The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-11
II
New York.
PROPER VENTILATION
IN STREET CARS.

1.-THE other day i went into a
crowded street car, and the OBJ
4 servations l made while riding a
dozen blocks convinced me that a
good many of the diseases peculiar to
winter may be traceable to the condl-
tions of the public conveyances. In
the car in which l travelled all the
transoms were closed and the fire in
the heater was blazing. The torrid
temperature that prevailed caused
the passengers a great deal of dis
comfort, for all of them wore heavy
wraps which they could not conven-
iently take off. They mopped their
foreheads, on which a light perspira-
ton had gathered, showing that the
heat had opened the pores Of the
body. I wondered how many Of
them, stepping out into the zero at
mosphere in that condition, would be
victims of pneumonia, bronchitis,
grip, diphtheria and similar dis
eases; it seemed impossible that they
would all escape. The brisk fire was
an exception on very cold day. for
in such weather you will usually find
that the conductors have difficulty in
making it burn, for the simple rea-
son that a fire draws better in mild
than in severe weather.
Those who ride in overheated. I'M
derventilated cars should politely
call the conductors attention to the
temperature. The man will generally
be found perfectly willing to do the
best he can when he learns the better
way, but he is a busy, overworked
and often underpaid individual who
cannot be expected to have the wis
dom of a college graduate in matters
relating to hygiene. He should be re-
uuested to open the ventilators and
regulate the heat. The overheating
of the cars is dangerous from another
standpoint. All sorts of disease germs
are carried into the car on the shoes
of the passengers, and in the tropical
atmosphere these develop and multi
ply in an amazing degree. Contagion
is thus spread abroad, and many cpl
denies might be traced to the use Of
overheated public conveyances.
On entering car always loosen the
Jacket. The sensible woman modif1es
her dress to suit the temperature of
the day Should she by mistake start
out on a comparatively mild day
wearing her sealskin jacket, it is the
part of wisdom to turn back and
change it for a fall coat.
The stores in which women shop
are always kept at a comfortable
temperature for the salespeople.
which is not what is suitable for
shoppers wearing heavy wraps. OF
course, no one would wish the mer-
chants TO modify the temperature at
the expense of their hardworking
Consequently the sensible
woman who goes into a store expect
ing to remain for any length Of time
will slip off her coat. Some day enter
prising merchants will arrange to
have coats checked at the door just
as they do umbrellas in stormy
weather. The woman who goes about
from counter to counter, spending
time in this way, will
soon be annoyed to find that she is
Going out into the cold
in this condition, the chances are 80
out of 100 that she will take cold. If
she goes into the shop but for ten
minutes, it is wise to remove the coat.
In travelling in a sleeping car in
winter always call for an extra
blanket, for it will be redhot when
you enter the car, but a polar temper
allure by the middle Of the night. In
travelling nothing is worse for the
throat than the night air. One is
more likely to take cold asleep than
awake. so fresh air f1ends should ex-
srcise discretion in insisting that the |
window be raised even few inches.
In moderate weather IL is a good |
thing TO have the window open on i
screen Just a very little bit. but when |
the train is 10 cross the mountains
.ven in warm weather night viii find
The car travelling through quite an
cy atmosphere. Before retiring al
xays insist that the porter leave the
-entilators open
All public places Of amusement are
lard TO ventilate. A perfect system
If ventilating is difficult to obtain
IN going into a concert room. lecture
lall OF theater IL Is always best 30
axe of the wrap.
MARY SCOTT ROWLAND.
New York