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THE PHILIPPINES
The climate in the lowlands is tropical, but compared with most other tropic countries it is neither unhealthful nor unpleasantly hot, even to people born in t temperate climates. At certain seasons of the year humidity in the atmosphere mak the heat trying, but the thermometer seldom registers the temperatures not uncor monly experienced in New York, Washington, or Tokyo in the height of summe Moreover the periods of extreme heat and extreme humidity, in the Philippines, not coincide. The hot and dry season occurs in the greater part of the country durin the period March to May, while the heavy rains fall between June and September: Speaking in general the heat in most parts of the Philippines is never extreme, and sula stroke is so rare as to be almost unheard of. Due to the fact that the islands are coo stantly fanned by refreshing sea breezes, the nights are pleasantly cool. In the high altitudes the climate is temperate, and at times wintry. At the mountain resort 1 Baguio, 150 miles north of Manila, log fires are to be found burning in the living room of most homesides during the greater part of the year.
The northern part of the archipelago lies within the typhoon area, and violepl storms which usually have their origin in the Pacific, east of the Philippines, n infrequently sweep over the country leaving destruction in their wake. Time warning of the approach of a typhoon is invariably published by the Weath Bureau of Manila, so that every possible precaution may be taken to prever unnecessary loss of life and destruction of property.
The Philippines is at times subject to great seismic and volcanic activity. Of th active volcanoes, Mayon, in the province of Albay, is noteworthy because of i symmetrical shape, which is an almost perfect cone. This volcano has broken forth 1 destructive eruption on several occasions within recent years. During the eruptic of 1900 lava flowed from its crater to the sea, a distance of nearly ten miles. In Januar 1911, Taal Volcano, on a small island in the middle of Lake Taal, 40 miles south Manila, burst forth with titanic violence, causing great loss of life and annihilating dozen villages. Other important active volcanoes are Canlaon in Negros, Apo Mindanao, Člaro Babuan on a small island north of Luzon, and Catarman on th island of Camiguin. This volcano made its first appearance in 1856 as a column smoke between two rocks. In the following year it underwent violent eruption attended by earthquakes, and by 1860 it had attained an elevation of 700 feet. nearly all the islands of the archipelago extinct volcanoes exist.
HEALTH
The Bureau of Health is the Government branch in charge of enforcing measur and promulgating rules and regulations for the promotion and protection of publ health and for the maintenance of general sanitary conditions. Its jurisdictici extends to all the cities, towns and barrios of the Philippines. Due to its work, there h been noticeable general health improvement all over the archipelago during the pa two decades and the people of the Philippines are beginning to realize the advantag of a well-organized and nation-wide system of sanitation. The old attitude of distru towards sanitary rules in the country has disappeared; the people to-day are exertir all their energies toward promoting the gospel of clean and healthy living. Hospita are fast increasing throughout the country, and every day they are gaining ground the estimation of the people. In Manila, the largest and one of the most up-to-da among the hospitals is the Philippine General Hospital. There are 27 hospitals in th city of Manila and 46 in the provinces. Activities related to child welfare in gener are looked after by the Bureau of Public Welfare. The Board of Pharmaceutic Examiners and Inspectors has the immediate supervision and control of all pharmacie drug-stores, dispensaries and similar establishments, both private and public, in th Philippines
The death rate among the European and American residents of Manila is said be lower than the death rate in New York or Chicago. This may be accounted faj however, by the fact that a majority of such residents do not establish themselves the Philippines until they have reached adult age, and they almost invariably return their more temperate homeland as they approach the declining years. Moreover, as rule, only the physically fit venture to leave their own country for the purpose of carvin out careers for themselves overseas. Ideal health resorts are found in the highland such as Baguio in the Mountain Province, (5000 feet above sea level), and the settlemen in the vicinity of Lake Lanao, in Mindanao. The medicinal qualities of the waters Sibul Springs, Los Baños, Klondyke's (on the Benguet) road, and many other hot mineral springs, are known to be of great value.