Daily Kennebec journal., 1873-09-10
Misfella,teons.
THE SANITARY INFLUENCE OF sun
LIGHT.

The Importance OF sunlight as a curative
agent is not sufficiently appreciated. Sir
James Wylie. late physician to the En-
peror OF Russia. made careful study Of
the effect OF light as a curative agent in
the Hospital of st. Petersburg. He dis
covered that the number of patients who
were cured in rooms properly lighted was
tour times as great as it was when they
| were confined in dark rooms. This led to
a complete reform in lighting the hospi-
tails of Russia and was attended with the
most beneficial results. In cities visited
by the cholera, it has been found that the
greatest mortality has taken place in mar
row streets, and on the sides of those hav-
ing northern exposure where the rays
of the sun are excluded. The inhabitant
of the southern slopes of mountains are
better developed and more healthy than
those who live on the northern sides. The
inhabitants of secluded valleys are often
subject to peculiar diseases and personal
deiormities, partly caused probably by the
want of direct sunlight.
SO far has faith in the efficacy of sum
light been carried, that its advocates have
proposed to build sanitariums of glass on
the upper stories of houses, where patients
divested of clothing can take daily sun
baths. One reason given for the decrease
of population in the Sandwich Islands, is
the adoption of civilized habits, and the
unheathful restraint of clothing upon
limbs accustomed to light and air. Great
improvement can be made in ordinary
practice without carrying the remedy to
extremes. The most sunny and light
part of the house should be occupied by
the household, instead of being kept for
occasional guests. Persons should sit at
the window where the sunshine comes di-
rectly upon them, and all the sunshine
and air possible should be admitted with
in doors.
Instead of this, heavy draperies, shades,
shutters and blinds shut out the life-giving
influence; reception-rooms even in these
enlightened days, are oftentimes kept 50
dark that you cannot see where you stand;
and as you enter them from the warm
sunlight, the close, damp air sends chill
through your whole frame, which has
doubtless by sudden check of perspira-
ton been the cause Of much illness, and
the loss of many valuable lives.
This is especially the case at this season
of the year. The mornings and evenings
are chilly, and the doors and windows.
after the morning airing, are kept tightly
closed to keep out flies and mosquitoes,
while the dwellers sit wrapped in shawls
in their gaudy and stately prisons. A little
pains-taking will obviate these troubles.
Almost all houses, imperatiyely those
shaded by trees. need a little fire at morning
and evening. 1t will make trouble and
dust, but that must not be thought Of.
Then let the draperies be taken down.
and open blinds and windows to let in the
| tl,a xr,sn nIox~
with screens of lace OF wire, to keep out
the troublesome pests that are the bane OF
the careful house-keeper, and let in the
pets fade and the upholstery grow dim.
Nothing should be too costly for careful
use, and of what consequence is furniture
when health and life are weighed in the
other scale?
We know of deluded individuals who
sit through the summer days in darkened
lose entirely their green color. We know
like being in cellar, when you cross the
Threshold. We know also, Of sunny
homes, where sunlight and fresh air play
through the spacious halls, where the
windows are thrown open to all healthful
influences, and where on chilly mornings
and evenings provision is made for that
blessed influence, an open fire, cheerful.
mirth-provoking and healthful like sun
light and pure air. s.
1t is said that. during one days health
full existence, sixty hogsheads Of pure air
shonld enter the human lungs. 1t would
be an interesting problem to find out what
proportion of the inhabitants of this city
obtain the quota of pure oxygen necessa-
ry for keeping the lungs in the most
healthy condition. asia S s,a