The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-12-23
THE FRESH AIR QUESTION.
Homes InsuffieientIy Ventilated and
Usually Overheated
New York Herald.

The Heralds recent editorial on the
prevention of the Common Cold" has
provoked such a wide discussion by va
rious correspondents as to leave no doubt
regarding 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
possibilities in such direction. Not ev-
cry one can take cold bath or sleep
in a draught, no matter how beneficial
they may he said to be. Some tough
chaps can break the ice in river and
return from the plunge with healthy
glow, but the majority of mankind fol-
lowing such examples would soon take
the ice in altogether another shape as a
fitting object lesson to surviving rela-
tives.
In all discussions of the utility and ex-
pediency 1T is the extremes of venture we
must necessarily avoid. No one, for IN
stance, can have too much fresh air,
draughts. 1t is the question only how
much each needs and can safely use. The
man who can hold pint cannot be ex-
pected to digest a quart.
But fresh air is not necessarily a freeZ-
ing atmosphere. We are plainly reason
able In this view in making ourselves
comfortable within doors even without
overcoats. On the other hand, there is
ficiently 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 cOHtagion, but in a most
direct way causes the numerous colds
which We all strive to avoid We drive
our house furnaces and al the same time
choke the draughts of our own internal
fires.
The remedy consists in beginning at the
right end, sensibly and determinedly, by
a new system of fresh air education. by
reasonable methods we can gradually
lnure ourselves against cold in almost
any degree. and by proper ventilation can
1nuS stimulate our. resisting qudntles.
Inc more We discreetly and gradually ex-
ercise this resistance the surer. in the
long run, will we get the better of the
lnfirmities and weakness which are the
special penalties of the neglect of ma
lures cardinal law.
But while we are getting strong in such
respects we must be reminded 10 keep
reasonably comfortable in so doing.
II 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 temperatures by more or less
PED covering rather than shut out the
pure and life-giving air. 1t is the body
as whole that needs necessary protec-
ton, not so much the lungs. The coolest
AIR Is warmed as soon as it is inspired.
EVEN patients with pneumonia can
breathe it with benefit. and tuberculosis
is cured in a zero temperature.
FOR feeble persons the compromise
consists In thoroughly airing apartments
When empty. and when they are closed
again in suitably warming the fresh cir
Tor healthy breathing purposes the
open window habit can thus be cultivated
with safety to all. OF course, the more
confirmed the habit the better During
the coolest nights it is merely question
OF sufficient covering. Even the .'shiver-
er would thus keep warm II he had
blankets enough to prevent his from
Kicking and could keep his chin suffi-
GENTLY above the high tide of his piled
ering.