Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-06-06
Rysisnic Value OF Sunshine.

A simple test Of the importance Of
sunlight to vegetable life, is shown in
the house plant grown at an ordinary
window. When placed quite near the
window all the leaves upon the plant
will turn completely round towards the
light. Turn the plant round In an OPP
posite position from which 1t has been
standing for week, and all the leaves
In few days will begin to change their
positions until they present their en-
tire leaf surface so rs to command the
full rays of the sun. OF course plants
grown in greenhouse where over
head light is provided in abundance do
not show this habit. Where a plant is
grown in the position first indicated, and
is removed back from the window, the
stalks Of the plant will be bent over and
extended out towards the light AS If
furnishing for its life giving rays.
Now what Ia true In relation to vege-
table life is equally true as applied to
animal life, including man. The animal
confined in dark rooms or stables never
thrive. Sunlight is absolutely essential
to health. Where the house Is too much
shaded by trees, the air entering the
rooms ia chilly and dead. dangerous to
the well, and unhealthful to invalids,
The breathing of such air induces un-
equal respiration, colds, rheumatism,
consumption and general debility.
In the last report of the State Board
of Health, DIR. Young quotes an eminent
German scientist in regard to
the hygienic significance of sunlight.
This writer refers to the work OF
large number OF investigators who
have clearly shown the healthful
influence of direct sunlight upon the
human and animal bodies. A marked
increase In the excretion Of carbonie acid
and absorption Of oxygen occurs as a
result Of the action OF sunlight, and this
IL due partly to the direct chemical action
OF the light upon the surface OF the body,
and partly to a salutary reflex action
from the retina. Upon the air. the light
does an important work in purifying it
from the organic matter present In it.
On some disease germs. sunlight seems
to have rapidly destructive action,
while upon others it does not, thus leav-
Ing open field for close study on the
vart Of the physician and microscopic.
Observation teaches that children es-
pecially suffer from lack Of natural
light. Even the children Of families in
easy circumstances whose houses are
otherwise healthful except that the direct
sunlight has little or no access to the
rooms, very frequently have but little
freshness Of color and a fiabby muscular
development, but when they are moved
to well lighted rooms with southerly
exposure they gradually improve.
The Secretary Of the Board, DR..
Young. says he so frequently observed
this in his former practice that he re.
CARDS it perfectly safe to say that at
least y causal relationship exists be-
tween the removal to better lighted
rooms and the Improvement in the APP
pearance of the children. One disease
Of childhood, scrofula, is particularly re-
lated to the lack Of sunshine. We can.
not err, therefore, in regarding sunshine
~ one Of the important factors for the
maintenance Of sound health and the
absence Of light as greatly facilitating
Influence. Good food, plentiful sup
ply Of air rich 10 oxygen, certain
amount Of iron, all these are not SUI
ficient for the building up Of healthy
blood capable Of withstanding the in.
Vulnerable harmful influences Of life
there Is needed also the action Of the
4 light upon the surface Of the body in
4 order that II may exert its influence up
on the blood. Therefore, thin out thu
trees about the dwelling house where
they prevent the direct rays of the sur
from entering freely the living rooms
throw open the blinds: push back the
draperies; let the Light enter the rooms
Be- out in the sun and good air Is much
q possible, and receive to it, fullest ex
tent the benefit Of the God-given sun
4 light,