WATTERS+Mitman+CHAPTER+ONE

The first chapter of Breathing Space, written by Gregg Mitman, the director of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, is an analysis of Hay Fever in late 19th century United States. This time period of the United States was full of new wealth with the train systems and other technological advances. Cities became places of movement, goods coming and going at faster and faster rates. As we now know, our natural and built environments have an effect on our health. People viewed Hay Fever as a disease caused by wealth, or at least wealthy men would want you to think. Even though many poor and middle class citizens were also affected by hay fever, the wealthy did have a larger impact looking back in history.

Hay fever resorts along railways sprang up after wealthy citizens noticed that vacationing during the autumn months seemed to alleviate the disease. This realization, along with a social club and plenty of money, constructed resorts for other wealthy hay fever sufferers. It didnt take long until some hay fever sufferers began to ask, Why?. These men were in search for the answer to why different environments helped rid hay fever when others worsened it. This led to the study of immunology.

QUOTES:

"If place shaped illness, illness also shaped place." (Mitman, 39)

"Almost every railroad brochure, steamship booklet, tourist guide...took the traveler on a journey deep into the mythic past: noble, romantic, and pure." (Mitman, 38)

QUESTIONS:

1. From what generation did the majority of preservationists and conservationists come from?

2. Are Native American susceptible to Ragweed?