Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1889-02-16
FACTS ABOUT FURNACES.


n Noted Sanitary Engineer "a the Effects
of Furnace Heat Oh Health.
In February, 1881, the committee OF
hygiene Of the Medical Society OF
Kings County rendered 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
OF large number ofphysicians OF long
experience were obtained and their
testimony showed that though c.i-
matte and city influences have much to
do with the creation of catarrh, vet de-
fective heating, lighting, airing, sun
ming and drainage of houses, with inn
proper views us to air, clothing, bath
ing and exercise are the main causes.
Individual physicians laid special
stress upon individual influences, as
dry and irritating air from villainous
furnaces, v increased furnace heat and
artificial methods of living.
Furnace air per sc is not so unwhole-
some, but it is the absence of ventila-
ton which makes it so. II "a furnace
Of sufficient size TO warm building
without opening every draft and heat
ing the firepot red hot, and if the fresh
air supply il taken from n proper
source and not from damp area of un-
clean cellar; and, furthermore, If there
are sufficient openings at the top OF
the house to allow the impure air
which rises to that point to escape and
thus cause constant circulation of
sufficiently warmed but not overheated
air through the house; under these
conditions Il furnace is not objection
able.
Furnaces are often badly located.
II is easier to force warm air through
furnace fue fifty feet away from the
prevalent wind than ten feet in the
opposite direction. Hence. the fnrnace
should be placed nearest the Northern
side of the building or two should be
provided. Hot-air tiues 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 some nom
conducting material, as mineral wool.
Don't set furnace in pit, especially
in wet soil where water will collect
after every rain storm, but stand it on
brick arches, so as to raise it above
the ground; also cement the pit. 1t is
unfortunately very common to find
such depressions filed with water;
this causes rusting 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have been replaced by open fires This
is costly comfort, but it is commend
able plan, as it furnishes ample ven
tilation to the living rooms. 1t is de-
sirable that one room should at least
be thus supplied with a cheerful and
sanitary fire.
Where fresh-air inlets are carried
from the house drain to the front of q
house at the yard level they should not
be located near to the cold-air supply,
as there Is chance that during heavy
states of the atmosphere down draft
may be created and the 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 are less easily cracked or
warped and they cool more slowly, so
that the heat involved is more uni
form. Itis well to retain the air close
TO the firepot and thus keep it longer
in contact with the fire-heating sur
face.
Water pans are often badly arranged
so that they admit dust, and as they
are seldom cleaned that may become
offensive. They should always be sup,
piled by ball cock, so as to be auto.
matte, rather than by stop cock,
which has to be opened by servant
who may be neglectful.
Attempts have been made TO filter
the air before entering the furnace but
they usually fail. A screen of gall
vanized iron wire of one-sixteenth
mesh viii exclude most floating ma
terial from the air. The air supply is
sometimes taken from the attic, but it
is apt to be dusty and impure. Others
take it from vestibules OF halls or piaz-
zas, which are not bad places. Charles
Wingate, IN PhilalielDhia Press.
Her Majesty's Empire.