.LlCS X or %^°^ "Presented tftj fye IHa^agen^ei/t -^w/ <^}mictei^^Ziw&i T fa / Y ' t> ^ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2007 with funding from, Microsoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/climateofnewmexiOOchicrich THE CLIMATE OF NEW MEXICO Las Vegas Hot Springs PRESENTED BT THE MANAGEMENT CHICAGO: Poole Bros.. Printers. 188?. pao3 frcrofi Library Las Vegas Hot Springs, New Mexico. It has been a general observation among the thousands of tourists and invalids that have sojourned and received treatment at the above named resort why the merits of the climate and healing properties of the thermal springs were not brought to the notice of the medical profession and invalids throughout the United States. In response to the above query, the following facts and data are respectfully submitted: New Mexico is situated in latitude 31 degrees, 21 minutes and 37 degrees north; longitude, 103 degrees and 109 degrees west. It contains an area of 121,201 square miles. Large spurs, branching out from the Rocky mountains, traverse the territory from north to south, reaching in many instances an elevation of from 10,000 to 12,000 feet. Immense prairies, between these spurs, form the principal features of New Mexican topography. Las Vegas is in 35 degrees 40 minutes north latitude; 28 degrees 15 minutes west from Washington. The Las Vegas Hot Springs (named after the town) are situated six miles from the city of Las Vegas (The Meadows), and is connected by a branch of the Atchi- son, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. The Springs are beautifully located at the entrance to the Gallinas Canon, and are so nestled among the foot-hills that violent wind and dust storms are escaped. The altitude of the Springs is 6,700 above sea-level. 6 LAS VEGAS HOT SPRINGS. In seeking out a climate for pulmonary and respiratory diseases the following is imperative: A . Dryness. B. A warm atmosphere with a fair equability of tern perature. C. Shelter from wind and dust storms. D. Continuous sunshine or an excess of clear over cloudy days. In New Mexico the average humidity is 38 per cent., while in the following States and localities it is as follows: New England States, 73 per cent.; Middle Atlantic States, 74 per cent.; South Atlantic States, 79 per cent.; Gulf States, 82 per cent. ; Lower Lake Region, 70 per cent. ; Ohio Valley, Tennessee and the Northwest, 73 per cent.; Lower Mississippi Valley, 58 per cent. ; Denver, Colorado, 42 per cent. The accompanying "statement" is kindly given by the Signal Service Bureau. This report was taken at Santa Fe, 406 feet higher than the Springs, and the difference in altitude should be considered. Statement showing the monthly, annual, mean monthly and mean annual temperature; also the maximum and minimum temperatures and number of clear, fair and cloudy days, from the commencement of observations to June 1883, at Santa Fe, New Mexico. Compiled from the records on file at the office of the Chief Signal Officer, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. SIGNAL OFFICE, [seal.] War Department, Washington, D. C. October ijt/i, 1883. las vegas hot springs. Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Elevation of station above mean sea-level, 7,106 feet.) MEAN MONTHLY TEMPERATURES. COMPUTED FROM THE THREE TELEGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS. 1873- 1874. I8 7 5- 1876. i ln- 1878. 1870. 18S0. 1881. 1882. JAN. 26.9 28.7 3i-7 28.1 29.2 32.0 22.1 29.2 29.2 23-7 29.3 26.8 FEB. MAR. APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. 33-7 31-3 27.9 31.2 33-0 33-8 30 -4 37 -o 24.2 33-6 3*5 36.1 37-7 36.0 33-4 36.4 44-3 40.1 47-5 32.4 36.7 41.4 43-9 58.2 % 7 56. 3 58. 1 54-4 52.5 55-2 60.0 56.1 57-2 53-6 54-6 65.8 65.3 67.6 67.5 63 9 64.4 62.2 65.2 65.4 68.6 63.6 66.7 70.0 69.5 64.0 67.3 66.5 70-3 70.0 67.9 66.7 64 3 67.6 65.3 8:? 68.2 68.0 64.5 64.8 59-6 60.0 58.3 57-6 59.o 60.0 58.0 62.5 56.8 58.8 58.5 48.7 49-7 51.0 52.8 48.3 47.1 5o.9 49-8 *H 49.8 50.1 33-3 42.7 3 i-Z 38.8 36.3 34.3 39.2 36.9 29.6 33.6 39-8 DEC. 33 -o 33.0 295 29.7 32.9 29.1 29.3 26.4 28.1 29.4 32.2 47-9 48.6 48.0 48.0 47.5 47-6 47-5 50.2 45-4 means. . 28.1 32.1 : 39.5 1 45.4 ! 