The Columbian fountain., 1846-07-16

g must not be forgotten, remarks Hufe-
land, "tha we spend "A considerable portion
OF our lives in the bed chamber, and conse-
quenty that lis healthfulness cannot fail Of
having very important influence upon our
physical well being"
Every one, in fact who is actuated by a
due regard for health and real. comfort, will
consider an equal degree Of attention neces-
sary in regard TO The size, situation, tempera-
ture and cleanliness of the room he occupies
during the hours of repose, as OF his parlor
drawing room, or any other apartments, and
yet how often do we find families crowded at
night into obscure and confined chambers, Of
dimensions scarcely more ample than those ot
an old fashioned closet, while perhaps in most
instances, the best rooms in the house will be
set aside for the sole purpose Of ostentauous
display.
1t is important that the largest and most
lofty room upon the second floor. be appropri-
ated Tor the sleeping apartment, and that IL be
freely ventilated during the daytime, al all
seasons, when the weather is not rainy or 9th
erwlse very humid
There are lew houses, lhe rooms Of which
are so situated as 10 render The latter inprac
ticable, and the influence of the practice upon
the health OF inmates IS too important 10 per
NIT its being neglected from any slight cause.
A bed chamber should be divesttd of all un-
necessary furniture, and unless o considerable
size; should never contain more than one bed
There cannot be a more pernlcous custom
than that pursued in many families, OF cans
ing the children more especially, 10 sleep IN
small apartments, with two or three beds
crowded into The same room.
Ii is scarcely necessary TO observe, that clean
illness in the extensive Specification OF the
term, is, if possible, even more necessary in
reference to the bed chamber than almost any
other apartment.
The practice of sleeping in an apartment
which is occupied during The day, is extremely
improper. Perfect cleanliness and sufficient
ventilation cannot, under such circumstances,
be preserved, especially during cold weather !;
hence the atmosphere becomes constantly more
vtiated and altogether unfit Tor respiration.
While too great a degree OF caution cannot
be observed TO avoid sleeping in damp rooms,
beds or clothing, the temperature OF the bed
chamber should, if possible, never be aug
mened, under the ordinary circumstances OF
health, by artificial means. AS this apart
ment is to be reserved solely for repose, fire
is never necessary, excepting, perhaps, dur
ing uncommonly severe weather; and even
then, the temperature ought not TO exceed fifty
degrees.
A sleeping apartment, TO which large hire
had been kept for several hours previous 10
the period of retiring to rest, may, 10 many,
al the first view, present an appearance of the.
most perfect comfort--it is, however. at the
same time a means of very effectually ener-
waiting the system-cr an increased sus-
ceptibiIity to the influence OF the cold, and
thus opening the way TO the attack OF some of
the most serious diseases, especially OF the
chest Happy may they esteem themselves
whose means forbid an indulgence in this
species Of luxury.
A person accustomed TO undress IN room
without a fire and seek repose IN cold bed,
will not experience the least Inconvenience,
even in the severest weather The natural
heat of his body will very speedily render him
even more comfortably warm than the indi
vidual who sleeps in heated apartment, and
in bed thus artifcally warmed, and who
will be extremely liable IA sensation OF chill
ness as soon as the artificial heat is disspated.
But this is not all, the constitution of the for
mer will be rendered more robust, and far less
susceptible to the influence OF atmospheric vis-
.is,udes than that Of The latter.