英语翻译
Asubjectwhichseemstohavebeeninsufficientlystudiedbydoctorsandpsychologistsistheinfluenceofgeographyandclimateonthepsychologicalandphysicalhealthofmankind.Thereseemsnodoubtthatthegeneralcharacterofthelandscape,therelativelengthofdayandnight,andtheclimatemustallplayabigpartindeterminingwhatkindofpeopleweare.
Itistruethatafewstudieshavebeenmade.Wherealltheinhabitantsofaparticularareaenjoyexceptionallygoodorbadhealth,scientistshaveidentifiedcontributoryfactorssuchasthepresenceorabsenceofsubstanceslikeiodine,fluoride,calcium,orironinthewatersupply,orperhapstypesoflandthatprovidebreedingplacesforpestslikemosquitoesorrats.
Moreover,wecanallgeneralizeabouttypesofpeoplewehavemet.Thoselivingincountrieswithlongdarkwintersareapttobelesstalkativeandlessvivaciousthaninhabitantsofcountrieswheretheclimateismoreequable.Andwheretheoliveandtheorangegrow,theretheinhabitantsarecheerful,talkative,andspontaneous.
Butthesecommonplacegeneralizationsareinadequate:theinfluenceofclimateandgeographyshouldbestudiedindepth.Doallmountaindwellerslivetoaripeoldage?Doesthedrinkingofwine,ratherthanbeer,resultinasunnyandopentemperament?IsthestrengthandheightofoneoftheKenyantribesduetotheirhabitualdrinkingofthebloodofcows?
Wearenotyetsureoftheanswerstosuchquestions,butletushopethatsomethingofbenefittomankindmayeventuallyresultfromsuchstudies