55.9 i 65.4 i 68.o 65.9 59.0 49.4 3^-7 I 302 ♦Station closed June 15, 1SS3. Note. — The daily means are obtained bv dividing 1 the sum of the readings at the three dv dividing - the sum of the [Form No. 149 B.] telegraphic observations by three; the monthly means t»y dividing the sum of the daily means by the number of davs in the month. [SEAL.] Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Elevation of station above mean sea-level, 7,106 feet.) MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE. 1870. . 1S71.. 1872.. 1873.. 1874.. 1875.- 1S76.. 'Pi- 1878.. 1879.. 1880.. 1881. 1882.. 1883.. JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY. JUN. JULY. AUG. SEP. OCT. NOV. DEC. 49 S 2 56 50 55 4 < 76 55 49 o 59-8 53 48 4 2 56 5 l 5° 53 75 & 8.6 60 62 68 60 82 % g- 3 89 90 90 % 92 90.2 86 87 90. 5 95-5 93-7 90 88 S 9 i 9 89 97 94 £ 3 83.5 90 82. s 3 I- 5 80 81 80 70 U 72 g 69 60 65 J 4 62.5 61 it r> [seal.] [Form No. 149 B.] Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Elevation of station above mean sea-level, 7,106 feet.) MINIMUM TEMPERATURE. JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY. JUN. JULY. AUG. SEP. OCT. NOV. DEC 1870. I8 7 I. 1872. 1873. 1874. Z: lllk III 9 : 1881. 1&82. Zero. 11 — 2 2 12 Zero. 5 1 — 2 2 13 19 10 — 2 -3 — 2 1.8 — 3 _ 2 "•3 —13 6 [seal.] 20 14 5 5 iS 17 J 5 Zero. 8 9 23.6 ^9 46 47 52 4S 50 50 50 n 4* 53 49.5 37 is 39 4-^ 27 35 37 ■9 iS -4 20 18 26 16 27 24-5 25 10 4 12 i5 — 11 12 6-5 10 10 6 4 8 2 Zero. -13 - 3 [Form No. 149 B.] LAS VEGAS HOT SPRINGS. Santa Fe, New Mexico. NUMBER OF CLEAR, FAIR AND CLOUDY DAYS. —Clear. —Fair. —Cloudy. YEAR. JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY. JUNE. JULY. AUG. SEP. OCT. NOV. DEC. For the Tear. JS70 17 IO 4 1S71 IS 7 2 16 12 3 »3 13 3 IO 17 4 is 4 13 IS 3 12 17 7 H 10 2 21 8 21 7 9 17 12 2 iS 1 iS 13 3 167 44 1S73 17 II 3 14 5 iS 12 1 9 17 4 10 20 8 ; 6 IS 1 23 7! 2 5 H 12 16 13 21 9 19 9 2 13 12 6 % 45 1S74 8 13 10 6 ,4 8 9 13 9 S I9 6 6 20 s iS l< *, J I9 6 26 5 16 12 2 20 8 3 13 12 S J S 10 6 119 1S0 66 lS7S 10 " 3 8 9 16 12 3 11 16 3 7 1? S «4 J 3 3 3 17 3 21 7 7 ' 7 6 24 7 12 13 s 22 8 138 169 53 1S76 12 5 18 10 I 9 17 17 12 17 u 16 7 21 3 7 19 7 19 12 17 14 10 18 9 138 1S6 1877 9 6. 9 8 13 16 22 H 8 ' 7 6 10 H iS 1 is 9 | iS 7 H 6 162 S3 1878 20 9 2 8 5 8 11 18 17 12 16 13 20 O 16 4 18 i 21 11 ! 10 s 13 9 II iS 5 160 169 136 IS7) 6 9 i6 3 •3 ' 3 6 13 9 22 17 10 22 9 21 4 5 13 10 8 180 152 33 1SS0 19 12 18 6 5 11 16 4 iS 9 3 25 5 1 «3 13 4 S * I 7 16 21 10 1 3 10 17 3 ' 9 8 4 21 6 3 iS s 5 184 157 45 18S1 19 10 2 '3 12 3 16 12 3 12 12 6 8 H 9 iS 11 1 7 13 11 6 iS 7 iS 9 3 iS 5 12 16 2 iSSi ' 7 8 6 '5 2 16 7 8 H »3 3 16 14 1 12 H 4 9 20 2 10 % 18 11 25 5 16 11 3 19 10 2 187 139 39 16 11 4 7 i7 4 IO 16 s 12 13 S ' 7 8 6 18S3 [seal.] LAS VEGAS HOT SPRINGS. 9 The average temperature, estimated by years, excels in mildness many sections of the country. As a guide to a very important factor in health, clothing, it is advisable to state that residents of New Mexico wear the same texture of clothing the year round; that is, regular winter clothing is as necessary in July as in January. There is no "summer solstice" upon this table-land; blankets upon your bed are as requisite in August as in the middle of winter. The presence of winter is only respected by the addition of an extra outer garment. The Springs. These are forty in number and are situated at the base of a foot-hill that slopes down into the Rio Gallinas. In their thermal properties they are divided into two classes : one including springs of a temperature from 120 degrees F. to 140 degrees F.; the other springs varying from 75 degrees to 100 degrees F. There are thirty of the former and ten of the latter. *3tttlCrnfr Twenty-five of the principal springs have been e^Si- vated, so as to form reservoirs, and have been walled and covered with the native red sandstone. Many of the springs are not at present required for the bath-house supply. A single spring, No. 6, furnishing, alone, 30,000 gallons of water daily, at a temperature of 140 degrees F. The warm springs flow from these basins or reservoirs direct into the bath-houses, while the cooler ones run into large tanks upon the hillside, and are thence