REPORT 
ON THE 
TOPOGRAPHY, BOTANY, CLIMATOLOGY, 
AND 
Diseases of Surprise and Goose Lake Valleys. 
By 
GEORGE M. KOBER, M.D., U. S. A., 
Fort Bidwell; Modoc County correspondent of the Board. Supplemented by extracts from Reports 
of W. Matthews, M.R., U. S. A., Wm. H. Patterson, M.D., Cedarville, 
and John M. Forrest, M.D., Alturas, Modoc County. 
Reprinted from the Ninth Biennial Report of the State Board of Health. 
SACRAMENTO: 
STATE OFFICE JAMES J. AYERS, SUPT. STATE PRINTING. 
1886. REPORT 
ON THE 
TOPOGRAPHY, BOTANY, CLIMATOLOGY, 
AND 
Diseases of Surprise and Goose Lake Valleys. 
By 
GEORGE M’ KOBER, M.D., U. S. A., 
Fort Bidwell; Modoc County correspondent of the Board. Supplemented by extracts from Reports 
of W. Matthews, M.t). U. S. A., Wm. H. Patterson, M.D., Cedarville, 
and John M. Forrest, M.D., Alturas, Modoc County. 
Reprinted from the Ninth Biennial Report of the State Board of Health 
SACRAMENTO, CAL. 
STATE OFFICE JAMES J. AYERS, SUPT. STATE PRINTING, 
1886. I, REPORT ON THE TOPOGRAPHY, BOTANY, CLIMATOLOGY, 
AND 
DISEASES OF SURPRISE AND GOOSE LAKE VALLEYS, 
By George M. Kober, M.D., IT. S. A., Fort Bidwell; Modoc County correspondent of the 
Board. Supplemented by extracts from Reports of W. Matthews, M.D., 
U. S. A., Wm. H. Patterson, M.D., Cedarville, and John 
M. Forrest, M.D., Alturas, Modoc County. 
In my description of the topography of this section, I shall confine myself 
to two important valleys of Modoc County, geographically known as Sur- 
prise and Goose Lake Valleys. 
Surprise Valley is situated on the eastern slope of the Warner Mountains, 
extending almost north and south, about sixty miles in length and from 
six to eight miles in width. A high divide on the north separates this 
valley from Warner Valley, Oregon; on the west from Goose Lake Valley; 
on the south a long canon connects it with the sagebrush plains of Nevada, 
and on the east a lower range of mountains separates it from Coleman and 
Long Valleys in Nevada. It is a monoclinal valley, of moderately inclined 
beds of a plutonic outflow. The strata dip towards the Sierra Nevadas, west- 
ward; the elevation of the valley above the sea level is four thousand six 
hundred and eighty feet. The Warner Mountains, like the great Sierra 
Nevadas, of which they are doubtless a portion, have a slate base, and 
superimposed are strata of quartz. Sandstone also abounds near the 
surface, and forms the greater portion of the lower range of hills. The 
average elevation of these mountains is about six thousand feet, although 
some of the peaks, as Mount Bidwell, attain the respectable height of 
nearly eight thousand feet above the level of the sea, and remain snow-clad 
until the middle of July. 
Surprise Valley is destitute of timber, but the numerous ravines and 
canons traversing the mountains contain fine forests of pine and cedar. 
The soil is composed of disintegrated basalt, sand, and clay, and is very 
fertile. Below this soil is found a bed of gravel of variable depth. Most 
of the wells are sunk through a deposit of gravel, from fifteen to thirty feet 
in depth, when “hard pan” is reached, which may be a clay bank or a 
peculiar sandstone formation. 
The valley contains three lakes, of about equal size, known as the Upper, 
Middle, and Lower Lakes, their combined area being about one hundred 
square miles. These lakes have no outlet, and desiccation has concentrated 
the salts in all of them. The water is intensely alkaline to the taste. They 
are shallow for a considerable distance from the shores, and receive their 
water supply from the numerous streams of the Warner Mountains. The 
Middle and Lower Lakes have been known to dry up completely during 
several dry seasons, revealing a deposit of fine alkaline mud, which, when 
desiccated, looks white; and in the distance the former lake bed presents 
the appearance of a beautiful sheet of water. The water, doubtless, con- 
tains a large percentage of magnesia, sodium, soda, chlorine, sulphuric 
acid, and carbonate of lime. It is needless to observe that the lakes are 4 
not habitable by fishes, their only animal population being crustaeea and 
the larvse of insects. 
The east side of the valley affords but very few water channels, as the 
eruptive hills or table lands are rather low, and do not condense much snow 
and moisture. Owing to this fact, and the comparative absence of erosive 
action, the eastern half, unlike the western half of the valley, has no rich 
alluvial deposits, and the soil is strongly impregnated with alkaline salts 
towards the lake, while the higher portions are composed of a mixture of 
sand and clay, which supports a more or less luxuriant growth of artemisia 
(sagebrush). 
The town of Fort Bidwell is located about eight miles from the southern 
boundary of Oregon, and the same distance from Nevada, in latitude 42° 
10' north, longitude 43° 12' west. The site is at least two miles north of 
the upper lake, on a gravelly slope which gradually ascends towards the 
foothills. A beautiful mountain stream drains the locality. This stream 
near its terminus, however, becomes sluggish, and in the course of time has 
deposited an immense amount of debris, and thus formed a peninsula, 
which extends for a mile and a half into the lake. The character of this 
land is essentially a “ swamp,” covered with typha latifolia. Numerous 
small ponds and sloughs are also observed. With this exception, the lower 
lands on the north and west side of the lake are natural meadows, and yield 
an excellent quality of grass. Some families live in these meadows, their 
wells being only from five to eight feet in depth. The higher lands <are 
well adapted for agriculture, and in some localities require artificial moist- 
ure. Numerous fruit trees, consisting of apples, plums, pears, and peaches 
have been successfully cultivated and yield fine crops in the order named. 
The town of Lake City is situated on the foothills, near the southwestern 
end of the upper lake; Cedarville at the mouth of a beautiful canon west 
of the middle lake, and Eagleville near a canon west of the lower lake. In 
these and other localities, the mountain streams have washed immense 
deposits into the lake, and thereby formed deltas of variable extent, accord- 
ing to the erosive power of the streams. Numerous farms are scattered 
throughout the valley, but more especially along the western half of the 
valley. The combined population of the valley is about three thousand. 
The. scenery, notwithstanding the shallow shores of the lakes, presents 
many elements of beauty, combining, as it does, mountain and water 
scenery with a clear atmosphere and a good sprinkling of verdure. No 
wonder that the early pioneers of California, in their overland travel 
across the sagebrush plains of Nevada, upon their emergence through “ ’49 
Canon,” were suddenly impressed with its beauty, and named it “ Surprise 
Valley.” 
Goose Lake Valley is located on the western slope of the Warner Moun- 
tains, and is about fifty-five miles in length, and twelve miles in width ; 
elevation above the level oi the sea, four thousand eight hundred feet. The 
valley extends nearly north and south, and is bounded on the east by the 
Warner Mountains, already described ; on the west by eruptive hills of no 
great elevation, which, sixty miles further west, are known as the “ lava 
beds,” and former stronghold of the Modoc Indians. To the north, the 
valley is cut off by the watershed of the Chewaucan, and to the south by 
that of the Pitt River. It contains a fine sheet of water, known as Goose 
Lake, which is thirty miles in length, and about ten miles in width. The 
lake is shallow for a long distance from its northern, southern, and eastern 
shores, and has no outlet, but a slight elevation would connect it with the 
watershed of the Pitt River in the south. It receives its water supply from 5 
numerous mountain streams, notably from the Warner Range on the east, 
which maintain it in a more or less fresh condition. The water is slightly 
alkaline to the taste, hut the lake abounds in fishes and water birds. The 
lakes of Oregon, Nevada, and California diminish in alkalinity as we 
approach the Sierra Nevadas. Goose Lake has never been known to dry 
up, although, during prolonged dry seasons, and, in fact, to a limited 
extent every Summer and Autumn, the water falls sufficiently to expose a 
vast tract of land on the southern and northern shores. 
The scenery of this valley and lake presents many elements of beauty. 
The soil and geological formation is similar to that of Surprise Valley, with 
perhaps a larger admixture of clay. The best soil is found on the eastern 
half of the valley, or west slope of the Warner Mountains, owing, doubtless, 
to the erosive action of the elements and mountain torrents on the volcanic 
rocks which abound in this range., The soil of the west side of the*valley 
is a mixture of clay and sand, impregnated with alkali, and supports a 
luxuriant growth of sagebrush. Along some of the watercourses on that 
side the soil is more fertile. The principal settlement is at Davis Creek, 
on a gradual slope towards the southeastern shores of the lake. Here the 
action of Davis Creek has formed a peninsula, which extends two and 
one half to three miles into the lake. This hamlet is about twenty-five 
miles in a northeastern direction from Alturas, the county seat. Another 
thrifty settlement, known as Willow Ranch, is located about fourteen miles 
north of Davis Creek; and still another settlement on New Pine Creek, ten 
miles north of the latter place, and close to the Oregon boundary line. 
The various mountain streams, especially those in the localities mentioned, 
have carried immense deposits into the lake and formed numerous deltas. 
This new formation is more or less marshy, and portions of it are covered 
with tules, but the land lying somewhat higher, is good meadow land, and 
the higher tracts, as in Surprise Valley, are specially adapted for the 
production of cereals, requiring not infrequently irrigation, especially 
for garden produce. Numerous settlements are scattered throughout the 
valley, some occupying the low lands, but most of the settlers have built 
their premises on the western slope of the Warner Mountains. It will be 
observed that Surprise Valley is bounded with low mountains on the east 
and high mountains on the west, while the inverse condition obtains in 
Goose Lake Valley. In consequence thereof, the latter valley receives a 
larger precipitation of snow and moisture, and is more exposed to the pre- 
vailing winds from the west. The arrangement of the mountains, the con- 
sequent water supply and fertility of fhe soil, also influences the settlement 
of the two valleys. While in Surprise Valley most of the settlements are 
in the west half of the valley, the majority of the people in Goose Lake 
Valley have selected the eastern half. The combined population is prob- 
ably over two thousand. 
Both valleys contain numerous thermal springs,, especially Surprise Val- 
ley; some of these are very justly believed to possess medicinal properties. 
The alkaline taste and temperature of the water, 100° Fahrenheit, point to 
desirable properties in the treatment of rheumatic affections. Unfortunately 
no analysis has been made. 
In this connection I wish to invite attention to the desirability of placing 
sufficient funds at the disposal of the State Board of Health or the State 
Analyst to furnish reliable analyses of such springs, wherever located 
throughout the State, in order that the physician, ever active in the inter- 
ests of the people, may at least be enabled to give an honest opinion, when 
asked, about the “internal use ” of such waters. 6 
I need scarcely mention that an analysis of the alkaline lakes in Sur- 
prise Valley might benefit the resources of the State by inducing enter- 
prising capitalists to utilize these waters in the manufacture of chemicals. 
II, BOTANY OF SURPRISE AND GOOSE LAKE VALLEYS. 
List of plants collected and analyzed during the Summer of 1878, in the 
vicinity of Fort Bidwell, California, by Assistant Surgeon W. Matthews, 
United States Army: 
Ranunculacese. 
Thalictrum Feudleri, woods near sawmill. 
Ranifhculus Cymbalavia, near hospital. 
Ranunculus glaberrimus, wet ground on mountain side, beyond Horan’s Ranch. 
Ranunculus Nelsonii, near spring, behind officers’ quarters. 
Ranunculus Californica, foothills. 
Aquilegia truncata, valley near stream, south of reservation. 
