Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 1616

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PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

monly experienced in New York, Washington, or Tokyo in the height of summer. Moreover the periods of extreme heat and extreme humidity, in the Philippines, do not coincide. The hot and dry season occurs in the greater part of the islands during the period March to May, while the heavy rains fall between July and September. Speaking in general the heat in most parts of the islands is never extreme, and sun- stroke is so rare as to be almost unheard of. Due to the fact that the islands are con- stantly fanned by refreshing sea breezes, the nights are pleasantly cool. In the higher altitudes the climate is temperate, and at times wintry. At the mountain resort of Baguio, 180 miles north of Manila, log fires are to be found burning in the living rooms of most homesides during the greater part of the year.

The greater part of the archipelago lies within the typhoon area, and violent storms which usually have their origin in the Pacific, a few hundred miles east of the island of Luzon, not infrequently sweep over the islands leaving destruction in their wake. Timely warning of the approach of a typhoon is invariably published by the Weather Bureau of Manila, so that every possible precaution may be taken to prevent unnecessary loss of life and destruction of property.

The islands are at times subject to great seismic and volcanic activity. Of the active volcanoea, Mayon, in the province of Albay, is noteworthy because of its symmetrical shape, which is an almost perfeet cone. This volcano has broken forth in destructive eruption on several occasions within recent years. During the eruption of 1900 lava flowed from its crater to the sea, a distance of nearly ten miles. In January, 1911, Taal Volcano, on a small island in the middle of Lake Taal, 40 miles south of Manila, burst forth with titanic violence, causing great loss of life and annihilating a dozen villages. Other important active volcanoes are Canlaon in Negros, Apo in Mindanao, Claro Babuan on a small island north of Luzon, and Catarınan on the island of Camaguin. This volcano made its first appearance in 1856 as a column of 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. In nearly all the islands of the archipelago extinct volcanoes exist, and there is no doubt that the various volcanic belts bear an intimate relation to the centers ef earthquake activity.

HEALTH

The Philippine Health Service is the Government branch in charge of enforcing measures and promulgating rules and regulation for the promotion and protection of public health and for the maintenance of general sanitary conditions. Its jurisdiction extends to all the cities, towns and barrios of the Islands. Due to its work, there has been noticeable general health improvement all over the archipelago during the past two decades. The system of sanitation actually enforced in the Philippine Islands is conceded to be on a par with that of any other civilized country in the world. The people of the Philippines are beginning to realize the advantages of a well-organized and nation-wide system of sanitation. The old attitude of distrust towards sanitary rules in the country has disappeared; the people to-day are exerting all their energies toward promoting the gospel of clean and healthy living. Hospitals are fast increas- ing throughout the Islands, and every day they are gaining ground in the estimation of the people. In Manila, the largest and most up-to-date among the hospitals is the Philippine General Hospital. There are 10 hospitals in the city of Manila and 21 in the provinces. Activities related to child welfare in general are looked after by the office of the Public Welfare Commissioner. The Board of Pharmaceutical Ex- aminers and Inspectors has the immediate supervision and control of all pharmacies, drug-stores, dispensaries and similar establishments, both private and public, in the Philippines.

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The death rate among the European and American residents of Manila is said to be lower than the death rate in New York or Chicago. This may be accounted for, however, by the fact that a majority of such residents do not establish themselves in the islands until they have reached adult age, and they almost invariably return to their more temperate homeland as they approach the declining years. Moreover, as a rule, only the physically fit venture to leave their own country for the purpose of carving out careers for themselves overseas. Ideal health resorts are found in the highlands, such as Baguio in the Mountain Province, (5000 feet above sea level); and the settlements in the vicinity of Lake Lauao, in Hindanas. The medicinal qualities of the waters of Sibul Springs, Los Baños, Kloudyke's (on the Benguet) road, and many other hot or mineral springs, are known to be of great values for domen

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