conducted into the bath-houses to furnish cold water as required. The skin after taking a bath in these waters has a soft velvety feeling and a freshness of aroma savoring of the cosmetic. IO LAS VEGAS HOT SPRINGS. The following analysis is the most recent. The same party is renewing and extending his chemical researches and in a few months will add greatly to present report : ANALYSIS OF WATER FROM MINERAL AND HOI SPRINGS, LAS VEGAS, N. M. Water Collected and Temperatures Taken January, 13, 1882. No. of Spring. Temper- atures, Fahr. Parts of Solid Constituents Contained in 100,000 Parts of Water. Sodium Sodium Chloride! Sulphate Sodium Carbon - ;ite. Calcium Carbon- ate. Silicic Acid. Total Solid Residue. 2 ^5- 5 120 92 140 140 140 7i 114 u 7 124 112 136 E 112. 5 96 27.36 16.82 27-38 1 i5-7 2 23.41 ! 14.62 2S.54 | 16.96 27.86 16.86 5.02 3-04 2-55 2.10 3-30 1.24 2.01 J-54 3.20 1-52 3- H 1.50 1.03 1. 00 2.01 .98 1.08 4 03 2.01 4.02 3-03 2.00 1.05 3.02 2.01 2.05 1. is 5.26 3.01 1.24 1.16 1.05 1.06 1. 00 9-97 4.41 7.20 S.S8 6.03 6.60 6.03 5-45 6. 10 6.80 6.16 6. ? 93 7.26 5- ? 33 65.53 54.06 58.33 57-90 56.20 55-63 5.80 54.60 56.40 54.83 56.46 57.00 55-40 55-90 . 57-73 56.16 3 4 5 6 QV, 28.02 28.63 27.86 27.70 26.04 26.03 28.03 28. 85 27.36 27.36 27.86 26.63 10.80 15-15 17.S6 15-70 17.72 18.00 18.64 19.86 17.22 17-54 ? /2 :;;.;.... 8 and 9 10 11 with 10 and 12 12 13 14 15 16 17... 18. . 19* 22 with 20 106 86 75 123 26.87 28.19 27.36 28. 19 33 -oi "•54 14.10 17-32 12.50 18.14 1.23 1.16 «.«5 2.33 11.20 1. 10 1.0S 3-oi 38- 52 6.20 ? 6.63 6.20 1.20 54-56 56.95 57.00 21 22 23 Cold Sulphur f 102.06 * Spring overflowed at time of collecting water, f Sulphuretted hydrogen gas. The quantity of Magnesium Carbonate in most of these waters is very small, with indications of a small quantity of Potassium and traces of Lithium. Carbonic Acid is probably in the bubbles arising from most of these springs. J. T. LOVEWELL, Prof, of Chemistry, Washburn College, Topeka, Kan. What diseases are cured or benefited by these waters and mud baths? Acute and Chronic Rheumatism, Gout, Blood Poi- sons, Skin Diseases of all classes, Glandular and Scrofula Diseases, General Physical Debility, Mental Exhaustion, Spinal Troubles, Nervous Affections of all kinds, Catarrh, Dyspepsia, Hepatic Troubles, Injuries to Joints and Bones of long standing, Ulcers, Female Weaknesses, Asthma, Hay Fever. Syphilis, etc., etc., etc. T.AS VEGAS HOT SPRINGS. II Bath- Houses. There are two bath-houses — one for water treatment and the other exclusively for mud baths. The main bath-house is built of the native red sand- stone, is two stories high and two hundred feet long by forty-two feet wide. The upper story is occupied by offices — physicians, post-office, museum and drug store, while the lower story is assigned for bath-rooms, both for males and females. The building is a very handsome one and is complete in all its appointments. It is located on the right bank of the Rio Gallinas river, opposite the hotels and is approached by three bridges. The mud bath house is in the rear of the main building and is built of wood. It is intended to be replaced by one of more pretension and greater capacity in the near future. The bath-house attendants, male and female, are selected from similar institutions throughout the country and are experts in their line. The entire capacity of both bath- houses is 1,000 baths per day, giving every variety of bath. The style of baths and prices for same including attendance, towels, etc., are as follows: Shampoo baths, - Electric baths, - Medicated baths, ---.'- Vapor baths, - - Vapor and Pack baths, Tub baths, -'-■-." Tub and Pack baths, Mud baths, singly, Three for $5.00; five for $S.oo; seven for $10.00; ten for $12.50. Special treatment, Massage, - - - 1.00 Massage, extra, at time of taking any kind of bath, .50 Bathing Hours, 6 a. m. to 6 p.m. On Saturdays, Bathing Hours, - 6 a. m. to 10 p. nu each, $I.OO u I. OO (( I. OO u •75 u 1.00 a •5° a •75 - 3.00 12 LAS VEGAS HOT SPRINGS. Except tub baths, which are given from 90 degrees to 100 degrees F., all others should be prescribed by a licensed physician. Separate apartments, with complete bathing apparatus, are provided for patients