A glorious afternoon; the moving shades
Have wheeled their slow half-circles, pointing now
Toward the sunshiny east; a shadow haze
Trembles amidst the azure overhead,
Deepening to purple at the horizon’s skirts.
Nature is smiling sweetly, and my feet
Are wandering in the pleasant woods once more.
Keen nights have told Winter on its way,
And Autumn from the dark gaunt trees has drawn,
(Save a few shreds upon the beech and oak)
His gorgeous robe, and cast it o’er the earth
For Indian Summer’s glimmering form to rest
Awhile upon it, ere the blighting frost
And muffling snow. More golden is the sun. Than in its
summer radiance, and it throws
Its charm on all around. Along this path
I tread, light-hearted, glad to be alone
With nature. Beautiful and grand art thou!
This is a section taken from
“October Ramble” (1840), a poem written by Alfred B. Street. A reputable poet
for his time, Street was ranked with fellow colleagues Bryant and Emerson. Using
the American landscape as his muse, Street wrote of the natural beauty and
general magnificence to be found in the Adirondack region, speaking to its esthetically pleasing and spiritually cleansing qualities.
Like Street
did through his poetry, many people have attested to the mentally and
physically restorative powers of the Adirondack region. Edward Trudeau, a New
York physician in the 19th century, fervently supported the benefits
of living in the wilderness. A year after he graduated medical school, Trudeau
suffered through his own battle with tuberculosis. In 1872 he travelled to the
Adirondacks to die in peace. However, amidst the fresh air and uncontaminated
environment, he was able to return back to health. His recovery prompted
Trudeau to encourage other tuberculosis patients to retreat to the mountain air
for a chance at regaining their health. In 1885 he founded the Adirondack
Cottage Sanatorium based on his own treatment and successes. Sanatoriums became
the desired treatment for illnesses during the time. The high death rate of
Tuberculosis compelled patients from all over to retreat to sanatoriums for a
chance of recovery. Many of these sanatoriums followed Dr. Trudeau’s design,
including wide verandas for patients to view the magnificent landscapes and
breath in the fresh air of the environment (pictured below).
Dr.
Trudea’s theory of the healing properties of fresh air was not entirely
incorrect. Yet, the healthy diet and exercise maintained by the patients during
this time also helped to strengthen their immune systems to fight off their
disease. The “sanatorium cure” however, could not fully cure the patient’s of
Tuberculosis.
Despite
these facts, the history of the Adirondack Sanatorium’s speaks to the healing
powers of the Adirondack environment, and persuades us to maintain the
pristine, and purifying elements of it’s ecosystem. Otherwise, the environment that Alfred Street so poetically speaks of will cease to exist. The clean air that Trudeau attests to be so cleansing will be polluted by our industries. Trees will be cut down for logging and game will be hunted beyond the point of sustainability. In the end, if we continue to exploit and abuse our environment, we will not have a wilderness to retreat to.
Sources:
Image provided by:
http://exhibits.hsl.virginia.edu/breath/mountain-air/
I remember of a part of Murray's book in which he talked about this same thing. He recounts the tale of a dying man who goes to the Adirondacks and comes back healed. He says, "the wilderness received him almost a corpse. It returned him to his home and the world as happy and healthy a man as ever…" (Murray, 14). This idea that nature has healing powers is really interesting, even if it has no evidence behind it besides a few people who happened to be healed while in the wilderness. I think that nature has mental healing qualities rather than physical. There's a reason why people "escape" or retreat to the mountains. As someone who has spent time in the mountains in New Hampshire, I can understand why nature was thought to have healing powers. There's something so freeing and peaceful about having no internet connection and just being away from the business of life.
ReplyDeleteHere's the coolest part: there is actual scientific evidence that "forest bathing" has medicinal benefits! Check it out (one of many studies): http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/3/2532
ReplyDeleteI certainly believe that nature, and the Adirondacks have healing powers. I never feel so alive as when I'm in those mountains and valleys! Thanks for sharing this history with us, it's fascinating!
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