Delphinium decorum, beyond sawmill, and elsewhere. 
Pseonia Brownii, foothill, behind officers’ quarters, and common elsewhere. 
Berberidacese. 
Berberis repens, common in the woods everywhere; has similar medicinal properties to 
Berberis Aqufolium—Oregon Grape. 
Erysenium asperum, near sawmill. 
Crucifer x. 
Viulacex. 
Viola aurea, foothills. 
Viola Nuttallii, foothills, and near post. 
Viola cucullata, common in damp places. 
Viola Beckwithii, a variety with lower petals, partly blue, on dry, sandy ground, north 
of the village. 
Stellaria longipes, wood along Willow Creek. 
Stellaria borealis, wood along Willow Creek. 
Arenaria Douglassii, wood along Willow Creek. 
Caryophyllaceie. 
Portulaccacex. 
Claytonia Chamissonis, near stream west of post. 
Lewisia Rediviva, on dry ground north of village 
Malvastrum. 
Malvacex. 
Linacex. 
Linum perenne, in the Government pasture. 
Geraniacese. 
Geranium Carolinianum, along the streams. 
Rhamnaceae. 
Cseanothus velutinus, common in the woods and on the mountain sides, and forming 
the most tangled underwood on the warmer mountains. 
Cseanothus prostratus, common in the woods and on the mountain sides, and forming 
the most tangled underwood on the warmer mountains. More common than the cseano- 
thus velutinus. 
Leguminosse. 
Hosackia Purshiava, in shady places. 
Dalea. 
Astragalus Purshii, common in dry situations. 
Lathyrus Nevadensis, Goose Lake Valley. 
Lapinus albicaulis, foothills. 
Lapinus rivularis, foothills. 7 
Rosacex. 
Rosa Californica, common. 
Prunus subcordata, foothills. 
Prunus emarginata, foothills. 
Prunus Andersonii, foothills. 
Prunus demissa, foothills. 
Purshia tridentata, foothills, near hospital, etc. 
Cercocarpus ledifolias, sides of mountains. 
G6um trifiorum, shady places in the mountains. 
Potentilla anserina, in the bottom lands. 
Potentilla gracilis, in the bottom lands. 
Crataegus rivularis, valley of stream one half mile west of post. 
Amelanchier canadensis, borders of all streams in and near the mountains, etc. 
Amelanchier alnifolia, borders of all streams in and near the mountains, etc. 
Saxifragacex. 
Tellenia parviflora, hill behind officers’ quarters. 
Ribes divaricatum, southwest corner of Government pasture. 
Ribes cereum, rocks at bridge on road to sawmill. 
Ribes sanguineum, deep woods on mountains, one thousand to two thousand feet above 
valley. 
Ribes auream, along the mountain streams, and in the fields east of the village. 
Onagracex. 
Oenothera biennis, parade ground, etc. 
Epilobiam paniculatum, near streams. 
Epilobiam minutum, near streams. 
Gayophytum romosissimum, dry situations. 
Godetia viminea, foothills, near hospital. 
Boisduvalia densiflora, fields east of village. 
Cornus Californica, banks of streams, common. 
Cornacese. 
Caprifoliacex. 
Symphoricarpus racemosus, in mountains. 
Rubiaceae. 
Galium triflorum, common, near streams. 
Galium boreale, common, near streams. 
Compositx. 
Archillaea millifolium, in grassy places. 
Artemisia ludoviciana, in desert places, common forms of “ sagebrush.” 
Artemisia tridentata, in desert places, common forms of “ sagebrush.” 
Cnicus occidentalis, foothills, near post. 
Troximon glaucum, on parade grounds, etc. 
Taraxacum dens-leonis, on the bottom, between the post and the village, some old resi- 
dents say, “ in 1878, that it was unknown here three or four years ago. Appears to become 
more frequent every year.” (Kober.) 
Ericaceae. 
Pyrola picta, in deep pine forests, one thousand to two or three thousand feet above the 
valley. 
Pyrola aphylla, in deep pine forests, one thousand to two or three thousand feet above 
the valley. 
Primulacex. 
Dodecatheon Meadia, two or three varieties in moist open situations in the hills. 
Gomphocarpus cordifolias, seen only in one locality on hillside, just north of creek 
about a mile and a half southwest of hospital. 
Asclepiodacea;. 
Gentiana affinis, on Lassen’s Creek, Goose Lake Valley. 
Frasera albicoaulis, Goose Lake Valley. 
Gentianaceee. 
Polemoriacex. 
Phlox csespitosa, foothills. 
Collomia grandifiora, foothills, west of post. 8 
Ihjdrophyllacex. 
Hydrophyllum capitatum, in ravine, half a mile west of post. 
Nemophila parviflora, at the spring in rear of officers’ quarters, and many other places. 
Phacelia cirinata, near Jopp’s ranch, etc. 
Phacelia Menziesii, foothills, immediately west of officers’ quarters. 
Heliotropium carassavicuin, foothills. 
Lithos permam pilosum, on bottom lands and foothills. 
Mertensia sibirica, woods, common. 
Eritrichium Californicuin, near race track. 
Echinos permum Redowskii, on roadsides in the village. 
Borraginacese. 
Petunia parviflora, parade ground, hospital grounds, etc. 
Solanacex. 
Scrophulariacex. 
Collinsia parviflora, common in valley and foothills. 
Pentstemon duestus, Government pasture, a dwarf variety, found near the summit of 
Mt. Bidwell. 
Pentstemon confertus, foothills, about a mile and a half southwest of post. 
Pentstemon laetus, foothills, about a mile and a half southwest of post. 
Mimulus manus, foothills. 
Mimulus luteus, Jopp’s hot spring and other places. 
Mimulus primaloides, summits of Warner Mountains. 
Veronica Americana, in the pasture between the post and village. 
Veronica serpyllifolia, in the pasture between the post and village. 
Castilleia parviflora, mountains. 
Castilleia mineata, Government pasture, etc. 
LabinUe. 
Scutellaria nana. This very rare plant was feund on the first bench of the foothills, 
about a mile southwest of post. 
Chenopodiacx. 
Chenopodium album, in cultivated grounds. 
Orchidacex. 
Cypripedium! candidum (?), perhaps a variety of C. candidum, found only in a very 
limited locality, just south of the road to Goose Lake, about two hundred yards beyond 
the old sawmill. 
Fritillaria pudica, seen about the first of April in the valley, various parts near post, 
and early in June on the summit of the mountains. 
Scilla esculenta, near the lake. 
Smilacina stellata, in moist woods. 
Smilacina racemosa, in moist woods. 
Liliacese. 
III. CLIMATOLOGY OF SURPRISE AND GOOSE LAKE VALLEYS. 
1. Temperature. 
Table No. 1 covers a period of twenty years, and may be regarded as an 
established standard of the climate of this beautiful mountain valley of 
California. It is my impression that the climate of Goose Lake Valley 
does not materially differ from that of Surprise Valley, except that it 
receives a larger amount of precipitation of moisture, in the form of snow, 
during the Winter months. 
It will be observed that the mean temperature for twenty years is 50.3° 
F. This, however, should not mislead the reader, since a close analysis 
will at once indicate that the amount of heat is by no means equably dis- 
tributed, and this would be still more apparent could the columns and 9 
pages of individual observations be presented here. October, as regards 
temperature, is the typical month of the year. The mean temperature of 
this month for twenty years differs but two degrees from the mean annual 
temperature for the same period. 
The highest temperature observed in any one month was 100° F., in July, 
1876; and the next highest 99°, in August, 1870 and 1879. The lowest 
temperature in any one month was 19° below zero, in February, 1884. 
Absolute range during a period of twenty years, 119°. July and August 
are the hottest months in the year, and January, February, and December 
the coldest months. Frosts occur late in the Spring and early in the Fall. 
A study of the tables, especially of No. 3, will indicate that a striking 
peculiarity of this climate is the extreme range of temperature, particularly 
noticeable during the months of July, August, September, and October. 
A daily variation of 50° is not uncommon, and even a daily range of 62° 
has been observed in August. 
This excessive diurnal variation is intimately connected with the dry- 
ness of the atmosphere. The absence of watery vapor permits the surface 
of the earth to be rapidly heated by the rays of the sun, and likewise favors 
rapid radiation after the maximum is reached. As a result, we have often 
very warm days, and excessively cool nights—a very important feature of 
this climate from a sanitary point of view. In my discussion of some of 
the prevalent diseases of the community, I will have an opportunity to 
point out the relations of cause and effect. ' It may be, because the greater 
portion of my professional life has been spent at mountainous posts on the 
middle and northern plateau, where extreme ranges of temperature are 
especially observed, that I have become oblivious to other conditions by 
assuming that the great changes in temperature are the chief cause of a 
certain class of diseases. I shall endeavor, however, to present the facts 
and opinion unbiased, not doubting for a moment that elsewhere other 
factors may and do enter into the production of disease, and that I may be 
entirely wrong in my interpretation of the relations between this climate 
and some of the prevalent diseases. 
2. Precipitation. 
An analysis of the meteorological tables with reference to the amount of 
precipitation, will indicate that the “rainy season” during the Winter and 
Spring months is fairly well defined, and the amount of precipitation in 
the form of snow is frequently excessive. 
During the Summer and Fall, or the “ dry season,” the amount of pre- 
cipitation is hardly appreciable; whole months often pass without bringing 
us a shower. Dews are rarely, if ever, observed. When it is sufficiently 
cool at night to condense the little moisture that is in the atmosphere, with- 
out precipitation in the form of rain or snow, it is deposited in the shape of 
frost. 
The dryness of the atmosphere is partly accounted for by the elevation, 
hut more especially the geographical location of the valley, since the pre- 
vailing winds from the west naturally condense most of their moisture 
upon the western slope of the Sierra Nevadas; but there seems to be a 
remarkable drying power in the atmosphere of California, as shown by the 
frequent absorption of clouds. I have observed time and time again, even 
during the dry season, an ample supply of clouds and a good prospect for 
rain, only to be disappointed by the thirsty air. 
Table No. 3 shows the relative humidity from July 1, 1885, to June 30, 10 
1886, saturation being one hundred. The months of June, July, August, 
September, and even October, show the lowest relative humidity, and these 
are also the warmest months, and characterized by extreme daily ranges of 
temperature. The rainy season begins in the second half of October, and 
the relative humidity continues to rise until January, and then gradually 
decreases; exceptions are, however, frequently noted. It will be observed 
that the mean humidity for the year is only 57.7 per cent. Professor 
Parkes observes, p. 88, Vol. II: “The most agreeable amount of humidity 
to most healthy people is when the relative humidity is between seventy 
and eighty per cent. In chronic lung diseases, however, a very moist air 
is generally most agreeable and allays cough.” 
In the article on catarrhal affections, it will be shown that the greatest 
frequency of these disorders coincides with that of the greatest relative 
humidity, which, during the months mentioned, may for a few days amount 
to complete saturation. 
3. Wind. 
The prevailing direction of the wind is south and west, and is seldom 
observed to blow from other points, although during the severe cold weather, 
the wind usually comes from the north and northwest. As will be seen 
from Table No. 4, it is rarely violent in force, yet a gentle breeze can be 
nearly always observed. The maximum velocity for twenty-four hours 
generally occurs shortly after midnight and noon. It comes from the 
south during the day and from the west during the night. 
4. Electricity. 
Observers of this phenomena must have noticed a sensible increase in 
the number and violence of thunder storms on this coast within the past 
few years; this is especially noticeable during the present year, many of 
them nearly equaling an eastern thunder storm in the display of atmos- 
pheric electricity. 