afflicted with loathsome and contagious diseases. The mud baths are a peculiar feature of these springs and their prominence in the treatment of diseases deserves more than a passing notice. These mud baths are similar to the celebrated " peat baths" at Carlsbad, Bohemia. The percolation of chemical water for centuries through the earth surrounding the springs has produced this peat or mud. Viewed under the microscope, it appears gelatinous, its earthly properties having under- gone a change. The baths are prepared as follows: The mud is first freed from all foreign substances, such as sticks, stones, etc. Each tub is then filled half full of mud and mixed up with warm spring water to the consistency of thin honey. At the hour for bathing, the bath is warmed up by steam to the temperature ordered by the physician. Every five days fresh mud is renewed. A patient takes one bath a day, generally — from fifteen minutes to one hour. Upon leaving the tub the patient walks, or is carried, under the graduated douche, and is thoroughly hosed off, then rubbed down clean and dry, and placed on a couch in the " resting room " for thirty minutes or longer. This bath acts like a huge poultice, extracting, by free diaphoresis or sweating, diseases that have baffled the skill of all schools of medicine both at home and abroad. In many cases the " pack V and a massage " are ordered after mud baths as a reinforcer. LAS VEGAS HOT SPRINGS. 13. Strange as it may seem to the reader, these mud baths are immensely popular, and the most fastidious of either sex confess to their luxury and wonderful curative effects. One hundred thousand baths have been given at these springs since their purchase by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. Company to the date of this pub- lication. Hotels, Etc. At the Springs there are two hotels. "The Hot Springs Hotel," erected in 1879. It is built of the native red sandstone, is three stories high, and has rooming capacity for one hundred (100) guests. It has lately been refur- nished and heated by steam, and is one of the most com- fortable homelike houses to be found in the west. The season of 1885 is opened by the occupancy of the new Las Vegas Hot Springs Hotel. This splendid structure takes the place of the "Montezuma," which was unfortunately burned in January, 1884. It has not the same location, but has been placed at a considerable ele- vation on the side of the mountain, so as to command one of the most pleasing views of the Rocky Mountain region, including cliff, canyon, mountain, and, in strong contrast, the wide green meadows called "Las Vegas." The new hotel is, unlike the former, constructed of solid stone, and is, as nearly as it is possible to make any building, fire-proof. It is the result of a large experience in the proper plan and construction of a watering-place hotel, and is undoubtedly the most commodious, conven- ient and elegant building of its kind in the whole range of western watering-places. It is almost impossible to say too much in regard to the care and prevision adopted to guard against the recurrence of the misfortune which destroyed the former hotel. This is constructed as it H LAS VEGAS HOT SPRINGS. would be in the midst of a large city, so far as material, situation in regard to inflammable structures, and anti-fire appliances are concerned. Probably the best guaranty possible is the fact that the Company do not especially desire to build a third mammoth hotel. The novelty of that feature has worn off. There are in this hotel more than three hundred rooms, furnished in the finest style of which modern art is capa- ble, and, while varying in style and decoration, each one is about as good as another. There are ladies' and gen- tlemen's reception rooms, furnished elaborately in hard woods and tapestry, and general parlors on every floor. Carpets are made after special and varying designs, and the window hangings are superb specimens of decorative art. In the proper locations are sewing rooms for the feminine population of the building; also private billiard and reading rooms for their especial use. In the lower regions provision has been amply made for the amusement of the hardier sex. There are