Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-05-27
Health and Comfort in House Building.

Among our readers in country and vii
lage are many who propose building res
licences this season. The best advice
which can be given in many cases where
this is proposed is that competent arch
itect be employed and that his directions
be followed. Some things are so often
neglected by those building that few
suggestions may do good, even if they be
of the kind which suggests the remark,
Everybody knows that"
On many farms the location Of the res
idence is determined by the water sup
ply. Water is a good thing, but it is
coming to be understood that in the
wrong place it is a very bad thing. Dry
earth is healthful; it absorbs unpleasant
odors and bad gases Wet earth gives
out these things. Many diseases have
their cause in malarial vapors arising
from stagnant water. Hence the first
suggestion we make is that, if the spot
selected is not by nature so fixed as to
do this, it should be so graded that water
will not remain near the house, especial
ly not under it, The caves should be
troughed, and even very little banking
of earth against the foundations will do
much good. 1t is also especially impor-
tant that grading be done about the well
so that the surface water may run from
rather than to and into it.
Cellars should be we'll drained and we'll
ventilated, especially if they are to be
used for storing vegetables. 1t is beyond
doubt that sickness is frequently caused
by the dampness and bad odors arising
from cellars. This is so true that there
is much force in the suggestion that the
cellar should be made outside OF the
house, at least not under the parts usual
ly occupied.
Ordinarily the house that is warmest
in winter is coolest and most comforta-
bic in summer. Where little money can
be spent some things which would add
20 comfort cannot he afforded, but often
a saving in the first cost is poor econo-
my, as the increased expenditure IN the
course of years may far exceed the cost
of the things omitted. In wooden houses
it is important that special care be
taken to prevent ingress of the extreme
cold or heat. The use of building paper
is great help at small cost. 1t will
pay We'll to use it not only on the sides
but under the floors and roofs of houses.
Windows and doors should be made to
fit closely and the wide opening under
the dashboard so often found should be
avoided if possible.
Ventilation is very generally neglect
ed. Many intelligent people seem to
believe that the purity of the air is de
termined by its temperature; that colo
air is Decessarily pure. Almost every
body somits that fresh air" Is desirable
r. not weather or in a too warm room,
but very bad air is tolerated, perhaps
unhotiCed, if it be only cool. Ventilation
is secured in room with many cracks
and loosely-fitted doors and windows,
but in an expensive and undesirable
way. Currents of cold air flowing ON
the floor are very bad for the health and
often cause unnoJiced suffering on the
paEt OF small children. In an ordinary
house, living on the floor in winter by
grown person soon shows how upCO :
Portable it is, yet the children creep and
lie there unnoticed. So direct drafts are
10 be avoided. Il is better to have the
room 50 it can be made nearly air-tiSht
and admit air and allow il to escape by
openings controlled at pleasure.
In every case where il is practicable, q
room should have windows on two sides.
otherwise perfect ventilation is very
difficult unless special apparatus is sup
piled. The windows should extend to
within 4 foot OF the ceiling, which should
never be less than eight feet from the
door, and better ten, and should ALWAYS
let down from the Top as well as raise
from the bottom.
One of the simplest and cheapest con-
trivances for ventilation in winter OF
which we know is 10 introduce fresh
air through tin or wooden pipe under
the floor. coming up at the stove, and ex-
tending up beside il ami the stove-pipe
10 the height Of. say. six feet The air is
warmed as it passes up, and the tendency