Two cloudbursts occurred in the Warner Range of mountains near 
Lake City and Eagleville, during the month of July, 1886, the water rush- 
ing down, carrying with it a large amount of debris, rocks, trees, etc. 11 
TABLE No. 1. 
Meteorological Report of Fort Bidwell, California, from July, 1866, to June 30,1886. 
Months. 
Temperature. 
Prevailing 
Wind 
Rainfall in 
Inches 
Temperature. 
Prevailing 
Wind 
M £ 
E £• 
o SL 
Mean. 
Max. 
Min. 
Mean. 
Max. 
Min. 
1866-67. 
1867-68. 
July 
75.6 
96 
51 
s. 
.10 
August - 
71.3 
94 
54 
W. 
.12 
75.6 
93 
61 
s.w. 
.28 
September 
65.4 
90 
37 
N.W. 
.00 
62.4 
88 
52 
s.w. 
.56 
October 
51.0 
77 
28 
S. 
.20 
49.3 
71 
29 
s.w. 
.16 
November 
43.1 
72 
25 
s. 
.76 
37.3 
59 
26 
w. 
.72 
December 
35.4 
47 
19 
s. 
1.16 
52.7 
55 
9 
s.w. 
1.64 
January 
32.4 
51 
15 
N. 
2.40 
10.2 
40 
— 18 
N. 
.70 
February 
31.3 
48 
12 
N. 
.96 
14.9 
43 
— 18 
N. 
.08 
March 
20.6 
51 
0 
N. 
1.34 
33.3 
58 
14 
W. 
.80 
April - . 
42.7 
69 
30 
w. 
1.20 
May 
59.3 
77 
43 
S. 
.00 
52.8 
83 
30 
N.W. 
.50 
June 
68.6 
92 
44 
s. 
.12 
61.9 
85 
35 
s. 
.82 
For the year 
48.4 
94 
0 
s. 
7.06 
47.4 
96 
— 18 
s.w. 
7.56 
1868-69. 
1869-70. 
July 
71.2 
95 
50 
s.w. 
.00 
73.1 
94 
51 
s.w. 
.14 
August - 
71.8 
93 
57 
w. 
.00 
71.0 
97 
50 
s.w. 
.02 
September 
61.6 
87 
45 
w. 
.04 
60.7 
85 
36 
s.w. 
.90 
October 
53.3 
79 
28 
s.w. 
.01 
50.5 
78 
31 
w. 
.00 
November 
40.3 
66 
19 
s. 
.16 
43.0 
74 
24 
s.w. 
2.37 
December 
35.0 
65 
16 
s.w. 
1.80 
31.4 
57 
10 
s. 
2.30 
January 
32.1 
51 
10 
N.W. 
3.80 
31.6 
55 
2 
s.w. 
2.71 
February 
30.8 
44 
5 
s. 
.08 
35.9 
61 
6 
s. 
2.30 
March. 
41.0 
67 
23 
s. 
1.40 
35.7 
63 
4 
s.w. 
1.60 
49.6 
85 
30 
s.w 
.96 
49.7 
78 
18 
s.w. 
1.41 
May 
60.4 
87 
41 
s.w. 
.14 
58.4 
91 
27 
s.w. 
1.43 
June 
70.8 
97 
54 
s.w. 
.04 
64.9 
89 
33 
w. 
.68 
For the year 
51.5 
97 
5 
s.w. 
8.43 
50.5 
97 
2 
s.w. 
15.86 
1870-71. 
1871-72. 
July 
76.4 
96 
44 
s. 
.76 
72.9 
92 
43 
w. 
.76 
August 
74.2 
99 
38 
s. 
.05 
72.9 
91 
39 
w. 
.02 
September 
64.8 
88 
33 
s.w. 
.00 
61.6 
84 
28 
w. 
.40 
< >ctober 
49.4 
79 
22 
s.w. 
.03 
49.4 
79 
22 
s.w. 
.20 
November 
39.1 
67 
21 
s.w. 
1.05 
35.8 
61 
15 
s.w. 
1.58 
December 
21.7 
47 
— 8 
s.w. 
4.55 
35.1 
53 
12 
s.w. 
3.25 
January 
31.3 
46 
5 
s. 
1.22 
31.2 
50 
7 
s.w. 
1.16 
February 
33.7 
52 
17 
w. 
.92 
37.4 
56 
7 
s.w. 
3.97 
March 
37.0 
58 
4 
w. 
1.00 
40.2 
60 
21 
s.w. 
1.32 
April 
45.0 
70 
9 
w. 
.00 
40.5 
68 
19 
s. 
.77 
May 
50.8 
84 
22 
w. 
1.94 
57.6 
82 
28 
s. 
1.82 
June 
70.2 
94 
31 
w. 
.16 
67.7 
89 
40 
s. 
.06 
For the year 
49.5 
99 
— 8 
w. 
11.68 
50.2 
92 
7 
s.w. 
15.31 Meteorological Report of Fort Bidwell—Continued. 
12 
Months. 
Temperature. 
Prevailing 
Wind 
Bainfall in 
Inches 
Temperature. 
Prevailing 
Wind 
o — 
Mean. 
Max. 
Min. 
Mean. 
Max. 
Min. 
1872-73. 
1873-74. 
July 
70.5 
93 
38 
S. 
.00 
73.8 
90 
43 
S. 
.14 
August 
00.2 
93 
45 
s. 
.20 
70.7 
94 
38 
s. 
.21 
September 
50.9 
83 
29 
s. 
1.18 
01.5 
85 
24 
s. 
.40 
October 
50.8 
75 
27 
s. 
.40 
44.8 
70 
12 
s. 
.03 
November 
32.1 
52 
9 
s. 
1.09 
40.2 
57 
20 
s. 
1.14 
December 
32.1 
46 
7 
s. 
1.94 
24.8 
41 
— 15 
s. 
3.29 
January 
35.4 
50 
15 
s. 
2.22 
27.7 
48 
5 
N. 
1.51 
February 
27.8 
42 
4 
s. 
1.00 
25.1 
49 
1 
s. 
1.07 
March 
41.2 
07 
13 
s. 
.00 
30.8 
50 
9 
s. 
1.05 
April 
42.5 
72 
15 
s. 
2.06 
43.8 
07 
25 
s. 
1.12 
May - 
51.5 
80 
27 
s. 
.78 
55.4 
80 
30 
s. 
.04 
June 
04.1 
85 
32 
s. 
.10 
59.1 
80 
34 
s. 
1.00 
For the year 
47.8 
93 
4 
s. 
12.95 
40.5 
90 
— 15 
s. 
12.26 
1874-75. 
1875-76. 
J uly 
75.5 
95 
48 
s. 
.05 
74.7 
94 
41 
w. 
.00 
August - 
57.0 
80 
45 
s. 
.27 
72.3 
92 
39 
w. 
.05 
September 
01.0 
85 
31 
s. 
.00 
05.2 
87 
39 
w. 
.00 
51 1 
70 
20 
s. 
.37 
59 2 
87 
32 
s. 
1.80 
November 
36.3 
51 
10 
s. 
1.37 
38.4 
05 
25 
s.w. 
2.02 
December 
30.2 
52 
10 
s. 
.13 
37.2 
01 
20 
s. 
1.54 
January 
20.9 
43 
— 4 
s. 
2.10 
30.0 
03 
2 
s. 
1.88 
February 
28.4 
40 
0 
s. 
.07 
34.8 
70 
12 
s. 
.32 
March 
33.0 
55 
18 
w. 
2.15 
38.8 
80 
9 
w. 
.80 
April 
50.7 
78 
12 
w. 
.45 
50.4 
80 
18 
w. 
.53 
May - 
55.1 
75 
30 
w. 
1.30 
54.0 
80 
25 
S.E. 
.98 
June - - 
03.1 
88 
29 
w. 
1.00 
07.3 
97 
33 
s. 
.43 
For the year.- 
47.4 
95 
— 4 
s. 
9.20 
51.7 
97 
2 
w. 
10.95 
1870-77. 
1877-78. 
July 
07.4 
100 
39 
s.w. 
.11 
72.0 
90 
40 
w. 
.10 
August 
01.2 
90 
38 
s. 
.00 
09.3 
95 
42 
w. 
.35 
September 
02.2 
91 
39 
s. 
.00 
01.0 
91 
40 
w. 
.10 
< >ctober 
49.4 
87 
20 
s. 
3.48 
51.9 
80 
20 
s.w. 
.80 
November 
32.0 
56 
12 
s. 
4.32 
44.7 
00 
27 
w. 
3.03 
December 
20.0 
54 
5 
N. 
.25 
33.9 
57 
2 
s.w. 
.35 
January 
20.4 
05 
— 10 
N. 
2.00 
29.0 
45 
— 4 
s.w. 
.75 
February 
38.0 
09 
13 
s. 
3.30 
35.7 
53 
10 
s.w. 
4.05 
March 
43.2 
80 
18 
s. 
3.28 
45.1 
70 
20 
s.w. 
2.35 
April 
47.0 
82 
20 
s. 
2.14 
48.9 
79 
25 
s.w. 
1.05 
May 
50.7 
80 
32 
s. 
4.00 
55.4 
83 
30 
s. 
.82 
June 
00.8 
87 
38 
s. 
2.00 
08.1 
90 
40 
w. 
.20 
For the year 
47.2 
100 
— 10 
s. 
25.54 
51.3 
98 
— 4 
s.w. 
14.45 13 
Meteorological Report of Fort Bidwell—Continued. 
Temperature. 
S3 
w 
Temperature. 
_3 
ft) 
Months. 
r* r’ 
5' 2;. 
a? 
r* 
Mean. 
Max. 
Min. 
Mean. 
Max. 
Min. 
h- — 
1 av 
! S 
j jq 
j = 
1878-79. 
1879-80. 
July 
71.9 
93 
41 
s. 
.25 
71.8 
96 
41 
W. 
.30 
August 
73.9 
90 
44 
w. 
' .37 
73.8 
99 
45 
s. 
.30 
61.0 
89 
36 
w. 
.70 
05.0 
91 
34 
s. 
.10 
October 
50.4 
78 
22 
w. 
.30 
50.9 
77 
28 
w. 
.03 
42.8 
66 
18 
s. 
.25 
41.7 
70 
17 
s. 
1 (X) 
December 
32.0 
57 
6 
s. 
.20 
30.4 
59 
— 8 
s.w. 
.95 
January 
30.0 
07 
0 
s.w. 
1.00 
31.2 
60 
1 
s.w. 
s. 
1 20 
41.1 
01 
15 
s. 
2.80 
31.6 
54 
6 
1.10 
March 
40.1 
84 
99 
w. 
.95 
42.7 
03 
17 
s. 
.86 
April ..1 
50.0 
26 
s. 
.90 
47.3 
72 
24 
s. 
2.96 
May 
49.2 
70 
31 
s.w. 
1.40 
49.9 
77 
31 
s. 
2.76 
June 
02.5 
90 
38 
s.w. 
.15 
1 65.4 
85 
40 
s. 
.26 
For the year __ 
50.0 
96 
0 
s. & 
w. 
9.33 
1 50.2 
99 
— 8 
s. 
12.42 
1880-81. 
1881-82. 
July 
73.2 
91 
45 
s. 
.72 
71.7 
95 
48 
s.w. 
.32 
August 
09.9 
89 
41 
s. 
.42 
79 9 
97 
44 
s.w. 
.10 
September 
05.7 
80 
38 
s. 
.05 
04.7 
90 
42 
s.w. 
.24 
October _ 
57.8 
78 
26 
s. 
.50 
49.2 
79 
24 
s.w. 
3.55 
November 
37.5 
67 
14 
N. 
