consideration of the philanthropic and 
of the public bodies who will be asked 
to pecuniarily assist in the mainten- 
ance of patients. 
.more needed than even the Js >lation 
Diphtheria Hospital. 
PROM HOSPITAL SURGEONS, TORONTO. 
Toronto, June 18, 1814. 
There can be no doubt as to the 
advisability of erecting such a hospi- 
tal as you mention, not only that 
those suffering from tuberculosis may 
receive special treatment, but that 
every means may be taken to prevent 
the spread of the disease by infection. 
When we consider that about one 
seventh of the total number of deaths 
is caused by tuberculosis in some 
form, and that by far the most com- 
mon mode of infection is inhalation 
of the dried and pnlverized sputa of 
consumptives, the importance of pro- 
perly careing for this class of pa- 
tients is manifest. Moreover, the 
results obtained in the treatment of 
this disease in special institutions are 
such as would fully justify tin* erec- 
tion of a hospital of this kind. * * * 
I)r. R. J. Dwyer. 
St. Michael’s Hospital. 
Toronto World, May 19, 1895. * * 
* While systematic efforts are made 
to stamp out tuberculosis in cattle, it 
is strange to find that no public effort 
is made to enulicate the disease among 
men. * * * Such an institution is 
From Medical Sui*t. Toronto Gen- 
eral Hospital. 
Toronto, June 15, 1804. 
I think it very desirable to have a 
separate hospital for consumptive 
patients. * * * 
('. O’Reilly. 35 
THE CITY OF CALGARY 
which has now become a thriving 
town, and will eventually be pushed 
on through the Crow’s Nest 
Pass to the Kootenay country, a 
district possessing gold and silver 
deposits in great richness. There is 
not much timber along this line, but 
first-class coal is found in abundance 
every few miles. On this- prairie 
region there are tens of thousands of 
beef cattle and horses which thrive 
and fatten without artificial shelter or 
food other than the native grasses all 
the year round. There are also many 
good farms. The climate of Alberta is 
very healthful, Alberta air being a 
specific for asthma and incipient 
consumption. On account of the 
length of the summer days and the 
clearness of the atmosphere, there is 
more sunshine in Alberta than any 
part of the United States. In winter 
there is usually a short spell of clear 
frostv, and sometimes real cold 
weather, varving in duration from one 
to two months. There are never any 
cyclones or devastating storms. Only 
once in seven years has there been 
what could be called a blizzard. The 
loss of cattle has not averaged five per 
cent in 10 years, is in fact less than 
in any cattle state in the Union. 
The snow fall is light all over 
Alberta. At Calgary there is not often 
enough of the beautiful to make 
sleighing. Calgary has already 
several important industries, such 
as flour and saw mills, tannery, 
sash and door factory, cold storage, 
foundry, saddlery, etc., etc., and room 
for many more. The streets "and 
buildings are lighted by electricity. 
There are numerous churches, fine 
schools, and the hotels are unsurpass- 
ed by any place of the same size in 
America. There are two live daily 
newspapers giving the telegraph news 
of the world. The city has branches 
of three of the great chartered banks 
of Canada, also private banks. It has 
waterworks, sewer and telephone sys- 
Its Advantageous Situation as a Centre 
of Commerce. 
Calgary, which is the first place 
erected into a city in the Territories of 
Canada, entered its second year of 
city life on the first day of January 
1895, and completed its tenth year 
since first surveyed • as a village site, 
it is the capital of the far famed 
fertile provisional province of Alberta, 
which stretches from north to south 
along tne eastern base of the Rocky 
Mountains for over 400 miles, and 250 
miles from east to west. The site of 
this young city is in a beautiful 
valley. Within the limits of the city 
is the junction of the Bow and Elbow 
Rivers, both of which are rapid 
streams of the purest water, capable 
of furnishing water power for great 
factories, and water to irrigate 
hundreds of thousands of acres of 
land. Calgary is the most important 
trade centre on the main line of the 
Canadian Pacific Railway for 1,400 
miles, between the city of Winnipeg, 
Manitoba, and tke Pacific Coast. 
From Calgary there is aline of railway 
running 200 miles north through an 
exceedingly fertile and rapidly 
settling country, to the prosperous 
town of Edmonton, on the hanks of 
the great Saskatchewan River, 
celebrated for its placer gold bars. It 
is safe to assert that the country along 
this line of railway, to and beyond 
Edmonton for an additional 100 miles 
has no superior on the continent for 
producing hard wheat, barley, oats, 
and a great variety of vegetables and 
grasses. Though it is a prairie country 
there is plenty of timber interspersed 
and coal without limit almost every- 
where. To the north are the greatest 
petroleum beds in the world. From 
Calgary to the south a railway extends 
through fertile, well watered prairie 
lands 100 miles to Old Fort Maeleod, 36 
terns, opera house, and public halls 
and fine business bloccks, built of 
native free stone, which are the pride 
of their owners and the admiration of 
all visitors. It is the central seat of 
justice for All>erta, there l>eing two 
resident judges of the Supreme Court, 
and here is a 100 man post of the North 
West Mounted Police. The principal 
exports of Calgary District up to the 
present are beef cattle, horses, sheep, 
wool, butter, lumber, building stone, 
lime, coal, sashes and doors, cowboy 
saddles, harness, ale, lager beer, malt, 
fine wool blankets, &c. The future of 
Calgary as a great city is well assured 
by the natural richness of the soil in 
the surrounding country and the vast 
beds of Anthracite, Bituminous and 
splendid coking coal with which the 
whole country is underlaid, and which 
crops out in seams of great thickness 
in the banks of the rivers and creeks. 
