Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-11-09
THE HOUSEHOLD.


Robert Rawlinson, @. T., London, has Civ
on the following rules for securing healthy
houses in his "Lstters aud Papers on Sanitary
Questions"
The subsoi beneath the house should be
naturally dry or should be made dry by land
draining.
The ground floor should not be below the
level of the land, street or road outside.
A site excavated in tho side of hill or
steep bank is liable to be dangerous, as exter-
nal ventilation may be defective and the sub
soil water from above may soak toward and
beneath such houses Middens, ash pits and
cesspoos, il Mt the back, must also faint the
Easements.
The subsoil in every basement should have
a layer of concrete over it, and there should
be full ventilation.
Cesspools, cesspts sink holes or drains must
not be formed nor retained within house base.
ments.
The ground around dwelling houses should
be paved, tagged, nsphalted, covered with
concrete, or graveled
Outside channels should be in good order
and regularly cleaned.
House caves should be guttered and spout
ed.
Swill tubs should not be placed near doors
or windows.
lBAlltb huOulu hlWu1b DO hL DISTANCE, ana
where pigs are kept there should be rigid
cleanliness. Improperly keeping pigs has
caused more human sickness and destroyed
more lives than all the battles the country has
ever engaged in.
Many houses from the mansion to the cot.
tage, are uuwholesome for some of the follow.
ing reasons
Damp and unventilated easements.
Rotten timber in floors and skirtings and
tainted wall. paper.
Kitchen sinks in improper places and un.
ventilated.
Rooms without adequate means for vontila
ton.
Water closets in improper places and un-
ventilated
Water cisterns and pumps in improper plac-
es, supplying contaminated water.
Houses are unwholesome from accumulated
carelessness and personal neglect. As when
Rooms are not sufficiently cleaned
Carpets are left down and never swept
Windows are seldom opened
Water closets are neglected aud without
ventilation
Dirty beds are unmade and shrouded by
dirty hangngs.
Dirty wardrobes and clothes closets.
hooks, corners and shelves which are never
busted.
There are points Of construction to be at.
tended to which will mention, so as to put
them on record for the remembrance of those
who may at some future time build cottages
or small houses, or be in communication with
those who are building or intend to do 80.
Do not build on heaps of rubbish made up
of cesspool refuse or chemical waste or on
swampy ground which cannot be drained.
Thousands Of houses have been aud are now
being so placed in the suburbs Of our large
towns
A bed of concrete over the site of cottages
will vastly modify otherwise Objectionable To-
cations but, indeed, concrete should be used
in all cases.
To ventlate stairs and passages open the
staircase or passage window, or both, by
drawing down the sash several inches in sum
mer and one or more inches in winter, and in
some cases screw the sash fast, so that the
windows will remain open the year round; if
there is skylight above the staircase let
there be ventilation here which cannot be clos
ed The result will be improved health 10
the family. Pay no attention to any casual
remark, How cold your staircase il :" Let
the ladies put on an extra shawl. But the re.
mark will seldom be made.
Schools, as a rule, are very effectively ven
tilated. Ordinary fiat ceilinged rooUs are to-
tally unfit for public schools The space
should be open up to the roof ridge, and this
should be lowered
Nurseries and chdreu's rooms should be
permanently ventilated. Dormitories for chill
dren should have perfect ventilation clothe
the children warmly, cover tho beds warmly,
prevent direct draughts, and the cool air Will
not injure.
Avoid fine ventilation of every sort let the
fresh air come in as direct as possible Night
air is the only air you can have at night so
do not fear it, Dread foul because tainted
air manufactured within the rooms. Any out
side fresh air is better than lung and skin
tainted inside air.