.50 
41.2 
65 
22 
s.w. 
2.87 
December 
38.8 
66 
20 
s. 
1.83 
37.9 
63 
18 
s.w. 
3.40 
January 
34.9 
64 
21 
s. 
2.18 
33.9 
04 
4 
s.w. 
3.44 
February 
41.8 
08 
10 
s.w. 
2 40 
20.4 
49 
— 12 
s.w. 
2.82 
March .. 
44.5 
22 
N.W. 
37.3 
64 
20 
s.w. 
1.46 
April . 
55.9 
80 
35 
s.w. 
3.02 
45.9 
75 
26 
s.w. 
1.72 
May 
02.0 
87 
34 
w. 
1.78 
50.0 
82 
29 
s.w. 
.64 
June 
65.4 
90 
39 
s.w. 
1.59 
65.5 
85 
36 
w. 
.38 
For the year 
53.9 
91 
14 
s. 
15.80 
50.1 
97 
— 12 
s.w. 
20.94 
1882-83. 
1883-84. 
July 
73.4 
92 
30 
w. 
.10 
73.8 
90 
50 
N.W. 
.00 
August 
72.1 
93 
44 
w. 
.00 
09.0 
87 
43 
N.W. 
.00 
September 
01.9 
85 
34 
w. 
.48 
65.6 
85 
42 
N.W. 
.00 
40.1 
68 
24 
w. 
2.73 
47.8 
70 
27 
N.W. 
1.18 
November 
35.4 
62 
8 
N.W. 
.92 
42.4 
68 
13 
N.W. 
1.14 
December 
37.8 
70 
— 1 
w. 
3.03 
38.0 
71 
18 
N.W. 
1.06 
January 
29.4 
54 
— 18 
w. 
2.04 
33.0 
50 
5 
N.W. 
1.14 
February 
28.8 
57 
— 9 
N.W. 
.04 
31.0 
68 
- 19 
N.W. 
2.90 
March 
49.3 
70 
27 
w. 
.70 
37.4 
03 
15 
N.W. 
.72 
44.0 
07 
22 
w. 
1.56 
44.2 
77 
28 
S.W. 
.68 
50.0 
78 
27 
N.W. 
1.30 
50.0 
28 
N.W. 
.40 
June 
60.7 
87 
41 
N.W. 
.00 
58.4 
81 
37 
N.W. 
4.29 
For the year . 
50.2 
93 
— 18 
W. 
13.62 
49.8 
90 
— 19 
N.W. 
13.57 14 
Meteorological Report of Fort Bidwell—Continued. 
Months. 
Temperature. 
Temperature. 
jy 
3 5' 
Mean. 
Max. 
Min. 
o- sr. 
1 3 
| crs 
3* 5* 
a S 
Mean. 
Max. 
Min. 
| era 
cr & 
1884-85. 
1885-86. 
July 
63.9 
82 
41 
N.W. 
.40 
70.6 
90 
49 
N. 
.38 
August 
70.0 
88 
43 
N.W. 
.08 
72.4 
94 
53 
S. 
.00 
September 
53.7 
77 
30 
N.W. 
1.55 
64.0 
88 
33 
S. 
.09 
October 
52.8 
78 
25 
N.W. 
.73 
57.6 
86 
28 
w. 
.41 
November 
46.2 
70 
29 
N.W. 
.00 
41.1 
74 
20 
w. 
1.28 
December 
38.8 
58 
2 
N. 
4.10 
32.2 
69 
15 
w. 
1.05 
January 
35.7 
57 
3 
N. 
1.06 
32.2 
55 
2 
s. 
5.91 
February 
53.2 
66 
21 
N. 
2.66 
42.8 
64 
21 
w. 
1.22 
March 
46.7 
75 
20 
N. 
.12 
41.0 
70 
24 
N.W. 
.78 
April 
51.4 
75 
31 
N. 
3.45 
44.9 
72 
27 
S.W. 
2.20 
May 
56.6 
90 
30 
N. 
1.99 
50.4 
85 
21 
S.W. 
1.44 
June 
57.8 
92 
35 
N. 
2.78 
65.3 
92 
33 
w. 
.78 
For the year .. 
52.5 
92 
2 
N.A 
N.W. 
18.92 
51.7 
94 
2 
w. 
15.54 
Note.—The mean is from the standard thermometer. The maximum and minimum observations are made 
with self-registering thermometers. 
TABLE No. 2. 
Showing the Mean Temperature of each Month for Twenty Years. 
July 
72.3 
70.5 
02.3 
51.1 
39.5 
34.1 
30.3 
33.5 
39.7 
47.1 
55.2 
64.7 
September 
October 
November 
May 
December 
June - 
Mean 
50.3 15 
Showing the Mean Temperature at 7 A. M.,3 P. M., and 11 P. M.; the Greatest Daily and Monthly Ranges of Temperature, and the Monthly Mean Dewpoint and 
Humidity for each Month in the Year. 
1885. 
1886. 
*3 
o 
>1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
l 
August 
September. 
October 
November _ 
December . 
January 
February 
March, 
April 
5 
*< 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
June 
© 
© 
p 
1 
1 
1 
1 
7 a. M. _ 
49.8 
43.7 
39.5 
36.6 
34.7 
31.2 
25.4 
33.4 
29.0 
35.2 
44.3 
51.4 
39.5 
3 P. M. - 
11 P. M. _ 
89.2 
71.4 
87.7 
71.1 
72.7 
56.4 
68.5 
52.4 
42.6 
38.4 
39.5 
35.5 
34.6 
30.3 
46.5 
40.6 
40.6 
36.4 
47.6 
42.7 
61.5 
54.9 
69.5 
62.7 
58.1 
49.4 
52.0 
62.0 
52.0 
50.0 
28.0 
25.0 
27.0 
31.0 
33.0 
35.0 
37.0 
37.0 
62.0 
50.0 
67.0 
63.0 
67.0 
44.0 
42.0 
55.0 
48.0 
49.0 
42.0 
62.0 
54.0 
67.0 
50.1 
47.2 
39.9 
29.5 
33.3 
30.9 
25.8 
28.7 
25.3 
28.7 
30.6 
33.0 
33.6 
51.0 
48.4 
24.1 
41.5 
82.4 
83.7 
83.7 
64.5 
66.7 
62.0 
45.7 
38.2 
57.7 
TABLE No. 4. 
This Table shows the Prevailing Wind, Direction, and Average Hourly Velocity (in miles and tenths) at! A. M., 3 P. M., and 11 P. M.,for each Month in the 
Year 1885 and. 1886. 
*< 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
I 
August 
September _ 
October 
>3 
O 
1 
cr 
© 
December _ 
P 
P 
February 
March, 
April, 
P 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
l 
June. 
For Year __ 
7 a. m. 
N 3.4 
N 3.5 
W 3.2 
N W 2.0 
8 4.1 
W 3.8 
W 3.5 
W 3.8 
W 5.6 
W 4.5 
W 3.9 
W 4.0 
w 3.8 
3 P. M. - 
S 6.7 
8 5.0 
8 4.4 
8 5.9 
8 5.0 
8 5.9 
S 8.4 
8 8.4 
S 6.9 
S 7.0 
8 6.4 
11 p. M. - 
8 6.8 
N 6.1 
W 6.4 
W 4.6 
S 4.9 
W 4.2 
W 5.5 
W 4.9 
W 5.2 
W 5.4 
W 6.1 
W 6.5 
W 5.6 
TABLE No. 3. 16 
TABLE No. 5. 
Showing the Number of Clear, Fair, and Cloudy Days, and the Number of Days on which Rain 
Fell (hiring each Month in the Year. 
1885. 
1880. 
July 
August 
September _ 
October 
November _ 
December _ 
January 
February.^ 
March „ 
> 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
i 
June _ 
Number of clear days . 
24 
26 
23 
13 
1 
9 
7 
13 
10 
12 
12 
19 
Number of fair days 
4 
4 
6 
15 
8 
13 
11 
12 
12 
5 
10 
7 
Number of cloudy days. 
3 
1 
1 
3 
21 
9 
13 
3 
9 
13 
9 
4 
Number of days rain fell 
5 
2 
2 
5 
24 
11 
20 
10 
10 
14 
10 
6 
IV. REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF SURPRISE AND GOOSE LAKE 
VALLEYS. 
Cholera infantum.—My six years experience in this section leads me to 
believe that this affection is comparatively infrequent. I have observed a 
few sporadic cases during the months of July, August, and September, 
affecting especially bottle-fed children during the period of dentition; most 
of the cases are of a mild type, only one death due to cerebral complica- 
tions. Dr. Patterson writes: “Cholera infantum is perhaps of average fre- 
quency, but I think of less than ordinary gravity. I cannot recall a fatal 
case in my practice. Cholera morbus and diarrhoea might be answered in 
the same words, and dysentery is unknown to me in practice here.” 
Cholera morbus is rarely met with, at least medical advice is seldom 
sought. I have observed it only in July, August, and September, and have 
been able to trace it generally to a large consumption of green apples, or 
some similar indiscretion. 
Diarrhoea and Dysentery, especially the former, prevail to a considerable 
extent during the Summer months. The records of the post hospital show, 
that during the past sixteen years, two hundred and fifty-seven cases, 
or 15.6 per cent of the total number of diseases treated, were reported 
under this head. During the Summer months, especially in a dry moun- 
tain climate, the days are often excessively hot, the thermometer rising to 
98° Fall, and higher in the shade, while the nights are always cool, 
and frequently chilly. Improper and insufficient clothing and exposure of 
the surface of the body to the chilly night air, is alone sufficient to account 
for these catarrhal affections. The influence of the fruit season and greater 
alkalinity of the water due to a lower stage, furnish additional causes. 
Smallpox has not yet visited this locality. Should the community be 
infected at any time, I predict a serious epidemic, as the neglect to have 
the children vaccinated is widespread and simply shameful in this enlight- 
ened age. 
Measles.—I have known of only a few sporadic cases prior to last Feb- 
ruary; they were all of a mild type, anti no case resulted fatally. In 
February, March, and April of 1886 the disease assumed the proportion of 
an epidemic, affecting nearly every family in the locality. The disease 
was carried here from Susanville and other infected localities southwest 
from here. I treated over one hundred cases among the white population, 17 
and many of the milder cases were treated by attentive mothers. There 
were no deaths and the disease disappeared completely in April. The poor 
Piute Indians fared very differently. The disease invaded their camp and 
attacked about ninety of their tribe, and at least seventeen men, women, 
and children perished from the disease. At the end of March I wrote : 
“ If any evidence was needed to show the importance of general and 
individual hygiene on the influence of disease, it is illustrated by this fact, 
that while there was no death from measles among sixty-five wThites 
attacked, in thirty cases occurring among the Indians, six—three adults 
and three children—or one in five, have thus far died. This condition is 
nowise due to imprudent treatment on the part of their medicine men, as 
they are not active, and most of the cases had received treatment at my 
hands.” At the time I was inclined to attribute this frightful mortality to 
bad general and individual hygiene, exposure to inclement weather, and 
the irritating effects of their smoky habitations, but other factors may have 
determined the fatality. Dr. Patterson’s experience is stated as follows: 
“ In 1874 had some fifteen or twenty cases. In 1885 and 1886 there 
were probably two hundred and fifty cases from Lake City to lower end of 
the valley. The origin of the first epidemic, if it deserves the name, was 
clearly traceable to a family of immigrants, who brought the disease with 
them from the emigrant train on which they crossed the continent. Last 
epidemic appeared here by extension from the west, taking in everything 
as it traveled. Number of deaths, none in first, two in second (only one in 
my practice, however).” 
