Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-07-10

DuJ, 5ald Augusta, " now Coulu Lney
breathe !'
"That, my child, was secret they kept to
themselves. The doctors could never find out
With your knowledge Of Physiology, you may
well suppose the process of respiration was but
imperfectly carried on; and, indeed, their pale
faces and slender forms plainly showed that it
must be SO. The subject was a sort of forbid
den ground to speak or write upon. Few ply
slcians had the courage to tell their consump-
tive patients the cause of the disease that was
preying upon their vitals. Many Of the gay and
beautiful found premature grave, no doubt,
from that cause alono--that Of dressing too
tightly"
"But some die Of consumption nowadays,
grandpa. Did not Clarssa Fremont, whose fu-
neral we attended last week, die of consump-
ton ?"
"Elo doubt there are other causes of the dis
ease; and perhaps somewhat of the effects of
their habits may descend to their posterity to
this day; but the number of deaths from that
disease is not one tenth so many as in those
times. The'reason is to be found, no doubt, in
the fact, that every young person is educated in
the science of Physiology and the laws of life
and health. The habits and practices conse-
quent upon such. an education tend to promote
instead of injuring the general health. Then, il
was thought sufficient if the doctor undersood
anatomy and physiology now, every schoolboy
of dozen years understands them. The prac
tice of singing, too, as it is now everywhere
taught in our common schools, has probably as.
sisted to produce healthy state of the lungs
"What did the women wear upon their heads
grandpa" ?" said Laura.
"They wore what was called bonnet; and
that, too, fitted closely to the head, and covered
it all but the face, and was not much calculated
to promote the health and comfort, or add to the
beauty of the wearer. The hair was not cut
close then, as now, but was worn very long, ant
was braided and fastened upon the top of the
head with an instrument called comb. At the
sides Of the head it was brought down so as tc
cover the ears very closely"
"How very odd," said Augusta. But o
what use could it be? Our ears were given us
to hear with, were they not ?"
"That was not the only thing that would
seem odd to you in manners, as well as dress
You would think the custom an odd one indie ed
which would confine the women to the house
and not allow them the freedom of outdoor ex.
ercse they now enjoy; and that would deprive
them of appearing with the men at political and
other meetings"
"Certainly, grandpa" said Augusta " would
it not seem very unsocial and heathensh for the
women to go by themselves, and the men by
themselves ?"
More than that; if you could but contrast
the decency and propriety that characterize our
public meetings with the coarseness and rowdy-
ism attending those of my early days, you would
think it not the least of the Improvements of your
time. Nevertheless, it was the fashion of the
times; and if any one was found with the hard
hood to advocate custom which is now so uni
versal, he would have had to encounter argu
ment, ridcule and sarcasm. And not the leas
bitter opposers of what was then called women'
rights, were the women themselves-they VIII,
were the most directly to be benefited by th
proposed change"
"Well, grandpa" said George, "were tn
methods of lighting and warming houses a
queer as the ladies' dresses"
elf you have found anything queer in what
have related, dare say your organ of mirth wi
find sufficient exercise when you contrast tn
present simple means with the ancient cumbrou
and laborious modes. When house was TO b
built, the first thing to be done was, to lay so
id foundation of stone or bricks-generally
the middle of the house; and upon this wa
built what was called chimney of bricks. o
the different sides were freplaces for the diffe
ent rooms, into which wood or coal was place
and set on fire. Besides the firepaces, over
were formed in the bottom of the chimney
which were large, hollow spaces used for cool
ing"
C. But, grandpa, where did the wood con
from ?" said George.
"Large tracts of woodland were kept on pu
pose to be cut when wanted, and used for fue
Since the lands have been cleared of the ire,
to be burnt into charcoal for manure, and
make pastures for focks, and fields for grain
How hard they must have worked, TO cut
much wood every year," said George.
eyes, can assure you it took muchtime al
labor to support the fires, even in one house;
say nothing Of the expense of the operatives, al
and the filth attending such method"
"Were the houses warm as now?" ask,
George.
"That depended upon circumstances.
stead of the equable heat which electricity diff
ses, the temperature was sometimes very hig
and then again very low; which, added to t
dust OF the wood and ashes, produced an Il
f wholesome state of the air. 1t was a very G
: pensive mode, especially in cities, where t
d wood had TO be brought from great distanc
j. so much SO, that il was almost more than n DC
h widow could do to keep fire going through t
cold winter Now, for three cents, she can Ike
d a room at summer temperature for many week
"Dld they light their houses with eectrici
D as we now dol" inquired George.
IS Light was produced by burning the grel
l. of animals, which was not only filthy but exp,
le sive and unwholsome. The SCOT proceed
ct from the combustion of oils arose into the roo:
re when it soiled and defaced books and furnitu
in and at the same time, the carbonic acid, by m
ing with the air of the room had deleter
u effect upon the health Now, you endure
such inconvenience ard discomfort. By sim
u winding up small machine, an agreeable Ii
ke is produced, which you may almost vie with