The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-01-22

MOST ceIIars are merely IncuDntors tof
germs of various sorts. Even if the eel
lar is kept approximately clean, there
is the white and blue mold that are incl
dent to damp walls and underground
places of all sorts. When in addition to
this there are to be found ip almost all
corners decayng vegetables and animal
matter. the situation becomes one that
really demands the attention of the
health authorities. But oblivious of
this condition of things, the unthink-
ing householder gives free access to
the air from this hot-bed of disease into
the hot-air chamber of the heater.
While the temperature may suffice to
destroy some of the germs, it is not SUI
ficient to remove those that are the
most dangerous. On the contrary, the
high degree of heat develops, propa-
gates and raises them to life, and they
come into our living rooms strong as
an army with banners. They enter our
lungs, settle upon our food, mingle with
our beverages. and. finding Judgment
in the milk supply, they increase there
with the utmost rapidly, creating
condition within very short period
that makes the milk little more nor
less than rank poison. One of the first
requisites of a healthful atmosphere
in a dwelling is to provide a fresh-air
supply, taken from point several feet
at least above the ground level. 1t is
absurd to say that there will be no
draught in the coldair hues open at the
level of the second floor. The moment
the heat begins to rise through the
pipes, it draws it's supply from the cold
air below it, and, with properly ar
ranged fiue, there is not the slightest
difficulty in getting the most perfect
action. Every room in every house
should have ventilator either at the
ceiling or the floor, or both.
In one of the best arranged houses
ever constructed there was ventilator
eight inches by twelve in the Dashboard
of every room. ThisVas connected with
q pipe that ran to the kitchen chimney,
and was imbedded in the masonry. The
beat of the chimney created continT-
Gus current, and drew out the cold ana
stagnant air at the floor.
When the hot-air register was open
steady draught was made, and with
very slight opening in the ceiling ven
tilator, the most perfect conditions
were secured. When there is no pro-
vision made for ventilation, the very
best substitute is window slightly
lowered from the top. Another way is
to raise the lower sash and put fitted
strip of board in the open space, then
close the window down upon it. leav-
ing about three-fourths of an inch
open between the two sashes. This,
however, is but malleshift, and does
not fill the place of properly arranged
f1ues with gratings that can be opened
and closed at will.
When the heat is first turned into a
room it is of great advantage to open a
window from the top for the space of an
inch or so. This gives opportunity for
circulation Of air, and the room warns
up much more quickly. When the heat
comes into room filled with cold air
without any escape, it simply beats
against what is TVactically cold-air
cushion, and makes very little Roadway.
All housekeepers ought to study the
principles of ventilation and be able in
diligently and practically to regulate
the fresh-air supply of their homes
N V TedOar