Scarlatina.—In the Fall of 1880 I observed a few sporadic cases, whilst 
an epidemic was raging in the lower end of the valley, at or below Cedar- 
ville. The cases in this section were of a mild type, and yielded readily 
to treatment. In April, May, and July, 1885, the disease again appeared 
in a mild form. I treated twenty-four cases. There were no deaths, and 
only three of the cases presented serious complications. In April, 1886, a 
few cases occurred. The disease prevailed more extensively in and around 
Cedarville and Alturas. Two of my cases were brought here for treatment 
from Goose Lake Valley, infected from Alturas. Fortunately a strict 
quarantine prevented spreading of the disease. In the month of May two 
cases occurred, which were quite remarkable. Two young men, who had 
measles in March, returned after their convalescence to Warner Valley, 
Oregon, and remained at work for nearly a month, when they were brought 
to town with well developed scarlet fever. No other cases existed at the 
time in Warner, and there was no evidence of direct or indirect transmis- 
sion. 
Dr. Patterson writes: 
Two epidemics of scarlet fever, one in 1880-1881, in which there were some twenty to 
twenty-five cases, with six deaths, five occurring in the practice of Dr. L. H. Kent and 
one in mine. Dr. Kent was unfortunate enough to have nearly all the cases occurring in 
families where the sanitary conditions were peculiarly unfavorable, and these seemed 
largely to determine the mortality. Origin unknown. 
Second epidemic was that just passed in 1885-1886, in all probably forty cases (thirty-one 
of positive diagnosis, the others not typical cases, but believed to be due to the specific 
poison of scarlet fever). Number of deaths in my practice, two. There was a death in a 
case I never saw, but which I had reason to think was due to scarlet fever. Origin, 
brought from Alturas by the Boydston family. 
In this epidemic, as in the other, the mortality was confined to the cases in which the 
sanitary conditions were bad. Both cases of mine occurred in French families, where the 
parents were poor and ignorant. Then, too, the boys had, just after great indiscretions 
in diet at the New Year holiday season, exposed themselves, while much heated by labor, 
to extreme cold by sitting down to rest in the snow, and then breaking through ice into 
the water below. As might be expected, the disease was in each case characterized by very 
malignant sore throat and high temperature. One boy died before the eruption appeared— 
the other shortly after. 18 
Diphtheria.—In the medical history of the post for April, 1878, I find the 
following remarks: “ There were many cases of diphtheria on the west 
side of the mountains (Pitt River Valley and Alturas), and numerous 
deaths therefrom during February and March. The disease did not appear 
in this valley until April first, six miles beyond Cedarville. It became 
more common in and around Cedarville, twenty-five miles from here. By 
the end of April the disease died out without affecting this locality, not- 
withstanding daily communication.” 
During my service here, I have observed the disease only twice, once in 
the Autumn of 1883, and again last May, confined in both instances to a 
single family. In September, 1883, it occurred in the household of a well 
to do farmer, who had erected a few years before a new dwelling, on a 
gravelly spot formerly used as a corral, little suspecting that the excre- 
mentitious matter had for years permeated and polluted the soil, and thus 
prepared a hotbed for disease germs. In the Fall of 1879 two cases of 
typhoid fever occurred in this family, affecting the father and his brother. 
There was only one child then in the family. In September of 1883 three 
of the children were affected with diphtheria, and subsequently the entire 
family. One of the children died from laryngeal complication. Another 
patient also afforded a striking illustration of the constitutional character 
of the disease. He was suffering at the time from a lacerated wound of 
the right hand, and the wound, simultaneously Avith the fauces, was cov- 
ered with a diphtheritic membrane. The inhabitants of this house are 
well to do, intelligent, and cleanly, and there was no room to assume imme- 
diate or mediate contagion, unless the disease prevailed among the fowl. 
This family always had a larger amount of sickness than others, without 
apparent cause. The well was close to the house, and at least one hundred 
and fifty feet from the privy. Upon inquiry as to the nature of the site, 
etc., I was informed of its original use as a corral, cow shed, and hog pen. 
In view of all the circumstances, the occurrence of typhoid fever and diph- 
theria in this family can reasonably be connected with a local cause, viz., 
the water supply. There is nothing improbable in the assumption, that the 
animal refuse matter permeated the gravelly soil for a considerable depth, 
and with the recession of the subsoil water, the warm air of July and 
August entered the deeper layers of the soil and stimulated into activity, 
if not existence, disease germs which finally percolated into the well, in 
consequence of artificial irrigation. I am aware that it is the opinion of 
excellent authorities that a disease like diphtheria is incapable of origi- 
nating de novo from defective drainage, soil pollution, atmospheric, or tel- 
luric influences, but that it is propagated by a particidate germ. To all 
such arguments I have but one answer, and that is, disease germs must 
have had an origin some time and somewhere. The occurrence of two so 
called filth diseases in a family without evidence of direct transmission of 
the disease, would indicate, at least, that the same soil and condition are 
capable of developing different disease germs. Of course neither the 
microscope nor chemical analysis can be invoked to demonstrate to the 
masses the presence of these germs, very much less of a specific germ, but 
that such subtle poisons do exist and are being evolved by unsanitary sur- 
roundings, the facts plainly indicate, and the amount of money expended 
by this family for professional services, together with the amount lost by 
reason of sickness, would have been sufficient to erect a new dwelling in a 
location not contaminated in the manner indicated. 
Dr. Patterson’s account of the epidemic of 1878 is very complete and 
pregnant with valuable facts. He writes: 19 
Have seen quite a number ot' sporadic cases of diphtheritic sore throat, but only one 
epidemic of the typical disease, which was in 1878. 
Origin: To me the evidence is almost conclusive that in this case the poison emanated 
from the large body of swamp land on the South Fork of Pitt River lying to the south 
and southeast of Alturas. In this county the wind but rarely blows in any other direc- 
tion than from the south and west. Having premised these facts, let me enumerate from 
memory (my records of the epidemic having been destroyed by fire) some of the other 
facts which to me appear to support this theory: 
First—Not a single case appeared to the windward of the swamp. 
Second—Almost every child, and many of the adults living in Pitt River Valley to the 
leeward of the swamp, were stricken with the disease in February, March, or April of that 
year. 
Third—The virulence of the disease was in direct ratio to the proximity to the swamp 
and the exposure to the emanations therefrom, modified, of course, by individual charac- 
teristics of the patient, and by his other surroundings. 
To the northeast of the swamp, which is quite extensive, are three canons or gaps in 
the Warner Range of mountains, separating Pitt River Valley from the lowrer end of Sur- 
prise Valley, by which the southwest winds passing over the surface of the swamp would 
reach the latter valley. (For verification see meteorological table.—G. M. K.) At the 
mouths of these canons, and there only, in Surprise Valley, mild cases of diphtheria 
appeared toward the close of the epidemic, which was raging on the other side of the 
mountain range. The disease in Surprise Valley was confined exclusively to the families 
near the mouths of these canons. In the town of Cedarville the only families affected 
were the two that lived directly at the mouth of the canon, and at the mouth of each of 
the other canons the one family nearest to it was the only one that suffered. (It may be 
well to add that none of these canons are passable for -ordinary travel except the Cedar- 
ville Pass.—G. M. K.) In all, there were thirteen cases in Surprise Valley, with no fatali- 
ties. On the Pitt River side there were, I think, twenty-one deaths among those in the 
immediate vicinity of the swamp, and none among the many cases at a distance of over 
one mile from it. 
Fourth—The season was what we here style an “ open winter,” with considerable rain in 
February and March. The epidemic subsided shortly after the cessation of the rains, to 
reappear as shown in the following subdivision. (See meteorological tables.—G. M. K.) 
Fifth—In confirmation of the theory that the disease may and does originate in decom- 
posing vegetable matter, I give this incident of the epidemic: Mr. William Combs, pro- 
prietor of the “ Combs Hotel ’’ at Alturas, sought my advice as to how he might best 
Erotect his children from attack, it being almost impossible for him to remove them from 
ome at that time. Acting on my suggestion, he abandoned the family rooms on the 
ground floor, and occupied instead the parlor and adjoining room on the second floor. 
His family escaped attack until June, when a great freshet occurred, causing Pitt River 
to overflow its banks and inundate the town site, filling all the cellars, wells, and privy 
vaults. His family had meantime returned to the family quarters directly over a cellar, 
now filled with water and decaying vegetables, which latter had been stored there while 
fresh for hotel use, but were now carelessly allowed to remain. Both of his children died 
of diphtheria, and all the adult members of his family were attacked by it, while none of 
the persons inhabiting other portions of the house were affected. The disease at that 
time was confined to those who lived immediately over the cellar mentioned, notwith- 
standing the very unfavorable sanitary conditions which then prevailed throughout the 
town. 
From my sad experience in that epidemic, I cannot but believe that one cause of diph- 
theria is an emanation from decomposing vegetable matter. That there are other sources 
from which the diphtheritic poison originates, I do not doubt. My experience of the dis- 
ease may be said to be confined to this epidemic. 
Croup, Membranous.—I have seen but three cases of membranous croup 
in this country, two of these in connection with diphtheria in the family 
referred to. I do not pretend to be able to differentiate between diphtheritic 
and membranous croup, and believe in the unity of these affections. Dr. 
Patterson writes: “Infrequent in my practice, have had, I believe, two 
fatalities from it.” 
Erysipelas.—I have noticed quite a number of mild cases of idiopathic 
erysipelas in this valley, and have been led to the belief that the moun- 
tain climate may be a factor in its production. How far its comparative 
frequency depends upon a sudden arrest of the cutaneous functions, and 
the passage into the blood of the excretory products of the skin and conse- 
quent autochthonous septicaemia, I am unable to say. I have not observed 
traumatic erysipelas in my hospital practice, and quite rarely among the 
settlers; the antiseptic dressings employed may exert a salutary influence. 
Dr. Patterson observes: “Erysipelas, of the cutaneous variety, rather 20 
frequent, but probably not sufficiently so to deserve mention as being a 
peculiarity of this climate.” 
Malarial affections.—I find, in looking over my records, that I have 
reported a number of cases of intermittent and remittent fever—not a very 
large number, to be sure, but sufficient to attract attention. The number of 
cases treated among the troops, during a period of sixteen years, was one 
hundred and thirty-five, or 8.2 per cent of the total number of sick. This, 
in view of the marshy nature of some of the localities, would indicate 
that the cool nights of Summer do not favor the development of the bacil- 
lus malaria in sufficient numbers to prove a formidable foe. Indeed, my 
observations have impressed me with the belief that persons afflicted with 
intermittent fever elsewhere, recover in this climate. Quite a number of 
soldiers and civilians, although manifesting symptoms of the disease for a 
few months after their arrival, recovered completely. One case in particu- 
lar was full of interest to me. The patient came from another locality, and 
in a few months was entirely free from ague; during the duck hunting 
season in the Autumn, he visited the tide swamps and returned with a chill; 
he repeated the visit two or three times, and each time had “ one of his old 
fashioned chills;” finally, at my suggestion, which would have been offered 
before, only to determine the cause and effect with greater certainty, he 
avoided the marshes, and has not been affected with this fever since. I 
was informed by one of the pioneers of this valley that when the company 
of the Second California Volunteer Cavalry arrived here in July, 1865, a 
great many of the men were suffering from “chills and fever” contracted 
in the Sacramento Valley, where the company was mustered in, and that 
“ after a few months they looked like a different set of men.” 
The few indigenous cases of malarial fever, which I have observed here, 
occurred in persons living in the low lands; they were by no means typi- 
cal cases of intermittent or remittent fever, but, nevertheless, due to mala- 
rial poisoning. The majority of the cases treated by me were imported. 
