Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-04-12
SANITARY SCHOOL HOUSES.
New Conclusions of German Medical
Commission.

Commission.
American Architect
A Medical Commission, which was an
pointed not long ago in Germany to study
certain questions relating to the construction
of school buildings, has made an interesting
report which certainly must be regarded as
marking step in advance in that branch of
science In the matter of ventilation we
find that the members OF the Commission
agree with all the other experts who have
investigated the subject, in increasing the
quantity of fresh air, which is to be re-
garded as essential to health. 1t is but a
short time since thousand feet OF air per
hour for each pupil was regarded as an ex-
tremely liberal theoretical allowance for
healthy children, and in practice in this
country, at least room in which hundred
and fifty or two hundred feet per hour is
actually supplied to each person is regarded
as admirably ventilated Now, however.
those who have long submitted to being ac-
cused of foolish extravaganza in insisting
that this is an inadequate allowance, may
cite the authority of the German doctors,
who set 2 ,12O cubic feet per hour for each
pupil as the minimum quantity of fresh air
to be supplied. In the best arranged shafts
of metal, fitted with gas flames, stoves OF
other artificial means for promotion the
draught, the upward current will occasion
ally reach velocity of a thousand feet per
minute in cold weather, although the aver
age is rarely more than five hundred feet,
and generally much less so that room con-
tanning sixty pupils should have an outlet
shaft four square feet or more in sectional
area, to be even capable Of such ventilation
as is pronounced essential. In regard to
lighting, the new Commissioner totally denies
the famous theory OF unilateral illumina-
ton, following in this respect the French
authorities, who began to call it in question
a year or so ago. In the language Of the re-
port, it is practically impossible, even with
lofty and narrow rooms, to obtain sufficient
light by this method. In cases where open
ings can only be made in one wall, the
report requires that the width of the tiers
between the windows shall not exceed three
fourths that of the windows themselves,
and that the width of the room shall not be
more than five feet greater than the height
Of the windows, which would restrict it in
snch cases to about eighteen feet as a maxi
mum. Lighting from two sides being then
required under all ordinary circumstances,
it is advised that the windows should be in
the opposite walls, on the right and left of
where the pupils are seated. Light from the
rear is admissible, but not recommended,
and windows facing the pupils are prohib-
tied. Walls of neighboring buildings painted
white and rejecting the sunshine into the
school-room are very injurious, and the
owners should be persuaded or obliged to
paint them of dark color The inside face
OF the wall of the school room itself is to be
painted pale blue or blush white, and the
ceiling pure white. Articifcial light should
be used without hesitation on dark and
short days. 1t is more dangerous to work by
insufficient daylight than by gaslight. Ar
gand burners are preferable, as giving a
steadier light, and ground glass globes are
on account of the large proper
ton of light which they absorb.