The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-05-06
GrOund-Air i'm Houses.

A novel theory in relation to ground-air
has lately been preached by Dr.. Pettenko-
fer, professor of hygiene at the University
of Munich, in Dresden. The theory alluded
to is mainly intended for medical men !; but
il is of value for the consideration OF people
who build houses.
This theory is, in BRIEF that there is a
greater or less quantity of air confined in all
soils, and that this air can be moved from
one point to another under certain condl-
tons. This ground-air is exceptionally rich
in carbonic acid, and becomes, therefore,
dangerous element if introduced into inhao-
tied dwellings.
It is asserted by the Munich professor
and tue assertion is strengthened by expert
mental tcsts-that an inhabited dwelling, be-
ing warmer than the surrounding earth, be-
comes q chimney, which draws this ground
air from the soil into the dwelling. Cases
are cited in which houses have been filled
with the odor of gas, and which had no gas
laid on and hence it must have been drawn
through the soil from a leaky main IN the
street. In one instance the gas travelled
twenty feet through the soil, foundations,
and cellar vaults, entered house, and killed
several of the inmates.
This discovery of DR.. Pettenkofer is one
Of high value. not only to physicians, but to
those designing to construct houses. If true,
as it undoubtedly is, it will serve TO explain
| many phases Of sickness, of typhoid char
! acter, and for which no explanation has hith-
erto been found. 1t is something Of great
interest to Chicago, whose light, porous sur
| face soil is peculiarly well adapted for the
| circulation of ground-air, and its " suction
into the heated rooms of dwellings. By this
movement of subterranean currents, not
only is carbonic acid drawn into the build
| ing, but also organic substances, which are
more fatal to lite and health than even the
carbonic acid itself, it having been demon
strated that an increase of the latter is always
accompanied by an increase OF the quantity
of the former.
| The practical lessons to be derived from
| this discovery of the existence of currents OF
ground.air are to be discovered by each per-
son for himself. They are, in general, that
the soil within certain distance of the
house should be kept free from cesspoois,
leaky drains, and other sources in which are
evolved deleterious substances. In the
cases of very many houses in Chicago
not connected with sewers defective
wooden drain leads to hogshead sunk
in the earth a short distance away.
Emenation of organic matter, such as
/
take place, which not only poison the at
mosphere but penetrate the ground and
are drawn into and up through the interior
Of the dwelling. The surrounding soil
should be thoroughly drained so as to secure
its publication. When this is scientifically
done, so as to carry off all the generators of
| deleterious substances, it is more than likely
that we shall have reached stage in which
cholers and typhoid fever will be nearly or
quite extirpated. Sanitary science has &C.
complished much in the direction of purify
ing the external air in cities; and it is proba-
BILE that the discovery of ground air, and its
movements, will enable us to supplement
the publication Of the external atmosphere
by the complete cleansing Of that within
dwellings, Chicago Times. r.
Easements and cellars will have to be dis
carded except for storage.]