Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-11-28
vermontOaily Transcript
ST. ALBANS, VT.
c,,cRpAY, NOVEMBER 2S, 1868.
tInfiiation ana HaIHiir1 Of Buif"-
iuOs.

essential to the pnyslcai Wcii-ocihs vi
animals, including, of course, the human
animal-man. Deprive an animal oil
either of these and he dies. The AMI
nal system is like locomotive, mass
Of dead matter unless supplied with the
necessary amount of fuel and water
airand food. These are recognized prin-
ciples and need not be discussed here.
But the principles of ventilation, the
methods of supplying the animal sys-
tenn with its proper proportion OF AR,
when confined in buildings, are very
imperfectly understood, even among
those whose vocation it is to make pro-
vision for these things during the pro-
cess of erecting the buildings. Ventila-
ton and heat are inseperable. the mo-
mcnt particle of air becomes heated IL
expands, occupies more space, becomes
lighter, and rises but it does not COM
municate any part of its heat to sur
rounding particles of air but coming III
contact with some objec; having great
er affinity for heat than it has, IL parts
with it.
This peculiar property of the air rem
ders the warm ing and cooling OF build
ings, and the supply of pure air easy
and comparatively inexpensive. The
fact that one particle of air does not
communicate heat to another-that ar
is not a conductor of heat, is recognized
in the construction of hollow walls, by
which an amount of +" dead air. is held.
But it is not unfrequently the case that
these hollow walls are so constructed
that when fire is built on the inside,
and the inner wall becomes warm, or
the sun shines upon and warns the
outer wall the air inside the space in the
wall becomes heated and is Immediate
ly set in motion, defeating the OBJECT
sought in the construction OF the hollow
wall or vacant space. The remedy lor
this defect consists in closing the space
TOP and bottom with just as much care
as on the sides, or in filling the space
with some course substance, among the
particles of which the air cannot circu-
late with so much freedom as in the
open space for this purpose spent-tan,
saw-dust, turner's chips, &C., are used.
The proper construction of these walls,
although they are not properly part of
the ventilating apparatus, is an indis-
pensable prerequisite to its successful
operation.
We come now to the consideration OF
the subject proper ofour discussion-the
ventilation of closed rooms. The TACT
that heated air rises, and cold air PUSHES
in to fill the vacant space is the only
one usually taken into the account in
providing fora supply of fresh air. hence
we have in all or buildings, public and
private, the most erroneous and vicious
appliances for the purpose. Our Nor
NAL School building from which are to
come all our children's future instruc-
ton are not exceptions. a current OF
heated air is let in at the bottom while
n register at the top is designed to let
the foul air pass off, and just so much
is partially accomplished, if there is
sufficient supply of the heated air, but
to say that a proper temperature and
proper purity Of air by this process can
be secured is to state that which has
never been effected and never will be.
The exhalations of the occupants of the
room are heavier than pure air, and I'M
less there is very powerful upward
current, notwithstanding the theory OF
the defusion of gases the eXhaled air
surcharged with noXious impurities, re-
mains in the lower portion ofthe room
remote from the supply register exert
ing very deliterous effect.
Now the desired temperature and alb
solute purity of air. are both easily Sc
cured if we reverse the operation ano
admit the supply Of heated air at the
top of the room and connect the exhaust
pipe with the floor register, of course as
suming what is necessary in any event
that the exhaust pipes is connected with
a flue or chimney having good draught
The air admitted in this event is pure
and being heated is light and lies il
uniform strata at the top of the room
but as the lower strata of air in the room
although cold, are warmer than the at
mosphere outside, current is establish
ed through the exhaust, and the coldes
air with the noxious eXhalations, passes
off from the bottom and the upper STRAIT;
of pure warm air press downwards ant
take its place. There is in this case M
heaping up of air in one corner of tn
loom as in the other and no offensiv,
current; but we have the purest, sweet
est, pleasantest. possible atmosphere i,
every part of the room.
We frequently hear it said that the
IL, cd ,nln IL h1,r.