Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1871-02-25
For the Telegraph.
Ventilation Again.

Whenever one enters a close apartment in
which several individuals haze remained for
length of time, he at once pcrceves that the
atmosphere is heavy and unpleasant, and con-
tains disagreeable and almost nauseous odors
He will often find this condition of things on
entering passenger Car in the carly morning,
after the occupants have sat with closed doors
all night. Sometimes it is so in school-rooms,
churches and always so in close sleeping
rooms.
Let him test this air for Carbonic Acid, and
he will doubtless find in abundance, but that
will not account for the nauseous oder and
lis almost sitting qualities. Carbonic Acid is
inodorous
IT. however such air is passed through So
Luton of per manganate Of potash, it will
soon lose its bright pink color, showing GER
tain organic substances entirely different from
the known gases.
These organic matters are thrown off by
way of the lungs, and the surface, and are the
result of changes and decomposition in the
tissues which form the body. They require to
be thrown off from the blood and carried out
OF the system, as they soon produce poisonous
effects. If for instance, the insensible perspi-
ration from the surface is distracted, the indi-
vidual soon dies. The experiment has been
tried, of coating the surface of criminal en-
tirey over with varnish, and it destroyed life
in a very few hours.
II these organic matters are taken into the
system again by inhalation, they will produce
poisonous effects TO greater or less extent.
Tn tha oil
Hole of Calcutta, these poisonous materials
became SO concentrated that all of the 146
persons died. except the few who could crowd
around the two small windows. One of the
survivors of that terrible incarceration, de-
scribes the animal odros rs most abOminablr,
and the symptoms of the unfortunate victims
as those of intense animal poisoning and, not
like those of Carbonic Acid. He says-"My
poor friend Mr. Edward Eyre, camo stagger-
ing over the dead TO me, and with his usual
coolness and good-nature asked me how |
did; bur fell and expired, before had time
to make reply"
Poisoning from Carbonic Acid produces
drowsinessand gradual insenslbiity; but here
the symptoms were entirely different, The
heavy, nauseous odor of an apartment which
has contained people for any length of time,
indicates the presence of these organic mat
tiers, and they pertain TO ANIMALS as well as
men; the oder varying according to the differ
ent kind of animals or the race of men.
The great danger from these animal exha-
lations in general, is the gradual contamina-
tion OF the blood, aud greater tendency in
the system TO deyelope disease of all kinds
especially consumption, sorofMla, diptheria,
fevers and other diseases of debility
The immediate effects are headache, languor,
lndisposition 10 mental or physical exerton,
wandering pains, &c.
To these animal exhalations, more than to
any other cause the injurious results of over
crowding are to be ascrbed They are said to
be lighter than common sir, and hence are
found in larger proportion at the upper part
OF the room, although they are found at all
parts, ard pretty evenly distributed when the
air OF room is kept in motion.
typographical error p my last communication
spoiled all my temperance principles In speaking Of
the centennarian, intended TO have said-s drinking
habits We're by no means his best ones. L.