The gold and silver mines in the 
mountains to the west, which are the 
richest now known in North America, 
combined with other minerals of 
great value, with the Anthracite, 
coking coal and limestone, the 
food produciug character of the 
country, the railway facilities existing, 
soon to be increased, combine to make 
Calgary the best point between the 
oceans for smelting works and con- 
comitant industries. Some of the 
best authorities in Britain, the United 
States and Canada have declared that 
“Denver, Col.,” is not in it with Cal- 
gary in natural advantages for reduc- 
ing and refining works. Calgary with 
its lines of railway shooting out in 
four directions, together with the other 
four lines chartered and subsidized, 
will in a short time, become a great 
railway centre. There are good as- 
surances that a line of railway will 
be built at no distant day from 
Calgary to Fort Churchill on 
the Hudsons Bay. The Alberta 
Southern railway from Calgary, 
connecting with the Canadian Pacific 
and the American transcontinental 
railways, and with the Fort Church- 
hill railway, will place Calgary on the 
shortest route from San Francisco to 
Liverpool by 2,(XX) miles. The Rocky 
Mountain railway and the Red Deer 
Valley railway, which will soon be 
built, will bring in millions of tons of 
coal to be carried bv the Alberta 
Southern railway to the smelters and 
refineries of Montana cities at less than 
half what it now costs those cities for 
coke and Anthracite, in return for 
which Alberta will receive many mill- 
ions of dollars annually. The only 
draw back to the prosperity of Alberta 
is the light rain fall in the southern 
portion during the last four years. 
But this is lieing overcome by the 
numerous small irrigation works that 
have been put in and the large number 
that the farmers are preparing to put 
in, besides extensive irrigation ditches 
have been commenced by companies, 
while others have been surveyed and 
will go on during 1895. In the sum- 
mer of 1894 the Dominion Government 
made a complete survey of Southern 
Alberta and part of Western Assini- 
boia for irrigation. The Dominion 
Parliament, during the session of 1804, 
passed an ample Irrigation Act, and 
the Territorial Assembly passed an 
ordinance for the formation of irriga- 
tion districts on the municipal 
principle The crops produced on the 
land already irrigated have been pro- 
digious and of the flnestqualily. Free 
Government homesteads are to lie 
had by thousands and railway lands 
at very low prices on long time pay- 
ments. The market for dairy and 
farm produce is good, the larger the 
quantity produced the better the 
market. No person should emigrate 
to this country without sufficient cap- 
ital and experience to enable them to 
carry on mixed farming, horse, cattle, 
or sheep ranching, or to go into manu- 
facturing or mining on their own 
account. The labour market is well 37 
supplied except for females for domes- 
tic service. With capital properly ap- 
plied, Alberta is capable of furnishing 
ali the trained horses needed for the 
British Army, all the canned beef for 
the army and the millions of pounds 
of butter at present supplied by Den- 
mark to England. 38 
A LETTER TO W. J. GAGE 
mile of calm water will bo obtained 
for boating purposes. 
One important feature of Calgary 
and its surroundings is the absence of 
the mosquito plague. Though a very 
few mosquitoes mav occasionally lx* 
seen in summer they have never been 
here during the ten years of my 
residence in sufficient numbers to be 
any annoyance and up to this date I 
have not seen or heard one this year. 
There is an entire absence of poison- 
ous reptiles. Though I have heard of 
some common snakes having been 
seen about the quarries,yet during ten 
years residence, going everywhere 
about town and country, I have 
never seen a snake of any kind. 
As an evidence of the purity of the 
air, I have kept rain water in barrels 
from June of one year to June of the 
the next year without causing any 
perceptable smell to the water or gen- 
erating what we used to call wigglers 
in the Province of Ontario'. 
Yours truly, 
Wesley F. Orr. 
Calgary, July 10th, 1895. 
A Number of Advantages That Calgary 
Possesses. 
W. J. Gage, Esquire, Toronto, 
Ontario. 
Dear Sir : I desire to point out a 
few facts in connection with this 
district, in reference to its suitability 
for the proposed Sanatorium which 
have been overlooked by the writers 
for this pamphlet. 
1. Calgary possesses 45 acres of 
beautiful island parks in the 
Bow River. There are three islands 
close together but separated by 
channels of clear water. The islands 
themselves are high and dry with a 
large number of good shade trees. It 
is in contemplation to bridge from the 
main shore and also to bridge the 
dividing channels. 
Plans have been made for darning 
the Bow River below where it receives 
the Elbow River so that a stretch of a Since this date several largp buildings have been erected in the city, including two large Hospitals, JPost Office, and a number of business blocks and private residences. The majority of the new structures are b> j 'algary freestone. 
C A L CA_R_V_ ]_N_ 15 9 2.