The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-07-26
Light and Life.

The sanitary influence oflight can scarce
ly be oyer-estimated. 1t is essential to the
full development of nearly all animal and
vegetable organisms. Plants when de-
prived of the influence of light become
blarched and stunted in growth, the pro-
cess of fixing the carbon in their tissues is
arrested, a modification Of the coloring
principle takes place and they appear white
instead of green. This is termed etiola-
tion or blanching, and is applied by the
gardener and horticulturist in the case of
certain kinds Of vegetables to improve their
edible qualities.
A similar effect is produced upon ami
mails by excluding them from the operation
Of light. Vitality is impaired and the
development Of the healthy bodily struc-
ture arrested. Naturalists tell us that in
the course of healthy development the tad
pole becomes frog but in the absence of
light this transformation is prevented, and
the tadpole remains tadpole. From nu-
merous experiments, both upon animals
and vegetables, ii has been proven that
light is an important vital stimulant, favor
ing those complex changes in the organ
isms upon which healthy development de-
pends. And though growth may proceed
without it, there is both bodily and men,
tai deterioration; mental and moral etio-
lation, as well as physical, occurs when
the vital stimulus of light is Withdrawn.
The inestimable importance Of this agent
upon life and health may be conclusively
shown by comparing the robust forms and
ruddy, bright, and happy faces of those
who live among the green fields, and whose
occupations necessitate regular exposure to
sunlight, with the blanched, sallow coun-
tenances and emaciated, deformed bodies
Of those who dwell in dark and narrow
lanes and alleys, and whose vocations de-
prive them Of its health-giving and benef-
cial influence.
The sad effects Of deprivation Of sunlight
are principally observed among those who
are compelled to work in badly constructed
shops and factories and the inhabitants of
narrow streets, crowded alleys, confined
courts, garrets and cellars where the light
Of the sun rarely penetrates. Similar con
sequences are observed in those who labor
by night and sleep by day, as bakers and
compositors connected with the daily press,
whose occupation necessitates their en-
ployment during greater part of the
night.
The total exclusion Of the suns beams
induces an impoverished and disordered
state Of the blood, favoring not only an
arrest of physical and mental development,
but also the generation Of specific diseases.
Under these circumstances the countenance
becomes pallid, the membranes of the eye
and lips bloodless, and the skin of waxy
color. Associated with these symptoms
there Is emaciation, muscular debility, and
nervous excitability. The hbrin, albumen,
and red blood cells become diminished in
quantity, and the serum or watery portion
Of the blood increased, producing the dis
ease known to physicians as anemia. The
alteration Of the physical composition Of
the blood and the enfeeblement of vital
energy predisposes to the development Of
scrofula, chlorosis, rickets and consumption,
diseases characterized by imperfect nutri-
tion. Childhood being peculiarlya period
Of growth and development, il is especially
important that children should have the
fullest possible benefit Of exposure 70 direct
sunlight Many Of the diseases Of the
weak and emaciated children who are
reared in narrow streets and crowded ten
ement houses Of our large cities, are attri-
butable to the deficiency of light aud air.
The sad effects Of the absence Of light are
unfortunately not confined to those who,
by the pressure Of poverty, are compelled
to dwell in localities and habitatIons where
the solar rays yainly strive to enter In
many elegant mansions, whose occupants
can command every luxury within the
reach Of wealth, we see the most ingenious
means adopted for efIectually excluding
light, with the inevitable result Of serious,
y impairing the health Of the inmates
The nursery, where children necessarily
spend 80 large portion Of their time, mar
tienlarly during the colder seasons of 'the
year, should be plentifully supplied with
windows, and should be selected with spec