Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from Arizona Sketches, by J. A. Munk
The effect of heat upon the body is measured by the difference in the
actual and sensible temperatures, as recorded by the dry and wet bulb
thermometers. When both stand nearly together as they are apt to do in
a humid atmosphere, the heat becomes insufferable. In the dry climate
of Arizona such a condition cannot occur. The difference in the two
instruments is always great, often as much as forty degrees. For this
reason, a temperature of 118 degrees F. at Yuma is less oppressive than
98 degrees F. is in New York. A low relative humidity gives comfort
and freedom from sunstroke even when the thermometer registers the
shade temperature in three figures.
A dry, warm climate is a stimulant to the cutaneous function. The skin
is an important excreting organ that is furnished with a large number
of sweat glands which are for the dual purpose of furnishing moisture
for cooling the body by evaporation and the elimination of worn out and
waste material from the organism. As an organ it is not easily injured
by over work, but readily lends its function in an emergency in any
effort to relieve other tired or diseased organs of the body. By
vicarious action the skin is capable of performing much extra labor
without injury to itself and can be harnessed temporarily for the
relief of some vital part which has become crippled until its function
can be restored.
A diseased kidney depends particularly upon the skin for succor more
than any other organ. When the kidneys from any cause fail to act the
skin comes to their rescue and throws off impurities which nature
intended should go by the renal route. For this reason diabetes and
albuminuria, the most stubborn of all kidney diseases, are usually
benefited by a dry, warm climate. The benefit derived is due to an
increase of the insensible transpiration rather than to profuse
perspiration. The air of Arizona is so dry and evaporation so rapid
that an increase in perspiration is scarcely noticeable except when it
is confined by impervious clothing. The disagreeable feeling of wet
clothes which accompanies profuse perspiration in a damp climate is
changed to an agreeable sensation of coolness in a dry one.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Arizona Sketches by J. A. Munk
Context of the Source
Arizona Sketches (1909) by Dr. J. A. Munk is a collection of observations and essays about life, health, and the natural environment in early 20th-century Arizona. Munk, a physician, wrote extensively about the medical and physiological benefits of Arizona’s arid climate, particularly for those suffering from respiratory and kidney diseases. At the time, Arizona was being promoted as a health destination for "lungers" (tuberculosis patients) and others with chronic illnesses, due to its dry air and abundant sunshine. This excerpt reflects the scientific and medical optimism of the era regarding climate therapy.
Themes in the Excerpt
- Climate and Human Physiology – The passage explores how dry heat affects the body differently than humid heat, emphasizing Arizona’s unique climatic advantages.
- The Skin as a Vital Organ – Munk presents the skin as a dynamic, adaptive organ that compensates for failures in other bodily systems (e.g., kidneys).
- Medical Benefits of Arid Climates – The text promotes Arizona as a therapeutic environment, particularly for kidney diseases like diabetes and albuminuria.
- Scientific Rationalism – Munk uses empirical measurements (thermometers, humidity levels) to support his claims, reflecting the medical and scientific optimism of the early 1900s.
Literary and Rhetorical Devices
Contrast & Comparison
- Munk juxtaposes Arizona’s dry heat (118°F) with New York’s humid heat (98°F), arguing that the former is less oppressive due to low humidity.
- He contrasts profuse perspiration (unpleasant in humid climates) with insensible transpiration (comfortable in dry climates).
Scientific & Medical Jargon
- Terms like "cutaneous function," "vicarious action," "renal route," "insensible transpiration" lend authority to his claims, appealing to a medically informed audience.
- The use of thermometer readings (dry vs. wet bulb) grounds his argument in measurable science.
Personification of the Skin
- The skin is described as an active, almost heroic organ:
- "readily lends its function in an emergency"
- "comes to their rescue [kidneys']"
- "can be harnessed temporarily for the relief of some vital part"
- This anthropomorphism makes the biological process more relatable and dramatic.
- The skin is described as an active, almost heroic organ:
Cause-and-Effect Reasoning
- Munk explains why dry heat is beneficial:
- Low humidity → rapid evaporation → cooling effect → less strain on the body.
- Kidney failure → skin compensates → impurities expelled → health improvement.
- Munk explains why dry heat is beneficial:
Persuasive Tone
- The passage is promotional, aiming to convince readers (likely potential health seekers) of Arizona’s benefits.
- Phrases like "less oppressive," "agreeable sensation of coolness," "usually benefited" create a positive, reassuring impression.
Line-by-Line Analysis & Significance
1. Heat and Humidity (First Paragraph)
"The effect of heat upon the body is measured by the difference in the actual and sensible temperatures, as recorded by the dry and wet bulb thermometers."
- Dry bulb thermometer measures air temperature.
- Wet bulb thermometer measures temperature adjusted for humidity (evaporative cooling).
- Munk introduces a scientific framework to explain why dry heat feels different.
"When both stand nearly together as they are apt to do in a humid atmosphere, the heat becomes insufferable."
- In humid climates (e.g., New York), the two thermometers show little difference because sweat doesn’t evaporate well → heat feels worse.
- This sets up the contrast with Arizona.
"In the dry climate of Arizona such a condition cannot occur. The difference in the two instruments is always great, often as much as forty degrees."
