Directory_and_Chronicle_1938 — Page 1722

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PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

The climate in the lowlands is tropical, but compared with most other tropical countries it is neither unhealthful nor unpleasantly hot, even to people born in the temperate climates. At certain seasons of the year humidity in the atmosphere makes the heat trying, but the thermometer seldom registers the temperatures not uncom- 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 June and September. Speaking in gencral the heat in most parts of the islands is never extremc, 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 breezcs, the nights are pleasantly cool. In the higher altitudes the climate is temperate, and at times wintry. At the mountain resort of Baguio, 150 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 northern part of the archipelago lies within the typhoon area, and violent storms which usually have their origin in the Pacific, east of the Philippines 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.

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The islands are at times subject to great seismic and volcanic activity. Of the active volcanoes, Mayon, in the province of Albay, is noteworthy because of its symmetrical shape, which is an almost perfect 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 Catarman on the island of Camiguin. 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.

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HEALTH

The Bureau of Health 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 and 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 increasing throughout the Islands, and every day they are gaining ground in the estimation of the people. In Manila, the largest and one of the 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 Bureau of Public Welfare. The Board of Pharmaceutical Examiners and Inspectors has the immediate supervision and control of all pharmacies, drug-stores, dispensaries and similar establishments, both private and public, in the Philippines

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 oareers 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 Lanao, in Mindanao. The medicinal qualities of the waters of Sibul Springs, Los Baños, Klondyke's (on the Benguet) road, and many other hot or mineral springs, are known to be of great value.