Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-02-15
FACTS ABOUT FURNACES.
A Noted Sanitary Engineer on the Effects
of Furnace Heat on Health,

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In February, 1881. the committee Of
hygiene of the Medical Society OF
Kings County rendered a report. which
Is published In full in the proceedings
OF that society, upon catarrh and
whether that disease was aggravated
by residence in cities. The opinions
ola large number OF physicians OF long
experience were obtained and their
testimony showed "that though eli
matte and city Influences have much to
do with the creation OF catarrh, yet do
fectlve heating, lighting, airing, sun
ming and drainage OF houses. with i'm
proper views as to air. clothing, bath
ing and exercise are tho main causes. !"
Individual physicians laid special
stress upon Individual influences. as
"dry and irritating air from villainous
furnaces Increased furnace heat and
artificial methods OF living.
Furnace air per sc is not so unwhole-
some, but 1t Is the absence OF ventila-
ton which makes II so. II II furnace
OF sufficient size to warm n building
without opening every draft and heat
Ing the ilropot red hot, and II the fresh
air supply Is takel' from n proper
source and not from damp area OF un-
clean cellar; and. furthermore, II there
ARE sufficient openings at the top OF
the house TO allow tho impure air
which rises TO tina. point to escape and
thus cause constant circulation OF
sufficiently warms u but not overheated
air through the house; under these
conditions furnace is not objection
able.
Furnaces are often badly located.
II is easier TO force warm air through
furnace ilue fifty feet away from the
prevalent wind than ten feet in the
opposite direction. Hence. the furnace
should be placed nearest the Northern
side OF the building or two should be
provided. llot-air flues should not be
carried for any distance through cold
cellars, halls or Easements, as they
will become chilled and will not draw
without being cased with scme nom
conducting material, as mineral wool.
Don't set n furnace In pit, especially
In a wet soil where water will collect
after every rain storm. but stand II on
brick arches. so as 10 raise 1t above
the ground; also cement the pit. 1t Is
unfortunately very common TO find
such doprossions filed with water;
this causes rus,ing OF the furnace itself
and damp in. the cellar. In very many
houses occupied by persons OF means
the furnaces are no longer used, but
have been replaced by opcn fires. This
is costly comfort, but II is IA commend
able plan. rs II furnishes ample ven
tilation to the living rooms. IL is de-
sirable that one room should ut least
be thus supplied with cheerful and
sanitary fire.
Whore fresh-air inlets are carried
from the house drain to the front OF
house at the yard level they should not
be located near 10 tho cold-air supply,
as there is n chance that during heavy
states OF the atmosphere down draft
may be created and tho foul air sucked
into the air box and thence upward in
to the house. Registers should never
be placed at the floor level. as they will
collect dust and sweepings. which are
liable TO take fire.
Furnaces with heavy castings heat
slowly and arc less easily cracked or
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