In view of all the facts, as I review them, I consider malarial fevers 
extremely rare in this region, and the tendency in imported cases is to ulti- 
mate recovery. 
Dr. Patterson writes: “Malaria, in the restricted sense, is but little felt 
here.” 
Mountain fever (typho-malarial fever).—In looking over my note books, 
I find that I have diagnosed a number of my fever cases, as “ typho- 
malarial,” and these are the cases commonly spoken of in this section 
as “ mountain fever.” I confess, that I experienced for some time con- 
siderable hesitation to regard this fever as anything more or less than 
a manifestation of the typhoid fever poison, but a study of the earlier 
symptoms especially, suggested a malarial element, which seems to modify 
the materies morbi of typhoid. Whatever the true nature of this mountain 
fever may be, the clinical picture essentially differs in many symptoms 
from “enteric” and remittent fever. 
The disease is rarely ushered in by a chill, more often by chilly sensa- 
tions, repeated two or three days in succession; there is always severe 
headache, occipital and frontal, and a severe aching in almost every part 
of the body; insomnia, or disturbed sleep, a peculiar furred tongue, some- 
times yellowish and again bluish white, with clean red border and tip; not 
infrequently indications of a slight nasal or pharyngeal catarrh. The fever 
ranges between 101° and 104°, and in the first stage of the disease especially, 
shows marked exacerbations and remissions, suggestive of quotidian and 
remittent fever, and doubtless many of the milder cases are thus reported. 21 
The pulse is usually full and frequent, between ninety and one hundred 
and ten. Epistaxis and abdominal symptoms in the early stage of the 
disease, are extremely rare; no eruption on the body, and in the majority 
of cases, constipation. Herpes febrilis are quite common. When the fever 
is well established, it continues for four and five weeks, with sudden 
and marked deviations in the temperature; there is also more sweating in 
the first stage than is observed in typhoid, and in my earliest experience 
actually interpreted the chilly sensations, fever and sweat, as symptoms of 
intermittent. In the graver forms, or protracted cases, abdominal and 
adynamic symptoms are well marked, but I have never noticed very pro- 
found cerebral symptoms. 
I am not prepared to speak from personal experience of the anatomical 
lesions, as I have had no fatal cases. Dr. Hoff’s clinical histories, pub- 
lished in the American Journal of Medical Science, for January, 1880, 
accord so closely with my observations, that I am fully prepared to accept 
his conclusions: 
First—The fever of the Rocky Mountain region is a hybrid disease, the prominent 
features of which are typhoid—the modifying, intermittent; is in fact the typho-malarial 
fever of Woodward. 
Second—It appears during or after exposure incident to field service, generally, though 
not necessarily in late Summer and early Autumn, and seems to bear no relation to 
typhoid infection, as now usually accepted by the profession. 
Third—At its inception, this disease manifests itself as an intermittent of quotidian, 
tertian, or other form; this stage is followed (in about two weeks) by the typhoid stage, 
lasting in the neighborhood of four weeks, in which typical typhoid symptoms may be 
observed, modified to a greater or less degree by intermittent indications. 
Fourth—The pathological anatomy of the disease, is that of typhoid fever. 
Fifth—The treatment should be antiperiodic and antipyretic. 
In regard to the origin of the fever, I have a few remarks to offer. In 
my observations I have been impressed with the fact, that many of the 
patients describe their feeling in the early stage, as having “ caught cold,” 
and there is usually some slight nasal, pharyngeal, or bronchial catarrh, 
but the constitutional symptoms, not unlike those of “ catarrhal fever,” are 
entirely out of proportion to the local affection. Whenever the patients 
report promptly for treatment, a mild cathartic, a Dover’s powder, and five 
grain doses of quinine three or four times a day will mitigate the symp- 
toms, and, in the majority of cases, arrest the disease; but in persons in 
the field or on the march, exposed to a hot sun in the day, and the chilly 
nights of a mountainous region, with no rest or special care, or when medi- 
cal treatment cannot be at once had, the disease progresses, and after the 
expiration of two weeks the typhoid stage is reached, and quinine appears 
to have none but an antipyretic effect. I have observed the disease in my 
field service to affect men who were absent for months from permanent settle- 
ments, in the uninhabited mountain regions of northern Idaho and south- 
eastern Nevada, where the presence of the specific germs of enteric fever 
could hardly be suspected to exist, and the question naturally arises, whence did 
the germ of typhoid fever originate in these cases ? Two sources have sug- 
gested themselves to my mind; one is, that many Of our so called pure 
mountain streams are polluted by beaver dams and large game, not to men- 
tion horned cattle and other live stock in some localities traversed. Dr. 
Charles Smart, of the United States Army (vide Am. Journal of Medical 
Science for June, 1878), has analyzed the water of numerous mountain 
streams, and demonstrated the presence of a dangerous amount of organic 
matter, but this very competent observer appears satisfied that it is of veg- 
etable origin, for he remarks: “That the organic matter was vegetable in 
character, was inferred from the absence of the sodium chloride which is 22 
the invariable accompaniment of animal matter.” Be this as it may, I 
have, within the past few years, drunk water from mountain streams which 
had a decided “ cowy flavor,” and as I have seen scores of these animals 
wading into the streams, my taste has probably not deceived me. 
The second source is the possibility of the materies morbi being generated 
within the body, the result of certain changes of the blood, consequent 
upon the sudden suppression of the function of the skin. We know that 
this is an efflcient cause for the production of numerous diseases, and that 
the poisonous effect on the blood acts as an irritant sometimes in one and 
sometimes in another part of the body, usually at the locus minoris resis- 
tentise. When this and the perforating ulcers of the duodenum, which 
complicate extensive burns, and which according to Curling result from 
the irritation due to the vicarious action of Brunner’s glands in attempting 
to replace the deficient action of the skin—according to others, directly 
traceable to the formation of capillary embolism, is remembered, there is 
nothing unreasonable in the assumption that, in persons otherwise predis- 
posed and subjected for weeks and months to a. monotonous and faulty 
diet, frequent and excessive changes in temperature, and a water supply 
charged with organic matter, regardless of its origin, a hybrid disease 
should be developed combining the elements of a septic and malarial poi- 
son, and that the former may be generated within the body. 
This may be at variance with the germ theory, although I do not think 
so, as the “germs” may be the products of the chemical changes of the 
blood. Many matters remain as yet unexplained. Thus, in surgical 
pathology, it is held that a septic condition of the wound is due to certain 
micro-organisms from without, and to exclude and destroy these germs is 
the object of the antiseptic art; yet we not infrequently see in subcutaneous 
injuries an extravasation of blood undergoing septic decomposition, espe- 
cially in unhealthy subjects, and the question arises, how did the germs 
gain access here? The eight cases, or .5 per cent of the sick which 
occurred among the troops at this post during the past four years, were in 
recruits from Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, which appears to have been an 
infecting center of numerous military posts. The men generally arrived 
here in the second stage. My patients among the civilians were almost 
exclusively stockmen, who lead essentially an outdoor life, and frequently 
neglect the simplest rules of health, cleanliness of the body, and clothing. 
Of course it is an easy matter, led by speculative considerations, to offer 
explanations as to the nature of “ mountain fever,” which fortunately is 
neither a frequent nor a fatal disease in this section; and whatever the 
origin of the typhoid element may be, the malarial element is most prob- 
ably introduced into the system by the water, as my observations alluded 
to under malarial affections positively argue against the existence of mal- 
aria (aeriform) in this region, with the few exceptions pointed out. 
It will be observed that the foregoing remarks apply particularly to a 
class of patients who inhabit, so to speak, a virgin soil, precluding the 
belief that local causes, such as soil pollution, are present to generate the 
typhoid element. In settled communities there is no necessity to look for 
extraordinary causes, such as I have suggested, as filth diseases go hand 
in hand with increased population. 
These causes are fully set forth in the following remarks by Dr. Patter- 
son, who, it will be noticed, has not attempted to separate mountain fever 
from his cases of enteric fever: 
I regard mountain fever as a modification of typhoid, which has been, I think, the cause 
of more deaths in my practice than any other disease. 1 cannot approximate with any 23 
precision the number of cases I have treated in this valley. It is certainly in the hun- 
dreds, including all the cases—grave and mild, typical and hybrid. 
The mortality, I would judge, was about ten per cent. Hemorrhage from the mucous 
membranes occurred in probably twenty-five per cent of the cases, and in these the mor- 
tality was, of course, heavy, perhaps thirty per cent of them dying. These estimates are, 
of course, too indefinite to be of much value, yet I think they are pretty nearly correct. 
The intimate relation observed between low water and typhoid in the epidemic form 
would naturally suggest the relation of cause and effect. 
Low water operates in at least two ways: 
First—By the concentration of the impurities carelessly allowed to accumulate in w’ells, 
and the consequent contamination of the drinking water. This I think the chief cause; 
the contamination being aggravated by the drainage from strata of soil in the well wTalls, 
now exposed to the action of the air, from which they are usually protected by the water. 
In many cases where wells go entirely dry, or become so foul as to be perceptibly and 
totally unfit for use, the people resort to the water ditches, which, flowing often in but 
trickling streams, for long distances through many impurities—corrals, pastures, public 
highways, cultivated and manured fields—are inevitably impregnated with these impuri- 
ties. 
Second—Exposure of the lake beds, with all their impurities, would, were it not for their 
location to the leeward of the settlements, be another source of the disease, I think, 
through the agency of malaria. (I use the word in its etymological sense, not in the 
more restricted one meaning the agency, whatever it is, that produces periodic fevers.) 
In this connection, I have alwTays observed that irrigation to the westward of the home 
was, in my opinion, a frequent cause of typhoid. The trend of the land then favored 
seepage into the wells, and the prevalent winds carried the malarious exhalations directly 
to the dwelling places. It is one of the things I always look out for when called in these 
cases. 
Typhoid Fever.—The records of the hospital for the past sixteen years 
show that in a total number of one thousand six hundred and forty-eight 
sick treated, not a single case of “enteric fever” occurred. This indicates 
the value of sanitation, and is doubtless due to the fact that the garrison 
is supplied with water from a mountain stream, conveyed in pipes to the 
fort, to the absence of wells* and the efficient care exercised in preventing 
soil pollution. The record also indicates that the disease is not endemic in 
this valley, and that when it does occur, local causes must be looked for. 
I have treated about forty cases among the settlers of this and Goose Lake 
Valley during the past six years, and with very few exceptions its preva- 
lence coincided with the low stage of the water in the lakes, and consequent 
recession of the subsoil water. Professor Pettenkoffer’s theory, that with 
the recession of the water the air penetrates deeper layers of soil and there 
stimulates into activity and multiplication disease germs, which were dor- 
mant so long as they were submerged in water, is perfectly applicable to 
the majority of cases observed by me. 
I have described the gravelly nature of the soil in the two valleys, and 
in one of my monthly reports directed attention to the dangerous propin- 
quity of the privies to the water supply, and firmly believe that in a large 
number of my cases, the excrementitious matter gradually polluted the 
soil and finally contaminated the water supply. A properly constructed 
and located privy and stable is a rarity on the frontiers. I have known 
large families to live on a farm for six years and over without a privy in 
any shape, and it is not surprising that the children should have selected, 
in the meantime, the most convenient spots for the deposit of human 
filth. The stables are not infrequently located on higher ground than 
the dwelling, with a natural drainage towards the house. The only won- 
der is that some of these families exist at all. Perhaps the system becomes 
in a measure habituated to these noxious influences, but when the cup is 
full to overflowing, they suffer the penalty for the violation of natural laws. 