billiard and bowling rooms, finished in hard woods and furnished with every convenience. A round tower is an architect- ural feature of one angle of the structure, from whose various stories and windows views may be had which include almost every feature of nature. All around the front and sides of the building extend wide balconies, furnished with every variety of easy-chair that has so far been invented by Indolence to delight the invalid or rest the mountain climber. In one word, the end and object of a mountain resort has been attained in this structure and its surroundings. Popular from its original opening three years ago, it seems now, with its new and fresh appliances for the comfort, health and pleasure of its guests, to have entered upon a new career of popularity and prosperity. LAS VEGAS HOT SPRINGS. ' 1 5 There are several attractions upon the grounds in con- nection with the hotels — museum of antiquities, aviary, zoological collections, etc., a large green-house well filled with flora and variegated plants. The hotels at the springs are in postal, telephone and telegraphic connection with the outside world. The rates at both houses are very moderate, the price at the Montezuma being from $3.00 to $4.00 per day and $17.50 to $24.50 per week; at the Hot Springs Hotel, $2.00 to $3.00 per day and $12.00 to $17.50 per week. There are several cottages upon the ground that take roomers and boarders. Four trains a day each way run between the Springs and city of Las Vegas. The city has a population of 8,000 souls. Routes and Rates. The Springs can be reached by many lines converging into Kansas City, Atchison and El Paso, Texas. A schedule of rates from points below are as follows: R'd Trip 1st Class. 2d Class. Emigrant. Good for 90 days. CHICAGO $43.85 $36.85 $ $52.00 KANSAS CITY.. 31.35 27.75 2 4-°5 3 2 -°° ATCHISON 31 .35 27.75 24.05 32.00 EL PASO, Tex., to ) HOT SPRINGS j 22 ' 75 The 1st, 2d and emigrant tickets are good to Las Vegas only. The fare from Las Vegas to Hot Springs is thirty (30) cents. The round-trip tickets are good for 90 days and carry one direct to the Hot Springs without any additional cost. The cure of respiratory diseases by residing in a high, dry, rarified atmosphere, such as is offered at the Las Vegas Hot Springs, is receiving the most searching inves- tigation by the members of the medical profession at large. l6 ' LAS VEGAS HOT SPRINGS. The climates of Florida and Southern California are too damp and malarial; too enervating, lacking atmos- pherical tonicity. The statistics of the U. S. Army confirm the fact that New Mexico has a less ratio of respiratory diseases than any other part of the country, the ratio being 1.3 per thousand, while in other sections of the country it ranges from 2.3 to 6.9 per thousand. The climate of New Mexico is continuously fine. The location of the territory so far inland and elevated, there is less humidity and more sunshine than in lower latitudes. Consumptives in the first stages of that disease, and invalids afflicted with other respiratory troubles ('acute or chronic), derive immediate benefit from the dry, stimulat- ing climate, so impregnated with ozone and electricity. The climate cure is not alone confined to American prac- titioners, but foreign members of the faculty send their patients to Davos and other Alpine winter retreats. If there is a cure for pulmonary, etc., complaints, that medical mecca is to be found in the high, dry climate of New Mexico, and at the placid retreat of the Las Vegas Hot Springs. While the country in the northwest, middle and east- ern States is ice-bound and frozen, the residents of New Mexico are basking in genial sunshine. All outdoor labor is carried on the entire year, with but few days excepted. New Mexico, apart from being a great sanitarium in its climate and thermal springs, offers inducements to those afflicted with ill health to move there and invest in its various enterprises — cattle, sheep ranches, mines, mills and manufactories. This concise and statistical record is sufficient to con- vince the afflicted of all kinds that the climate of the Las Vegas Hot Springs is their only recourse and refuge to preserve and perpetuate health. ^■j>r'' ;