National Republican., 1876-04-07
PURE AIR AT TIE CAPITOL.
Board of Health on the House veatilsti,

BoarQ OF health on the house Ventilation.
The president of the Board of Health, (Dr. q.
Z. Cox,) by previous understanding, last Wed.
nesday visited the sub Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds OF the House of Repre-
sentatives, who have the matter of the veutila-
tion Of the House under consideration, and sub.
mitted an extensive report on that subject that
had been prepared BY a special committee of the
Board Of Health. 1t was accompanied with dia.
gram and maps illustrating the positions as ex-
amined. The board find that by working tho
present supply fan wheel to a safe maximum ca.
pacity, much 80 900 cubic feet of air per min
ute can be brought into the hall, which, moder-
ately filled, will seat on floors and galleries 900
for halls where protrscted sessions are held there
ought to be 1000 cubic feet at command per min.
ute. Many OF the extraordinary complaints Of
late are mainly those experienced before or dur
iag bofsterous weather in the winter months, and
this can be much remedied by Gaping IN q GER
tain way the now open and unprotected tops of
ously impeded when a heavy wind blows from
certain directions.
THE SEWER FROM THE CAPITOL
formerly discharged in the old city canal, bu. a
connection was made last fall with the great
Tfber main sewer, which drains 5000 acres or fully
one one half Of the area occupied by Washington city.
lstiDg duct frem this main sewer, running for
nearly mile on fat ground. 1t ought 70 be
built outside the trapped part, SO as to guard
against forcing Of the proposed water.trap. The
kitchens Of the restaurateur ought to be con-
Dected by trunk with the foul air shaft, which
is near by, and tins by suction the whole cellar
will be Indirectly ventilated, while now the re
verse is the case. The lately neglected hydration
oi the warmed air ought to be reinstated. Anun-
trapped sewer pipe was found right at the inlet
Of the hot air duct to the wall of the House.
through which, no doubt, sewer gases were carried
In with the air current. The water closets on tue
ground floor ought to be attended to. The steam
pipes, during eighteen years of use, have come to
be out Of repair, are
INEFFICIENT AND NETD ovERHAULING.
1t is believed that thorough change in the
arrangement Of heating and ventilation can easily
be made at moderate expense, and ought not to
be left undone. The warm air is now forced In
from and near the floor, and this vitiated air is
drawn of by the exhaust fans through numerous
apertures In the ceiling. The proposition is that
hereafter the fresh air be forced IN from the cell
Ing, where the warm air, in consequence of iss
smaller density, Will be rapidly difused over the
whole surface Of the ceiling, cool of In contact
with ceilings and side walls will slowly be pressed
downward, followed by succeeding layers of hot
air until 1t comes In the region Of the foul air or
ventflstlng registers, through which It will be
removed from the well with the proper velocity
by the action Of the exhaust fans The operation
OF this sy stem s explained in great detail and
references are made to successful arrangements
on same principles on q large scale. The Eouses
of Parliament in London had TO be altered ex-
actly in the same way after protracted discus
sions.