CLIMATIC STATIONS

CLIMATIC STATIONS, a type of resort where climate and the particular features of the locality serve as the main therapeutic factor. C. s. are established at different latitudes in various climatic conditions: in mountains of different elevations, on plains (in forests, steppes and deserts), on seacoasts and islands, in various seas. The theoretical basis for treatment at climatic stations—see Climatotherapy. Mountain-climatic stations are usually located at elevations from 700 to 1,500 meters above sea level. Mountain ranges are characterized by a small amount of soil moisture; the air is not excessively humid (the usual relative humidity in mountains is about 70%). The amount of precipitation and especially snow in winter months can be considerable. The air in mountains is rarefied, clean and transparent. Barometric pressure decreases with altitude. The purity of air, completely free from dust and bacteria, has important hygienic significance, but most important is its exceptional transparency, caused by the low water vapor content. Due to this transparency, mountain air freely passes in large quantities without loss the shortest-wave rays (violet and ultraviolet), which has given mountain sun the reputation of high therapeutic power. The temperature of mountain air is not high because the sun's rays weakly heat the air passing through it, and heating by reflection from the ground at high altitudes is much less than on plains (see Mountain-climatic stations). Forest C. s. differ from mountain ones by some typical features (greater humidity and shade), but at the same time have much in common with them. According to the law of distribution of vegetation and climates in mountains, separate belts are distinguished, and after the belt of eternal snows comes the belt of bare rocks and cliffs, below is the belt of Alpine meadows, then follow coniferous and deciduous forests, and finally the foot of the mountain presents the picture of vegetation characteristic of this geographical latitude. In accordance with this distribution, the forest belt lies somewhat below the high-mountain climate and is limited to elevations from 400 to 800 meters above sea level. Here the air is less rarefied, its purity and transparency do not reach such a high degree, humidity is somewhat greater, and the amount of radiant solar energy is noticeably less. The main advantage of mountain and sub-mountain forest C. s. is considered to be moderate humidity and purity of air saturated with forest vapors. Some attribute the healing power of forest air to the aroma of coniferous forests, others see its benefit in the abundance of oxygen and ozone. Forest stations differ from mountain ones by a smaller amount of sun rays and weaker ventilation, since wind does not have in the forest that freedom which it finds on mountain peaks. Indications for forest resorts of medium and small elevations are a large number of diseases—generally all those cases in which a tonic effect on the entire organism and especially on the nervous system is necessary. In addition to C. s. of the medium and small elevation type according to climatic features, many C. s. located on plains (below 400 meters above sea level) also belong to forest C. s. Plain C. s. are suitable for a large number of convalescents and patients who cannot tolerate the demands made on the organism in other climates, for example due to their irritability, low resistance, etc. Therefore such C. s. are suitable for irritable, weak constitutions, convalescents after exhausting diseases, with a tendency to colds and catarrhal diseases of mucous membranes. Plain C. s. are especially suitable for summer rest (dachas, rest homes), and many C. s. for the same purpose are suitable throughout the year. Suitable locations for such C. s. exist in different regions of the USSR. Steppe C. s. differ from mountain and forest ones, but have much in common with desert C. s. Their main common feature is the signs of continental climate: dry, hot in summer and during the day, cold at night and even severe in winter. Abundance of sun rays, clear sky, dry air and small amount of precipitation are positive qualities and determine the therapeutic properties of steppe and desert C. s. On the contrary, sharp fluctuations in temperature day and night, summer and winter constitute negative features of continental climate. In addition there are still negative qualities of the climate of steppes and deserts—excessive dryness of soil and often a considerable amount of dust. Barometric pressure in steppe and desert C. s. approaches the usual pressure at sea level (760 mm) and does not undergo significant long-term fluctuations. Winds moderate the heat and ventilate the air. The continental climate of the steppes of the Volga region and Western Siberia makes this region especially suitable for organizing C. s., where the qualities of climate acquire special importance in combination with drinking kumiss (see Kumiss, Kumiss therapy). The features of desert climate are used for therapeutic purposes mainly at C. s. along the eastern border of the Sahara (Cairo, Helwan, Assuan). The same climate is found in the USSR in Uzbekistan and Turkmenia, where the organization of desert C. s. is proposed. Indications for desert C. s. are chronic and subacute inflammations of the kidneys, rheumatism and gout, pulmonary diseases (especially bronchitis and asthma) on tuberculous and non-tuberculous basis, anemia after operations and the recovery period after severe diseases. Completely different features are characteristic of seaside C. s. Here solar energy reaches the earth unimpeded and even increases due to reflection from the sea surface. Ultraviolet rays are somewhat delayed due to the presence of water vapor in the air. The humidity of air in seaside C. s. remains at an average of 70-80% and is regulated by vigorous ventilation of the wide sea expanse, especially—coastal breezes. Precipitation on the seacoast depends entirely on the configuration of the coast, coastal ridges and the main direction of winds, and therefore the amount of precipitation differs by large fluctuations. Barometric pressure at sea level equals 760 mm and undergoes fluctuations depending on the movement of cyclones and anticyclones. The temperature of seaside C. s. differs by small ranges of daily and annual amplitude due to the influence of the sea, moderating heat and frost by slow heating or cooling of water.