Even the Piute Indians appear to have in many respects better sanitary 
ideas than their white brethren. While they are filthy, they change their 
camp at least two or three times a year, and in doing so, burn their hab- 24 
itations, with all the filth and rubbish. Moreover, for the benefit of their 
health, they take a number of “ sweat baths” during the year. 
In my remarks regarding the excessive mortality which attended the 
cases of typhoid fever in Goose Lake Valley last Fall, I alluded to the well 
meant but pernicious habit of a dozen or more sympathizing neighbors 
visiting the patients at one time and crowding the sick chamber to its 
utmost capacity, and I repeat the statement here, since these reports are 
for the benefit of the people, that many of these poor patients died victims 
of mistaken kindness. Contrast, if you please, the fact that the garrison 
has had no typhoid fever during a period of sixteen years, and that within 
a stone’s throw from the reservation typical cases of enteric fever have 
occurred; contrast then the police and sanitary condition of the two locali- 
ties, and talk about the absurdity of sanitary measures, and that diseases, 
being a visitation of God, cannot be prevented. 
Surely we have in this instance an array of facts sufficiently strong to 
convince the most obtuse or superstitious minds that sanitary science is 
based on correct principles, and that “ an ounce of prevention is worth a 
pound of cure.” 
Perhaps I have given the impression that typhoid fever prevails exten- 
sively in these two valleys. I have treated twenty cases within the last two 
years, and should have added that this is the largest number treated by 
me during any similar period, and the disease cannot therefore be justly 
regarded as of frequent occurrence. 
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.—I have never seen a case in this section. 
Consumption.—With two exceptions, I have never known a patient to 
contract the disease in this climate, and these patients suffered from 
chronic catarrhal pneumonia. In one case, the immediate cause appears 
to have been a contusion or compression of the pulmonary tissue, the result 
of a horse rolling over his chest; in the other case, organic disease of the 
heart coexisted. I have observed a few patients in the incipient stage of 
consumption to be entirely relieved after a year’s residence in this climate. 
A soldier who arrived here in the third stage, died shortly thereafter. In 
another soldier, who came to this post in 1883, the tubercular deposit 
underwent a rapid process of softening, and was expectorated. The dis- 
ease, notwithstanding two distinct cavities in the lungs, appears to be 
stayed, for a time at least. Five cases, or 0.3 per cent of the sick, are 
reported among the troops during a period of sixteen years. Dr. Patterson 
writes: 
Having practiced here for nine years before meeting with a case of consumption origi- 
nating here, I came to believe and assert that residence in Modoc County was equivalent 
to exemption from this disease. The experience of later years leads to a slight modifica- 
tion of that belief. I have known of but four cases in all. The first, that ot Mr. Parker, 
of Parker Creek, I believe to have been one of pulmonary consumption, but I have only a 
hearsay knowledge of it. He was not a patient of mine. The second was Mrs. C., of this 
place, in whom the tubercular diathesis was very well marked. The third was your own 
patient, W. P., and the fourth a half-breed Spanish boy from French’s Ranch, who fell a 
victim to this disease, which is notoriously fatal to Spanish and other half-breeds. 
I have had an experience of some half-dozen imported cases, and it appears to me that 
the very climatic influences which prevent its origin here, accelerate the progress of those 
already commenced; hence I think that none who have passed the pretuberculous stage 
should be advised to come here in hope of benefit. 
Rheumatism.—The official records indicate that during a period of six- 
teen years one hundred and sixty-eight cases of rheumatism, or ten and 
two tenths per cent of the sick, were treated in the post hospital. During 
my entire service here I have observed probably a half dozen cases of acute 
articular rheumatism among the settlers, the majority being cases of mus- 25 
cular rheumatism or myalgia, resulting, no doubt, from sudden changes 
of temperature and suppression of the cutaneous function. 
Dr. Patterson writes: “ Articular rheumatism, while not very infrequent, 
seems to bear no comparison at all in point of frequency with muscular 
rheumatism.” 
Neuralgia.—One hundred and four cases, or sixty-three per cent of the 
sick treated at the post hospital during sixteen years, were reported 
under this head. Neuralgia prevails more or less among the settlers, as a 
result of the causes just mentioned. 
Dr. Patterson writes: “ Neuralgia and nephritic ailments are very prev- 
alent.” 
Catarrhal Affections.—Two hundred and forty-nine cases, or 15.1 per 
cent of the total number of sick treated at the post hospital during the 
last sixteen years, were reported under the head of catarrh and bronchitis; 
and reference to Table No. 6 will show that tonsillitis and conjunctivitis 
also furnish a large number of cases. Attention has been directed to the 
prevalence of diarrhoea and dysentery, and their relation to climatic condi- 
tions. It may be fairly assumed that the prevalent diseases in this com- 
munity are catarrhal affections of the air passages, and of the alimentary 
canal, rheumatic and neuralgic affections. I have already expressed the 
opinion that I perceive in the extreme variation of temperature between 
midday and midnight, and suppression of the cutaneous function and con- 
sequent retention of effete material, a very effective cause for the produc- 
tion of disease. 
Tables Nos. 1 and 3 indicate that a very prominent feature of this cli- 
mate is the dryness of the atmosphere. In my experience catarrhal affec- 
tions of the air passages usually go hand in hand with the greatest relative 
humidity. Whether the mucous membranes, habituated for the greater 
part of the year to a dry atmosphere, are directly irritated by the change, 
or whether wet feet or the process of “catching cold” already alluded to, 
plays the most important role, is difficult to say. But catarrhal affections 
of the mouth, nose, eyes, air, and alimentary passages may and do prevail 
during the dry season, and I have been forced to attribute their occurrence 
to sudden diurnal variations in temperature, the materies morhi produced 
thereby selecting the weakest spot for its elimination. Finally, the irrita- 
tion of the alkaline dust may furnish an additional cause for their pro- 
duction. 
Dr. Patterson writes: “Bronchitis is more frequent than pneumonia and 
pleurisy together. Tonsillitis is a very common affection, particularly in 
women. Influenza and catarrhal affections are quite frequent and often 
epidemic.” 
Pneumonia.—While catarrhal affections of the respiratory passages are 
quite common, the inflammation rarely extends to the pulmonary tissue. 
The number of cases of pneumonia treated among the troops during sixteen 
years was nine or 0.6 per cent of the total number of sick. I have treated 
probably forty cases within six years among the settlers with no fatal 
results. Most of the cases occurred in the Winter months, or the season of 
maximum humidity. In February, 1880, the disease prevailed exten- 
sively among the citizens of Surprise and Goose Lake Valleys. The rain 
fall for January and February was 4.58 inches. Prevailing winds S. and 
S.W. But the liygrometric condition of the atmosphere alone, is in rriy 
opinion, not a sufficient cause for its occurrence. Our soldiers while on 
guard duty are exposed to the inclemency of the weather, both day and 
night, and the comparative infrequency of the disease amongst them, would 26 
suggest, that other predisposing causes, such as overcrowding in small and 
badly ventilated rooms; in short, bad air, improper food and clothing, with 
other debilitating influences, constitute important factors in the causation 
of pneumonia. Just such conditions go hand in hand in families, where 
ten or more persons cook, eat, and sleep in a single room, about twelve by 
fourteen feet. When this condition is due to poverty, I can but pity the 
poor inmates, but when it is, as I have observed it, a question between 
building a good barn and dwelling, we can simply regret their ignorance 
of the laws of health, and the low value placed upon human life. 
It is of course true, that in the army, the patients usually report very 
promptly for treatment, and this may account for the infrequency of grave 
cases, and the prevention of inflammatory conditions, but even this fur- 
nishes a striking illustration of the correctness of that old adage, that “ a 
stitch in time saves nine.” I have often been called to see patients, who 
had been liberally dosed with Ayers’ Pills, or Kennedy’s Medical Discovery, 
for a week and ten days, when they were actually suffering with pneumo- 
nia, typhoid fever, or some other serious disease, and I am also satisfied, 
that this very class of persons in case of sickness in a horse or cow, will 
spare neither pains nor money to obtain professional advice. 
Pleurisy is also extremely rare in this climate; only seven cases or 0.4 
per cent occurred among the troops in sixteen years. I have observed but 
few cases among the settlers. 
Dr. Patterson’s experience leads him to write: “Pneumonia rather 
infrequent and yet at times it seems almost epidemic; mortality small. 
Pleurisy less frequent than pneumonia.” 
Enteritis and Idiopa thic Peritonitis.—I have never seen a case of either of 
these affections in this section, and Dr. Patterson writes: “ They are almost 
unknown to me.” 
Diseases of the Liver.—I have treated a few cases of jaundice due to 
catarrhal inflammation of the bile-ducts and duodenum. Functional de- 
rangements of the liver are not uncommon, especially observed in dyspeptic 
patients, which will be presently referred to. I have observed a few cases 
of hepatitis, due perhaps to excesses in eating and sudden chilling of the 
body when heated. Two cases of hepatic abscess occurred in my practice 
among the citizens, one followed in the wake of typhoid fever, and the 
other without any known cause, and I can recall but three cases of chronic 
interstitial hepatitis (cirrhosis) in intemperate persons. 
Dyspepsia.—In this connection I desire to direct attention to the fre- 
quency with which a large class of our settlers suffer from different forms 
of indigestion. Apart from sudden changes in the weather, which may give 
rise to gastric catarrh, the most prominent cause must be sought in the 
quality and preparation of food. A large number of the farmers and 
stockmen subsist on “ hog meat,” fresh, salted, and smoked, yeast powder 
bread, biscuits, beans, potatoes, and dried fruit, often prepared in the most 
indifferent way and consumed in a very injurious manner. The stockmen 
frequently eat but two meals a day, and often partaking of a heavy sup- 
per, go to bed shortly thereafter. As a result “ biliousness” is a very gen- 
eral complaint. The physicians only encounter the more stubborn cases, 
in which “Warner’s Liver Pills” and “ Safe Kidney Cure” have been 
unsuccessfully resorted to. As may be expected, the mischief in these 
cases consists not only in atonic dyspepsia, but also of a chronic gastric 
catarrh, with more or less hepatic derangements. In consequence of these 
conditions, abnormal chemical changes are developed in the blood, and the 
different forms of lithiasis (gravel) with hyperacidity of the urine are 27 
frequently observed. A selection of proper food, and a better knowledge 
as how to prepare and eat it, would render the patent liver pills and kidney 
cures less popular and likewise reduce the doctor and medicine bills. 
Nephritis, Acute and Chronic.—With the exception of three cases of acute 
desquamative nephritis in connection with scarlet fever I have not observed 
the Bright’s diseases of the kidneys in this community. It is not improba- 
ble, however, that the chronic forms will manifest themselves as the set- 
tlers grow older, for I can scarcely conceive how these organs can fail to be 
affected when they are called upon to perform an extra amount of work, in 
dyspeptic cases especially. The comparative infrequency of nephritis com- 
pared with repeated changes of temperature and chilling of the body, I 
can only attribute to the fact that the materies morbi selects for its elimi- 
nation the mucous membranes elsewhere. 
Catarrhal Affections of the Bladder are not infrequent in patients afflicted 
with indigestion, and are usually induced by hyperacidity of the urine. 
Urinary Calculi.—Notwithstanding that the different forms of lithiasis 
are common I have observed but one case of stone in connection with oxa- 
luria and dyspepsia. 
Heart Disease.—Functional derangements are not uncommon, especially 
in connection with flatulent dyspepsia, but I have seen very few organic 
lesions, and only one case of pericarditis. Dr. Patterson writes: “Func- 
tional disorders of the heart and liver are quite common, but I do not 
think there is any unusual prevalence of organic diseases of these organs.” 
