Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-11-14
Sunlight and Fresh Air Necessities
of a Healthy Home.

The late DR.. 5. Oakley Vanderpoel
who was q most efficieet health officer
in answer to aquestion regarding the bes
disinfectants for an infected ship, replied
that he was always satisfied when hi
could allow the fresh winds of the bay
to sweep through the cabins, and the
sunshine to paralyze and kill the noxiOu!
gents. This was before the days o.
germs and before bacteriology had prov
ed that these are even now the mair
means of overcoming unsanitary condi'
tions from any cause.
The same doctrine applies as much t.
our homes as to our ships. The thou
sands who are at this time putting theil
houses in order have abundant oppOr
tunities of proving the practical value O.
this very simple method of disease pre-
vention.
Clean and we'll ventilated apartments
Ire always safe habitations in all wealth
ers, in all seasons, and are the mair
factors in reducing sickness and NOR
tality in any community.
The great consideration is not only tt
make them so but to keep them 80. II
is question of ceaseless detail and the
constant care of little things. The sani
tary arrangements of the modern dOmi
cile are growing more and more cOmpli
Gated. In most we'll regulated and vel
appointed houses the number of servants
far exceeds that of the family. 1t re
quires no small executive ability on thu
part of the housewife in any station t.
have all the necessary work rur
smoothly.
Unfortunately the things most neglect
ed are often those of greatest sanitary
Importance. The cellars and drains, fol
instance, are striking examples in point
What should be the cleanest part of the
house is often the receptacle of every
kind of rubbish that can be hidden anc
packed in the dark corners. The cellar
being out of sight is usually out of mind
The hot air furnace that is to supply
the heat for the coming winter may still
hold the cinders of the last fire, its fluel
may be choked with the accumulated
SCOT of months and the registers fillet
with the dust from the sweepings OF
spring and summer. How much these
conditions may have to do with the
stuffy character of heat supplied to the
family during the long winter months tc
come needs hardly to be mentioned.
The dust problem is one that must ap
peal to all, particularly to such as must
live in closely packed rooms for months
at time. We are told that these sus
pended particles of dirt carry the germs
of tuberculosis, of cerebo- spinal fever, Of
pneumonia and other infectious diseases
and yet the thoughtless housekeeper is
apparently unconscious of their multi
pie and threatening dangers.
Cleanliness and ventilation instead Of
being considered guarantees of safety
against disease are almost entirely ignor.
ed. and windows are very often kept
closed during the entire winter for feal
of wasting heat. The exact contrary
should be the case, as the most benefi'
cial warmth is obtained by the daily air.
ing of all rooms and the systematic heat.
ing of the changed atmosphere. The
neglect of such precaution explains why
apartments are generally overheated and
winter colds are so frequent.
1t is not generally appreciated as
fact that the dryer the air the more
neat IL reQulTou 10 MAKE tuo dluospuoEe
sensibly warmer to the body. Healthy
air must have its normal ratio OF
humidity, and vapor added to a dried
and ventilated atmosphere always makes
the latter more comfortable, even though
it marks corresponding lower tempera.
ture on the thermometer. But to make
the proper balance between indoor and
outdoor air we must admit enough OF
the latter to make superheated atmos-
phere impossible night or day.
1t may be surprising to many to learn
during even the colder months how
much such custom will conduce to the
health and welfare of the family. At
all events it is worth while to start we'll
and do the cleaning" in the proper and
rational way while we are about it.
Last winter there was an alarming
epidemic of spotted fever, due, it is
claimed, to unhygienic homes. Are we
to repeat these sad experiences by any
neglect of duty to ourselves and othersP
If we must meet any new epidemic we
should at least 60 into the fight with
clean decks and clear conscience.-Ex.