The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-11-09
Cellar Ventilation.

Inc lntelHgent have now more than
the former regard for the ventilation Of
the sitling-room, the sleeping room, and
even of the kitchen, with some reference
to corresponding supply of the glorious
sunlight. 1t may be, however, that the
cellar is more generally neglected, sim
ply from the fact that not much time is
spent in 1t, and yet there are other con.
siderations demanding special attention.
1t is well known by some, and should he
by all, that carbonic acid gas and nox-
ious gases in general, are heavier than
the air, of necessity falling to the lower
parts of the house, and then into the
cellar. The carbonic gas expired from
the lungs, the exhalations from the BODY
in the form of gas, and all gases, how
ever produced, are sources of disease
and poisoning; all of which, if the cir
cumstances are favorable, will find their
way to the cellar. Let it be remembered
that each expiration from the lungs is
composed of 4.35 per cent. of this gas,
While 900 per cent. is regarded as de-
cidedly dangerous to the lungs, resulting
in disease, and that man produces 10. I
cubic feet of it in twenty-four hours, of
course destroying the same amount of
oxygen.
These noxious gases are very diffusive,
penetrating every nook of the house,
especially the lower parts. 1t is also
true that they are absorbed, especially
the carbonic gas, by liquids and vegeta-
ton, the woody parts being obtained
from this source, at least partially. It
follows that milk and liquids in general
are line absorbents of these impurities,
flowing, like water, down into the Gel
lar, of course to be consumed by the
family. This remark applies to all
foods, in some degree: fluid, semi-fuid,
AS soups and the like, and to most solids.
as bread, buildings. etc., having a de-
gree or moisture. And if it is true that
the poison of paint is absorbed by water,
it is as true that milk and other fluids
and semi-fiuids, if near paint, will be-
come more or less poisonous, And if
true that water absorbs poisons. etc., it
is OF the utmost Importance that no
water should be used for drinking or for
cooking that has been long in the Sleep
ing room. the sick-room or in the vicin-
ity of impurity. Medicines should not
be uncovered-better in corked bottles
unless they are so poison as not to be
affected by ordinary noxious articles.
During the winter and particularly in
the spring, when the vegetables com
menee to decay or to sproatt, it is very
needtul to ventilate the cellar and keep
it sweet. This may be done by win
dow or two, hung at the top on hinges.
the lower part often being raised, so
that the foul air may pass out, especially
when the cellar door and an adjoining
outer door are open for a few minutes in
warm winter days, at the same time adj
hitting pure, fresh and cool air. 1t is
manifest that this pure, cool air will have
a beneficial effect, first in the renovation
of the air of the cellar, so soon contain
mated by the sleeping-rooms, ETC., and
secondly by the GOODNESS of the cellar.
so much more favorable to the purity of
meats and the like, and to the preserva-
ton of vegetables. These, it is well
known, if the weather is warm in win
ter, and if the cellar is kept too warm,
will commence to sprout even in the
winter, of course destroying quite per
cent. of the sweetness and nourishment.
1t may be safe to keep the south win
dow open for most of time, save in the
coolest weather.-Dr. Hannaford, in
Golden RalA