Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1867-11-21
LIGHT ANp VENTILATION.

LIGHT AND VENTILATION.
Next to proper food and clothing,
nothing is of more Importance to the
general health of the human race than
plenty Of light, and m unlimited supply
of the pure air God has given US to
breathe. Plants ordained by nature to
grow in the open air, cannot thrive well
in a dark cellar. Men who, in the pur-
suit Of their regular avocations, are
continually confined in dark, improperly
ventilated rooms, or other places Of a
similar nature, are never so well devel-
oped in their physical or mental organi-
cation as those living and exercising in
the midst of pure air and the broad
light of day. Dwellers, especially in
cities and towns, should see to it that
their houses are well supplied with light
and air, and properly ventilated sleep
ing rooms.
Hardest and hsalthiest among men,
was the California gold miner in the
early days of placer mining. Toiling
among the ravines and gulches, with
his shovel, pick, pan or rocker, the
bright sunlight and pure mountain air
were freely his, together with an appe-
tite contenting him with the coarsest,
simplest food-an appetite which the
most pampered epicure envies in vain.
He needed no house. The winter rains
descending in wrathful torrents upon
his little tent roof, only spattered fine
cooling mists upon his tranquil face as
he slept, and even though it awakened
him, he only listened for a few minutes
to the joyous peltings of the bountiful
rain, and rolled over and went to sleep
again, happy in the knowledge that
there would be plenty Of water to work
with tomorrow; perhaps he might even
be able to "ground sluice."
During the clear, bright summer
months he did not even crave the shell
ter Of n tent. His castle home was the
shade of some priucely tree or q few
leafy boughs rudely thrown together so
as to form a shelter from the hot sun
during his MONDAY meal and siestG,
and at night, with blankets spread upon
the ground, he rested his weary frame,
sleeping peacefully, TRANQUILITY; fully
conscious Of the natural fact that the
fresh, cool breezes playing about his
head, the air he so freely breathed was
the same with that all around him be-
reath the blue heavens; the best and
purest God could send him. If these
conditions are so beneficial to those in
health, how precious should they be
considered to those that are sick; yet
how often are both light and air care
fully excluded from the sick room, and
by "the DOCTORS ORDERS" too?
Oh! physician, heal thyself' from
all such diseased ideas, those barbarous
notions of the obscure past. There may
be cases where the light Of day should
be tempered to sick eyes, but never
where, night or day, the purest air float
ing beneath the heavens should not be
freely admitted. Be merciful to the
poor patient lying helpless under your
care. Give him the cool water and
easily digested food and n~ourishment
he so earnestly Graves, less of your
internal drugs and nostrums, and above
all, an unlimited supply Of Gods pure
air, such as you yourself so freely enjoy,
instead Of the noxious vapors exhaled
from his own diseased person, which. in
your bigoted, culpable ignorance, you
mercilessly and m~urderously compel him
to breathe over and over again. Do all
this and your reward shall be increased
success in your profession, fewer ghosts
to point their accusing fingers at you,
less curses from surviving friends, and
the blessings Of an approving con-
science. We would like to go on and
carry this idea of light and ventilation
through q few of the long-established
humbugs, absurd dogmas and wilfully
blind and obscured theoretical ideas Of
the present day, but not here. True
light will make itself apparent in the
forward march Of time. The future is
bright before US, and the world rolls on.