Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-11-06
For the Freeman.
A Chat with the Family.
No. 3.
BY AGRICOiA

Organic matter is common impurity
in the atmo> phere, and it is frequently
present in dangerous proportions. Ii
appears in the form of vapors and sus
pcnded moisture. 1t is ditfused abundant
Iy in confined air, and in the vicinity OF
lecaying organic substances. 1t has been
Estimated that from ten to two hundred
and forty grains of organic matter are
thrown off from the lungs and skin OF
every adult person per day. This show,
Row much felid matter will gather in un
ventilated bedrooms, and how important
it is that the laws of ventilation should b,
thoroughly understood, and carefully re-
garded in all the apartments where human
beings dwell, whether in health or sick
ness.
Suspended matter also exists in the at,
mosphere of some localities to danger
us extent. In factories and in towns,
,tarch cells, fbres of cotton and wool, par
licles of iron and stone dust, and many
other low forms of animal mater tloal
freely. Some trades yield TO the air sub
stances injurious to the health. Still more
dangerous are the neglected sewers and
cess.pools around our dwellings and in
our streets. The noXiOuS gases that EN-.
mate from these consist mainly of carbon
C acid. sulphureted hydrogen, light car
donated hydrogen. and suphide of ammo
MIA They arise from the decomposition
Of organic matter and at IL high temper
lure are rapidly concentrated in these
pools and sewers They are disease and
,lcath bearing gases wherever they are
| found in II separate state They are dan
gerous aids to spread epidemics.
Much of the diphtheria, diarrhGa, dys-
entcry. and typhoid fever which every
wear bring sorrow to many families III
every community, and the fearful plague
which has nearly Gepopulated some
cities ut the south, the present year, can
be traced directly to these and similar
causes.
With what scrupulou5 care, therefore,
should every family and every city guard
,gain,t these malignant influences by fire.
auent cleansing, and purifying by disin
rectants. Chloride Of lime, copperas and
coal ashes are very useful for this pur-
pose. The air is also imprcgnated with
hose noxious gases which arise from
marshes, irrigated meadows, drained
axes, canals and excavations Of railroads.
| If families would escape these pernicious
Influences they must remove from such To-
caliteS.
| AR confined in dark cellars soon be-
comes dank and unwholcsOme. Thus con
| lined il is too often loaded with deCompOs-
ing organic matter given off from the
masses of decayng vegetables which
nave been stored there. This foul air is
sure to find its way to the upper living
apartments, and will be very likely to
generate disease 1t is of the first i'm
porlance, therefore. that all cellars should
be often cloaused and purified. Occasional
whtewashing of the walls is also useful to
the same end The direct tendency OF
impure air is to produce disease. We can
easily trace its general effects upon the
ystem by the pallor of countenance, de-
PRAYED appetite. feeble digestion and gen
raj weakness of those who lEtbltually oc-
.upy badly ventilated rooms. While sui
rering the effects of such exposure. they
are much more likely to contract acute
disease. Those predisposed to chronic
difficulties should be especially careful to
breathe only pure air. Why should not
I'll enjoy this great blcssingP 1t Is the
free gift of Heaven. 1t is poured around
the earth with prodigaity. 1t presses
upon our apartments at the rate of fifteen
pounds to every square inch, as if to de-
nand admittance. 1t comes to exchange
Itself for the noxious comfort which we
breathe. 1t comes to give health. to re-
move disease and prolong life. Yet we
persist in shutting it out! We refuse to
understand, or at least to obey the laws OF
nature. Hence we must suffer the con-
| sequences,