Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-09-30
House Ventilation.

The Westminster Reuie,c contains val
liable paper upon "HouseV ntilation,"
which is abridged in the Popular Science
M0nHly, and we may still further abridge
it in the Tlibune for the benefit of its
readers, since there is no subject of more
practical value and perhaps none concern
ing which there is such lamentabe igno-
rance. A well-ventilated house is one of
the chief conditions of the health of every
family, and too much cannot be said,
therefore, TO impress its importance upon
the community, more particularly upon
the lowest classes, who are peculiarly the
victims of disease. Pure air is as essential
To health as pure water or wholesome
food, and impure air just as dangerous as
impure water or food-perhaps more so,
as it is more insidious and less easily
recognized poison. Its effects are slower,
but just as sure, and end in breaking
down health and vitiating the physical
constitution past all remedy. And yet,
notwithstanding the certainty OF its re-
suits, there is a very general indifference
to pure air, one cause of which the writer
of the article attributes to the omnipresence
and continuity of its use. II the supply
were small and it could only be obtained
by the outlay of money, then people might
study lis value more closely and apply it
with more judgment in the operation of
hygienic laws.
The application of these general remarks
is found in the fact that nearly all modern
houses, especially those for the middle and
lower classes, are constructed without any
knowledge of or reference to ventilation,
and not only houses but churches, theaters,
opera-houses and large public halls, and
tins, too, Notwithstanding the fact that the
theory OF ventilation is IA very simple one.
Ventilation says the writer, " is change
of air." and perfect ventilation means
the realization, in IA great measure, OF the
condition of air out of doors" Upon the
general basis he lays down two specific
rules as necessary to perfect ventilation.
The first is the entire removal of the
whole stratum of air tainted in room by
each respiration, and this removal must
be effected no less than twenty times per
minute. The second rule preScribes that
the large volume of fresh air which is
necessary for perfect health must be tenn
pered or warmed. No raw, damp, or
frosty air should have ingress to house,
as such air is only wholesome when per
son is out of doors and wrapped properly.
The general condition of the air in a
house is very wildly described by this
writer:
1--WE admitraw air, and we warm Utmost
at the critical moment when we send IL up
the chimney. We freeze our backs and
scorch our faces. We SIT with our feet in
a current of cold air, and our heads are
kept in an impure atmosphere, Initiated 10y
human lungs, the products OF gas-con-
sumption, and loaded with animal matter
We have a torrid zone bordered by the
hearth-rug, and the Arctic regions in the
neighborhood of the windows and doors.
Medical men shiycr at the abstract idea Of
violent changes of temperature, but they
raise no warning voice against delicate
patients being subjected to variation of
sixty degrees in modern drawing :"
Upon the stereotyped notion that night
air is unhealthy he quotes that excellent
authority, Florence Nightingale, as fol-
lows:
Another extraordinary fallscy is the
dread of night air What air can we
breathe at night but night airs The choice
is between pure night air from without
and foul night air from within, Most
people prefer the latter An unaccount
able choice. What will they say if il is
proyed 10 be true that fully ont-half of
All the disease we suffer from is occasioned
by people sleeping with their windows
shut? An open window most nights in
the year can never hurt anyone. This is
not TO say that light is not necessary for
recovery In great cities night air is often
the pureSt and best air 10 be had IN the
twenty four hours. could better under
stand in towns shutting the windows dur