- Arizona’s low humidity means the wet bulb temperature is much lower → sweat evaporates instantly, cooling the body.
- Forty-degree difference is extreme, emphasizing Arizona’s uniqueness.
"For this reason, a temperature of 118 degrees F. at Yuma is less oppressive than 98 degrees F. is in New York."
- Counterintuitive claim: Higher temperature in Arizona feels better than lower temperature in a humid place.
- This would have been shocking to Eastern readers, making Arizona seem like a miraculous health retreat.
"A low relative humidity gives comfort and freedom from sunstroke even when the thermometer registers the shade temperature in three figures."
- "Three figures" = 100°F+.
- Munk reassures readers that even extreme heat is tolerable in dry air, debunking fears of desert climates.
2. The Skin as a Dynamic Organ (Second Paragraph)
"A dry, warm climate is a stimulant to the cutaneous function."
- "Cutaneous" = relating to the skin.
- The skin is not passive but actively responds to climate.
"The skin is an important excreting organ that is furnished with a large number of sweat glands which are for the dual purpose of furnishing moisture for cooling the body by evaporation and the elimination of worn out and waste material from the organism."
- Two key functions of sweat:
- Cooling (thermoregulation).
- Detoxification (removing waste).
- Munk presents the skin as a multifunctional, resilient system.
"As an organ it is not easily injured by over work, but readily lends its function in an emergency in any effort to relieve other tired or diseased organs of the body."
- The skin is durable and adaptable.
- "Vicarious action" (mentioned later) = the skin takes over when other organs fail.
"By vicarious action the skin is capable of performing much extra labor without injury to itself and can be harnessed temporarily for the relief of some vital part which has become crippled until its function can be restored."
- Medical metaphor: The skin is like a backup system for failing organs.
- This would have been reassuring to sick readers, suggesting their bodies could self-repair in Arizona’s climate.
3. Kidney Disease and Climate Therapy (Third Paragraph)
"A diseased kidney depends particularly upon the skin for succor more than any other organ."
- "Succor" = aid, relief.
- Munk prioritizes kidney patients, a major health concern at the time (before dialysis).
"When the kidneys from any cause fail to act the skin comes to their rescue and throws off impurities which nature intended should go by the renal route."
- Kidney failure → skin compensates by excreting waste through sweat.
- "Renal route" = normal urine excretion.
- This explains why dry climates help kidney patients.
"For this reason diabetes and albuminuria, the most stubborn of all kidney diseases, are usually benefited by a dry, warm climate."
- Diabetes (then often fatal) and albuminuria (protein in urine, a sign of kidney damage) were major health crises.
- Munk positions Arizona as a cure, which would have been highly appealing to suffering patients.
"The benefit derived is due to an increase of the insensible transpiration rather than to profuse perspiration."
- "Insensible transpiration" = unnoticeable water loss through skin and breath (not sweating).
- In dry air, evaporation happens so fast that you don’t feel sweaty → more comfortable.
"The air of Arizona is so dry and evaporation so rapid that an increase in perspiration is scarcely noticeable except when it is confined by impervious clothing."
- No sticky, wet clothes (unlike humid climates).
- "Impervious clothing" = non-breathable fabrics (e.g., wool, heavy cotton) that trap sweat.
"The disagreeable feeling of wet clothes which accompanies profuse perspiration in a damp climate is changed to an agreeable sensation of coolness in a dry one."
- Final persuasive appeal: Arizona doesn’t just tolerate heat—it makes it pleasant.
- This would have been a strong selling point for Easterners fearful of desert life.
Significance of the Passage
Medical & Historical Context
- In the early 1900s, tuberculosis, kidney disease, and diabetes were often fatal.
- Climate therapy was a major medical trend, with places like Arizona, Colorado, and Switzerland becoming health destinations.
- Munk’s writing reflects the optimism of the time about natural cures before modern medicine (antibiotics, dialysis).
Promotion of Arizona as a Health Paradise
- The passage is essentially an advertisement for Arizona, aimed at wealthy, sick Easterners.
- It debunks myths about desert heat being unbearable and instead presents it as therapeutic.
Scientific vs. Anecdotal Persuasion
- Munk blends hard science (thermometers, physiology) with persuasive language ("agreeable sensation," "comes to their rescue").
- This hybrid approach makes his argument both credible and emotionally appealing.
Legacy of Climate Medicine
- While modern medicine has largely moved beyond climate therapy, Munk’s ideas persist in wellness culture (e.g., infrared saunas, dry heat therapy).
- Arizona still markets itself as a health destination (e.g., for arthritis, respiratory issues).
Conclusion: Why This Excerpt Matters
Munk’s passage is more than just a scientific explanation—it’s a persuasive pitch for Arizona as a land of healing. By combining medical authority, vivid contrasts, and reassuring language, he convinces readers that the desert’s extreme heat is not only tolerable but beneficial. His personification of the skin as a heroic, adaptive organ makes the science accessible and hopeful, while his emphasis on kidney disease speaks directly to the fears of his audience.
Today, the excerpt serves as a fascinating snapshot of early 20th-century medicine, health tourism, and the power of climate in shaping human well-being. It also reveals how scientific writing can be rhetorical, blending facts with persuasion to promote a place—and an idea.