The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-02-27
Making Churches Sanitary
From Medical Talk for March.


An Italian bishop once sent out to the
priests of his diocese the following circular
l In all churches, Immediately after
feastdays on which there have been very
large congregations, the floors must be dis
| infected by means of wood sawdust soaked
in tenth per cent, solution OF corro-
siye sublimate On ordinary days they
must be frequently swept, after sprinkling
them with water so as to raise no dust.
? Every week, and even oftener, the
pews and confessionals must be cleaned
with Sponges and cloths moistened with
pure water.
, Every week, and oftener, if nee
essary, the grills of the confessionals are to
be washed and polished
1 The holy water reeeptacles must be
emptied every week, or ottener if necessa-
r., and washed with hot water or a solu-
tion of corrosive sublimate
That was a wise bishop who sent out the
above order. But we would like to
add one more item to it, namely; Tha,
after every service the church windows and
doors shall be thrown wide open and the
pure, fresh outdoor air allowed to sweep
through and through it, thoroughly cleans
ing it Of the poisonous air and filling it with
pure oxygen.
\ church may become very death trap
for a congregation if it Is not properly ven
tilated The air becomes yitiated and
filed with the carbonic acid gls breathed
out by the many people. Then the cou
gregation goes home, the church is closed,
and the impure and polluted air is allowed
to remain in the church throughout the
week
The next time the people assemble they
must re-breathe this same old, dead air.
If il Is in the winter time the air has been
heated, making it that much worse. The
windows are all closed. The people come
in from the outdoor air aud sit down to
breathe this stuffy atmosphere They be-
come drowsy and idgety and nervous.
Their heads begin to ache. They don
know what is the matter with them. They
never think Of opening a window and let
ting in some fresh air
When they 90 out into the winter all
again they take cold They have tonsili-
tis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and they lay
the foundation for consumption. Al be-
cause the church had not been ventilated.
If you go to church or have anything to
do With a church, let your voice be heard
in this matter Insist upon it that the
church be aired thoroughly after every
service, aud that during every service there
be some means Of ventilation provided. If
you are a preacher preach to your people
the gospel Of fresh air Provide them
with air aud they will not 20 TO sleep while
YOU are talking. Drive home 70 them the
sin Of poIiuting their lungs with poisonous
ar. Impress upon them the sacredness
Of the body and the harmfaIness Of con
Eliminating it with the unclean air of an
unventilated church Never talk to them
about saving their souls while their lungs
are being poisoned by foul air.
See that your church is swept and
cleaned and busted, that the ife-giyen
oxygen Is allowed to play through every
corner Of it, that the health and comfort
Of the congregation IS assured-this will
constitute 4 mere lasting benefit than al
the PRAYER and song service that could be
uttered 10 a close, stutfy, unyenlilaied room