Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-17
THE FRESH AIR QUESTION.
Homes Insufficiently Ventilated and
Usually Overheated.
From the New York Herald

From the New York Herald.
The Herald's recent editorial on the
Prevention of the Common Cold" has pro-
voked such wide discussion by various
correspondents as to leave no doubt re-
garding the Importance of the subject to
all parties concerned.
All phases of the question have been
presented, principally those referring to
cold bathing, going without overcoats and
shivering in bed with open windows.
Naturally there are men and women Of
different minds when individual adapta-
ton to various environments is to be con-
sidered.
While there can be nothing said against
the principle of cultivated hardihood, still
each individual has his Limitation of posi-
bilities in such direction. Not every one
can take cold bath or sleep in draught
no matter how beneficial they may be
said to be. Some tough chaps can break
the ice in river and return from the
plunge with healthy glow, but the ma
jority of mankind following such ex-
amples would soon take to the ice in alto
gether another shape as a fitting object
lesson to surviving relatives.
In all discussions of the utility and ex-
pediency it is the extremes of venture we
must necessarily avoid. No one, for in
stance, can have too much fresh air,
night or day, provided he avoids direct
draughts. 1t is the question only how
much each needs and can safely use. The
man who can hold a pint cannot be ex-
pected to digest a quart.
But fresh air is not necessarily freez-
ing atmosphere. We are plainly reason
able in this view in making ourselves COM
coats. On the other hand, there is no
doubt that our homes are very INSULT
GENTLY ventilated and besides very much
overheated.
1t is the stuffy and baked air of our
living and bed rooms that not only in
duces the debility that invites disease and
that propagates contagion, but in a most
direct way causes the numerous Goods"
which we all strive to avoid. We drive
our house furnaces and at the same time
choke the draughts of our own internal
fires.
The remedy consists in beginning at the
right end, sensibly and determinately by
new system of fresh afr education. BY
reasonable methods We can gradually
inure ourselves against cold in almost any
degree, and by proper ventilation can thus
stimulate our resisting qualities. The
more we discreetly and gradually exercise
this resistance the surer, in the long run,
Will We get the better of the infirmities
and weakness which are the special penal
ties of the neglect of natures cardinal
law.
But while we are getting strong in such
respects we must be reminded to keep
reasonably comfortable in so doing.
If we wish to cultivate the cold bath
habit We must commence In the warmer
months and feel our way along during the
freezing season.
So in the matter of open windows we
meet lower temper lures by iiore or less
bed covering rather than slut out the
pure and life-gfvins air. 1t is the body as
q whole that needs necessary protection,
not SO much the Lungs. The coolest air is
warmed as soon as 1t is inspired. Even
patients with pneumonia can breathe It
with benefit. and tuberculosis is cured in
zero temperature.
For feeble persons the compromise com
sists in thoroughly airing the apartments
when empty. and when they are closed
again In suitably warming the fresh air
for healthy breathing purposes. The open
window habit can thus be cultivated with
safety to all. OF course. the more con-
frmed the habit the better. During
the coolest nights 1t is merely a question
of sufficient covering. Even the ''shiver-
err would thus keep warm IL he had
blankets enough to prevent him from kick
ing and could keep his chin sufficiently
above the high tide of his piled over
spreads to prevent him from smothering.