Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-02-15
huxA,, 1Ntaz,
- II
New York.
PROPER VENTILATION
IN STREET. CARS.

crowded street car, and the OBJ
= servations made while riding
dozen blocks convinced me that
good many of the diseases peculiar to
winter may be traceable to the condi-
tions of the public conveyances. In
the car in which Travelled all the
transoms were closed and the fire in
the heater was blazing. The torrid
temperature that prevailed caused
the passengers 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,
grin. diphtheria and similar dis
eases; it seemed impossible that they
would all escape. The brisk fire was
an exception on a 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 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-
nuested 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
Div in an amazing degree. Contagion
is thus spread abroad, and many cpl
denies might be traced to the use of
oyerheated public conveyances.
On entering a car always loosen the
Jacket. The sensible woman modifies
her dress to suit the temperature of
the day. Should she by mistake start
ont on a comparatively mild day
wearing her 'sealskin jacket, it Is the
mart Of wisdom to turn back and
change it for fall coat.
The stores in which women shop
are always kept at a comfortable
temnerature 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 Woodworking
employees. Consequently the sensible
woman who goes into store expect
ing to remain for any length of time
will, slim off her coat. Some day enter
nrising 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
considerable time in this way, will
soon be annoyed to find that she is
perspiring. Going out into the cold
in this condition, the chances are SO
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
ature 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 fiends should ex-
ercise discretion in insisting that the
| window be raised even a few inches.
In moderate weather it is good
i thing to have the window open on a
| screen Just very little bit, but when
| the train is to cross the mountains
| even in warm weather night will find
| the car travelling through quite an
| icy atmosphere. Before retiring al
ways insist that the porter leave the
| ventilators open.
| All public places Of amusement are
| hard to ventilate. A perfect system
| Of ventilating is difficult to obtain
| In going into a concert room, lecture
hall or theater it is always best to
| take off the wrap.
MARY SCOTT ROWLAND.
| New York.