St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-09-04
THE PUREST AIR IN THE
STATE, AS PROVED BY
ACTUAL TESTS.

q. Stathem, Observer. Of New Or
leans, to Hon. Alex. Band, the OBJ
server at Vaudeville, shows that
there is more ozone in the atmos-
phere in this parish than in any
other part of the State where OBJ
servations have been taken. These
observations are made under the
auspices of the State Board OF
Health. There are five stations in
New Orleans, and one at each OF
the following places: New Iberia.
Shreveport, Vaudeville. Rigolets
Quarantine. and Ship Island Quar-
antiue Station. Mr.. Band has been
making ozone tests at Vaudeville
for the past two years. both night
and day, with the most favorable
results, as will be seen by the fol-
lowing letter:
New ORLEANS. Aug. 25, 1886.
Hon. Alex. Band. Vaudeville. La:
Dear Sir-In replying to Your
letter of the 18th inst, l am graft
fed to state that in regard to the
tests for ozone maintained through
out the State of Louisiana, the
record for the town of Vaudeville.
furnishes higher aggregate values
than any other inhabited locality
within the State.
Our work thus far has demon
strated that the quantity of ozone
at any locality, comparatively
speaking, rs indicated by the test
employed. is greater rs there is less
of oxydizable matter present. which
seems to indicate that the ozone OF
the atmosphere is employed in de-
stroying, or rendering innocuous,
these harmful substances, being it.
self destroyed in the process of oxy-
dation. This conclusion, it is be-
lieved, is in accord with expert
mental results, and with generally
accepted theory in respect to thi.
substance.
In the city of New Orleans, the
monthly averages are always higher
rs the locality of observation is fur
ther removed from the closely built
aud thickly Inhabited part Of the
city; but there are times, during
the prevalence of storm winds,
highly charged with ozone, when
tie quantity is more than sufficient
for purposes Of oxy,lation. At sucl,
times the tests at all stations. how
ever urban in locality ami condi-
tons OF exposure. give nearly ideu-
teal results.
The beneficial effect upon the
general health Of the inhabitants ol
cities, from these high storm winds.
is universally recognized, and the
cause cun be readily understood
when it is known that the ozone
with which they are charged exer-
cises such decided influence upon
the oxydizable putrescent matters
which are present to such an alarm
ing extent, during the summon
months espe ciaIly, in the utmos-
phere Of cities.
The relations of ozone to health
are as yet undetermined; but, rea-
soning by analogy, and by the re-
suits Of experimental investigation.
this substance is generally consul
cred rs being purifying agent.
employed by nature in maintaining
in the atmosphere the standard CT
purity requisite for the purposes OF
animal lite. That there is some i'll
terdeneE,lence between its f,inc-
tons and the process of interchange
Of oxygen aud carbon between ami
NAL plant life, is highly probable.
but such relations are not at pres
ent understood.
There is every reason to sup
pose, also. that ozone has direct
action upon the human system, in.
ferentialIy beneficial one, and the
popular idea has associated the in
vigorating atmosphere succeeding
thunder storms with the presence
of ozone; but while we are not war
raLted in arriving at definite con-
illusions in regard to this question.
it is believed that future investiga.
ton will tend to confirm this
theory.
From the foregoing explanation
the excess of ozone ut the town oil
Vaudeville is easily accounted for;
first, on account of its exemption,
to very great extent, from those
causes common to larger towns,
which are known to be exhaustive
of the supply ms furnished by the
atmosphere, and 10 its freedom
from malarious carnations normal
to low-lyin9 swamp lands; and
again, to the favorable topugraph-
ical situation-with Lake Point
chartain on its front, and the
health-giviug pine forest in the
rear. The salt sea-breezes furnish
ed by the Lake are conducive to
both health and comfort, aud the
pine forests are believed to be pro-
motive of general health, aud es-
pecially beneficial to some particu-
lar diseases.
These pine forests are believed,
by many. to be ozone-pro lucing,
and the substance tmpentine GER
tainly behaves differently to ozone
than any other. having the power
of storing mp, and again liberatiag
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