Infantile Convulsions.—I have observed but three cases of this affection, 
confined to children of a single family, and occurring in connection with a 
high febrile condition in measles. 
Hydrocephalus was noted in four instances. 
Whooping-Cough was introduced into the community by a family of im- 
migrants, in the Summer of 1883, affecting quite a large number of chil- 
dren; no deaths. It would appear that the disease was limited to the 
upper portion of the valley, certainly within ten miles from Cedarville. 
As Dr. Patterson says: “ I am not sure that we have ever seen it here.” 
Puerperal Fever is extremely rare, if indeed it ever occurs. I have had 
no case in my own practice, unless I should mention a case of phlegmasia 
dolens, due to a mild form of uterine phlebitis, which occurred this Spring. 
Perhaps the germs are not sufficiently matured as yet. Dr. Patterson 
writes: “Puerperal fever is fortunately very rare. In all the hundreds of 
accouchments at which I have attended during the last fifteen years, there 
has not been one fatality from this or any other cause. I am not suffi- 
ciently egotistical to attribute this good fortune entirely to skill on my part. 
I regard it rather as evidence of a peculiar freedom from the dangers which 
commonly surround the patient in such cases. I do not think that in all I 
have met with more than ten or twelve cases of puerperal fever; these, how- 
ever, let me add, have occurred chiefly within the last three years.” 28 
Year 
1870-71 
1871-72. 
1872-73. 
1873-74. 
1874-75. 
1875-76. 
1876-77. 
1877-78. 
1878-79. 
1879-80. 
1880-81. 
1881-82. 
1882-83. 
1883-84.11884-85. 
t 
1885-86. 
Total. 
Mean strength 
67. 
79. 
43. 
65. 
87. 
1 114. 
105. 
67. 
83. 
103. 
96. 
67. 
81. 
95. 
89. 
86. 
Diseases. 
O 
e 
1 
P 
o 
I 
© 
O 
( 
« 
a> 
P 
s* 
o 
s 
P 
o 
1 
a 
u 
p 
1 
-J 
b 
a> 
P 
o 
I 
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<T> 
p 
o 
1 
tB 
[ 
b 
cc 
p 
§ 
b 
P 
Q 
£ 
ao 
b 
o 
p 
o 
g 
a! 
b 
a> 
P 
o 
p 
ac 
b 
# 
P 
o 
I 
o 
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o 
p 
o 
g 
a 
© 
1 
r- 
o 
1 
© 
1 
1 
P 
1 
1 
3 
3 
1 
8 
1 
Malarial fevers . 
14 
9 
9 
6 
4 
22 
16 
6 
7 
2 
3 
2 
8 
13 
6 
8 
135 
Tonsillitis and other diseases 
7 
1 
2 
1 
9 
4 
7 
10 
8 
17 
G 
10 
25 
5 
12 
124 
4 
18 
3 
16 
11 
31 
13 
7 
9 
6 
3 
4 
12 
15 
16 
His 
1 
1 
1 
2 
i 
5 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
2 
1 
1 
i 
3 
3 
15 
Gonorrhoea, inebriation, and 
other diseases of this 
1 
2 
10 
13 
14 
13 
19 
42 
13 
9 
12 
7 
20 
13 
188 
Catarrh and bronchitis _ 
2 
1 
3 
11 
5 
13 
27 
5 
15 
52 
32 
31 
6 
5 
17 
10 
15 
249 
1 
2 
1 
3 
2 
1 
9 
1 
1 
1 
2 
1 
1 
7 
Diarrhoea and dysentery 
4 
20 
2 
19 
30 
13 
49 
26 
5 
17 
9 
20 
12 
3 
8 
14 
8 
257 
2 
Neuralgia 
4 
6 
10 
12 
4 
7 
3 
6 
4 
6 
8 
6 
7 
11 
4 
6 
104 
Headache, constipation, con- 
junctivitis.and other local 
.12 
1 
12 
14 
— 
28 
— 
35 
—- 
48 
— 
26 
— 
13 
— 
35 
— 
47 
— 
31 
.... 
14 
21 
19 
.... 
11 
13 
.... 
379 
1 
Total diseases _ _ 
50 
3 
72 
2 
70 
— 
101 
1 
94 
— 
211 
— 
107 
— 
65 
— 
157 
.... 
158 
— 
132 
— 
62 
.... 
73 
— 
118 
— 
86 
— 
92 
.... 
1,648 
6 
♦Tonsillitis is the most frequent disease of this group. 
f Inebriation and gonorrhoea the most frequent diseases of this group. 
I Headache, constipation, colic, conjunctivitis, and indigestion prevail in the order named, and constitute the majority of the diseases of this group. 
CONSOLIDATED SICK REPORT, FORT BIDWELL, CALIFORNIA—1870-1886. 29 
V. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 
The consolidated sick report of the garrison for sixteen years has been 
introduced to show the character and relative frequency of the diseases of 
this locality, believing that the sanitary surroundings of the troops are so 
excellent that fair conclusions can be drawn as to the relations of climatic 
influences and the prevalent diseases. 
This table shows that an aggregate of thirteen hundred and seven men 
furnished sixteen hundred and forty-eight cases of sickness and six deaths. 
This, at first sight, may seem a large percentage; but it is to be remem- 
bered that in the army a great many men are entered on the sick report 
who in civil life would scarcely think of consulting a physician; but being 
incapacitated from duty by reason of a headache, colic, indigestion, or the 
effects of inebriation, or some other indiscretion, are excused for a day or 
two, and naturally help to swell the sick report. It is safe to assume that 
in at least fifteen per cent of the cases reported, the remote etiology was 
pay day or some act of indiscretion. 
We find, then, that catarrhal affections of the alimentary passages lead 
the list; next in frequency are catarrhal affections of the air passages; then 
follows rheumatism, malarial fevers, tonsillitis, and neuralgia, in the order 
named. Due allowance should be made for imported cases in estimating 
the relative frequency of malarial fevers. In my experience, most of the 
cases were affected prior to their arrival. The absence of typhoid fever and 
other zymotic diseases among the troops is especially noteworthy. 
A study of the meteorological tables renders it highly probable that the 
prevalence of the catarrhal, rheumatic, and neuralgic affections can be 
fairly traced to climatic influences; but these diseases are trivial when 
compared with those engendered by climatic conditions elsewhere. Indeed, 
it seems to me that the very factors Avhicli enter into the causation of these 
diseases here—especially the great daily range of temperature, dry atmos- 
phere, and elevation—are destructive to other disease germs, and perhaps 
fatal to the development of the bacillus of tubercle. Much has been said in 
the article on diseases to show that many of the prevalent diseases are 
entirely preventible; thus the catarrhal, rheumatic, and neuralgic affec- 
tions can be guarded against by the selection of proper underclothing, 
shoes, attention to the skin, etc. 
I have expressed my opinion freely under the various subdivisions, and 
a lengthy review seems quite unnecessary. It has been my painful duty 
to point out that the occurrence of typhoid fever and other filth diseases 
among the inhabitants was closely connected with their unsanitary sur- 
roundings, and sufficient has been said to indicate with precision that the 
mortality was largely determined by these unfavorable conditions. It is 
doubtless true that many of our good people would gladly avail themselves 
of sanitary suggestions if the evils complained of could be remedied with- 
out expense; but as the subject is one largely of education, it is sincerely 
hoped that the principles of public and private hygiene are taught in every 
school in the State, and especially in country districts. In cities the sani- 
tary regulations and police are probably the most effective educators. 
From personal experience, I can vouch for the healthfulness of this 
climate. I came here six years ago, when thirty years of age, and weighed 
one hundred and thirty-five pounds, my height being five feet ten and a 
half inches. Having had a severe attack of pneumonia when eighteen 
years of age, I was justly apprehensive in regard to my lungs, which 30 
appeared to be my weak spot. To-day my weight is one hundred and 
seventy-four pounds, and I enjoy perfect health, notwithstanding the fact 
that I am at times overworked. This change I attribute largely to the 
salubrity of this beautiful mountain valley. 
It is hoped that this report will contribute, in a small degree at least, 
towards the prevention of diseases in the State of California, with its won- 
derful climates and resources, and convince the population of sparsely set- 
tled and recent regions like ours that it rests largely with them whether a 
once healthful locality shall maintain its standard or be converted by acts 
of ignorance and carelessness into a hotbed of disease germs. 
In conclusion, I desire to express my indebtedness to my friend Dr. Wm. 
H. Patterson, of Cedarville, for the prompt and efficient manner in which 
he responded to my request for information contained in the report on dis- 
eases; and also to Mr. T. J. Patterson, of the Signal Corps, U. S. Army, for 
the careful and efficient manner in which he carried out my wishes in the 
preparation of the meteorological tables. The records of the post hospital 
furnished all of the data, except for the year 1885-86, which were taken 
from the Signal Office. My acknowledgments are also due to A. G. Heyl, 
Hospital Steward U. S. Army, for assistance rendered in the statistical 
portion of the report. 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT TO DR. KOBER 
ON THE PREVAILING DISEASES ABOUT ALTURAS AND SOUTHERN END 
OF GOOSE LAKE VALLEY. 
J. M. Forrest, M.D., Correspondent of the Board. 
Alturas, August 10, 1886. 
My Dear Dr. Kober: I have been practicing here nearly eight years. 
In that time I have not seen nor heard of eight cases of pneumonia in an 
estimated population of two thousand two hundred. I have seen only one 
case of consumption (Blurton) which I suppose to have originated here. I 
have seen two imported cases—one from the East and one from San Fran- 
cisco. 
Acute peritonitis and dysentery I have not met. Muscular pains and 
aches, common; some rheumatism; some neuralgia. Functional derange- 
ment of liver very common. Articular rheumatism rare; have not seen 
more than two or three cases. Digestive derangements very common, fre- 
quently considered kidney trouble by patients on account of copious depos- 
its of urates. Organic disease of kidney rare. I know of only one case of 
diabetes mellitus, and two or three of BrighFs disease in old men. I remem- 
ber only two cases of erysipelas. I have seen only two cases of true diph- 
theria; they got well. They caught the disease in and from rooms where 
persons had died of diphtheria. 
Malaria does not cut a figure in my practice. I know nothing of typlio- 
malarial. Typhoid fever has been sufficiently common. My experience 
with it has been, those cases treated from the beginning get well. Those 
are doubtful which run on two or three weeks before a doctor is called in. 
Many cases get well without any treatment. I think it quite possible that 31 
our continued fevers may be caused by a typical typhoid germ, and again 
by a germ resulting from putrid or decomposing animal matter. However, 
I have not time to enter into this. Measles has been a mild disease with 
us. Scarlatina has been hydra-headed. The first two cases I saw in the 
county were malignant and fatal; yet they were contracted from a mem- 
ber of a family all of whom had had the disease in a mild form, and got 
along (so reported) without medical treatment. The third case was an 
isolated one in the country; it got well. In our late epidemic, the fatal 
cases were terrible from the start, and were wholly beyond the control of 
medicine. Two cases, boys—little boys, playing together—presumably 
infected from the same source. One, malignant from the outset, died; the 
other, scarcely sick enough to remain in bed twenty-four hours. Influenza 
has been very common; quinsy, also. In connection with both have been 
some cases of follicular pharyngitis, simulating diphtheria. There have 
been three or four cases of croup—one was fatal—at a time when no dis- 
ease was endemic or epidemic. 
With careful hygiene, I believe typhoid and kindred fevers would be 
unknown in Modoc. We (the people) are largely to blame for the sick- 
ness in our midst. Privies and wells are too close neighbors. With a 
pure water supply and ordinary cleanliness, there would be no endemic 
disease in this portion of the county. I regret, my dear doctor, that this 
report is so meager.