The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-08
LIVING BY THE METER.
Cid Practitioner Again Discusses the
Importance Of Fresh Air.


Certain results inevitably follow the
breathing Of all vitiated air. AT first these
are slight and transitory-headache, nau-
sea. vertigo and other premonitory symp-
toms Of asphyxiation. Long-continued
deprivation OF pure air. leads to anemia,
bodily languor and inability TO work. PAL
lor. chronic loss of appetite and other
symptoms Of impoverished blood and in
jured health. The heart is affected, palpi-
tation ensues. the blood rushes to the head
and other symptoms OF a disturbance OF
circulation are manifested. Digestion is
also Influenced by the lack Of fresh air.
Diseases of the stomach, of the heart, the
lungs and other organs ensue and en-
phasize the fact that daily bath Of fresh
air is more essential than bath Of fresh
water.
Naturally. one goes to the country for
fresh air, but as the countryman in the
city is injuriously influenced by city air.
so the city man in the country must be-
come accustomed to the country air; he has
breathed impure air so long that pure air
is too rich for his blood. He becomes in
toxicated, as il were. upon it. and in adj
dition is likely to have colds in the head.
bronchitis, pleurisy rheumatism and other
the Mammoth cave, he has become accus-
toned to his surroundings aud adapted to
them, poor though they may be. and he
does not feel comfortable or happy in other
surroundings, even though they may be
better hygienically.
Thousansd of men and women sleep In
6x9 hail bedrooms through the night, work
in overcrowded workrooms or in ill-venti-
an evening off, in the summer, at the sea-
shore. where they regale themselves on
CLAIMS dug from mud flats reeking with
filth, and breathe sea air permeated with
the odor of sewage which GIBBS and flows
with the tide. They think they are living,
but they are merely existing. They do not
know what fresh air smells like, if it has
any smell, and they do not know what an
invigorating tonic fresh air is.
Thousands of people arise in the morning
slept in a foul atmosphere, poisoned by
their own breath; dragging themselves to
work with tired bodies and sluggish minds,
longing for night to come, longing for
some tonic to brace them up, but not know
ing what to take. Some resort to alcoholic
stimulants. only to add more poison to the
n
carbonic dioxidized brain by uraemic poi
soning. Others take narcotic drugs which
plunge the body and mind into the Lethe
of oblivion, and, while they drown care and
sorrow, drown life as well. Some Of these
people go to a physician, set forth their
many symptoms, none of which is very
marked, being covered broadly by an all
tired-out expression, and receive consola-
ton and-a prescription. If they ask for a
name they may be told that it is malaria
or nervous exhaustion, terms that slip glib
~ off the tongue and cover a multitude of
ills and ignorance. .
Many physicians realize that the city pub
lie are slowly dying from actual, but none
the less real, ong-Grawn-out air starvation;
that many Of the ill-defined diseases of city
life are due to air poisoning and insufficient
air scavengering but they are powerless to
counterfeit it. Some people themselves have
realized that they are like the mouse in the
bell-glass, and that like plants in a room
deprived Of air and sunshine they are
| blanching and whiting Hence those who
are wise have their homes in the suburbs,
| and, thanks to the electric roads which
| have covered the country like a gigantic
spiders web, it is becoming more and more
| possible for men Of moderate means to en-
| joy the country, which is becoming the
city's bedchamber, giving quiet rest and re-
freshing sleep. Still. to many men the city
/ is like that gigantic loadstone in the desert
which drew whole armies within it's attrac-
/ ton and would not let them escape until
| they died in their harness Some of these
| are business men, drawn by business cares
and grasping ambition. They could live in
| the country if they would, but they say
| they lose a few minutes in going to and
| from, and, therefore, cannot afford it.
| Money is dear to them that they would
| put a mortgage on time and hoard even
| minutes. Others are poor working men and
| women to whom time is life, for every min
| ute lost or wasted means privation and
| perhaps starvation. To them time lost in
| going TO and fro is q double loss, an ex-
| pense that they can Ill afford, a loss of
wage-earning moments.
| Santarians have busted themselves with
searching Investigations Of sewage; have
| formulated laws to prevent the spread OF
| infectious and contagious diseases; but
few if any laws have been passed regulat-
| ing the per capita amount OF fresh air
| Free as air. is a common saying and
| everyone is supposed to get enough, al
though the quality is not considered.
Tall buildings scraping the sky have
| brought some people higher heavenward
but they have also cut Off the free supply
| OF fresh air in the sitting streets. Perhaps
this will bring about an innovation. AS
| wind sails are employed to carry pure all
| into the close and suffocating holds OF
! ships. so perhaps the city Of the future
| will have wind sails ventilators with
their mouths In the upper air, carrying
fresh air to the narrow and crowded
| streets below.
Perhaps with the possibilities of liquid
air developed a man or woman may be
able to get fresh air at the soda fountains
and thus quaff enough oxygen at 9
draught to offset the partial suffocation OF
city life. But until that time does come
there is a remedy open to all. Fresh ali
| outings have done much for the children
but their good results are limited as tc
| quantity and quality. One day in the
country won't Offset 364 days in the city
| Dryden gives advice which the majority O.
| conscientious physicians will indorse. fol
| the true physician is not happy at the
| sight of pain and sorrow, but reioices tc
see it alleviated even if he does not make
| money thereby. Dryden says:
Better to hunt in fields for health un
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