WRONGLY NAMED

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1931, Page 22

WRONGLY NAMED

From time immemorial the Dead Sea lias been connected iv the minds of the Western races with everything that is abominablo and unprofitable. Its .name alone is sufficient to damn it, and its connection, or rather reputed connection, with the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah has created an. age-long prejudice against it. Never •was there a greater fallacy, which now, fortunately for mankind, is being dispelled, says a writer in tho "New York Times."

It is a significant fact that in the languages of the Romans, the Arabs, and the Jews, who presumably should know moro about this lake than any other races, it has never been known as the Dead Sea.

Prom almost every point of view tho expression "Dead" is the term least applicable to this wonderfully beautiful lake, for it contains vast quantities of potash —ouo of tho primordial necessities of vegetable life, on which in turn depends aaimal life—and other valuable salts in practically illimitable quantities, so that it forms in itself, perhaps, the richest treasure house of the world, which is now beginning to be exploited for the ultimate benefit of agronomy and the arts and crafts throughout the world. The great salinity of this vast body of water, about the same size lag Lake Geneva, is fatal to germa and to the breeding of noxious insect pests, so that it may safely be called the most healthful body of water in the whole world for human beings to bathe in, and to have their habitations on its shores. Lying as it docs cradled 1300 feet, below main ocean level, between tho lowering mountains of Transjordania— the Moab Mountains on the enst and the monntains of Judea on the westits scenic beauty and historical interest

DEAD SEA'S VIRTUES

are -unique, while the meteorological conditions set up by its physical geography make its climate, especially during the autumn, winter, and spring months, the most perfect imaginable. No other spot has such a combination of favourable natural conditions, namely, almost continuous genial sunshine with a very dry atmosphere —there are only about two inches of rain per annum —and a temperature for months on end averaging about 70 degrees. The. air is so clear, fog or mist being unknown, that often tho snows of Mount Hermon, more than 100 miles away, are visible to the naked eye; it is very rare that the visibility docs not extend to sixty miles.

But there aro many other attractive features. Owing to the high baromct' rio pressure, due to the depth below ocean level, those who suffer from weak hearts experience immediate relief on arriving there, while the effect upon everybody is one of ■ extraordinary energy and rejuvenation of mental and physical powers. Perhaps the most striking thing about this lake is the fact that stubborn cases of rheumatic troubles are cured by a short course of bathing in its waters.

A scheme is on foot to build a spa I on the northern shores of tho lake combining not only a place for the treatment of rheumatic troubles, but also a sunshine and sports centre with a fleet of motor vessels which will provide ac-cess, hitherto almost impossible in comfort, to the many historical places rouwJ tho lake. The scenery is j very beautiful, especially on tho hitherto unknown /f ransjordan coast. Truly may it be said that a new world has been discovered, a paradox, something entirely new yet thousands of years old. ".From tho Dead Sea came forth life."