Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-01-03
DR.. EUGENE L. FISK.

bon dioxide, while the air of a crowd
ed ~schoolroom may contain twenty
times that amount and be correspond
ingly Initiated by organic impurities,
microbes and what has been well
named the Sewage of the lungs and
skin.
Renewing Air In Rooms.
Even where a liberal air space is
allotted to each individual it is neces-
sary that the air OF a room be cam
pleteIy changed at least once every
hour. In schools and factories where
there is limited air space per capita
arrangements are often made for
changing the air from five to seven
times per hour.
One gas burner consumes as much
oxygen as four and one-half men.
I have considered thus far the air
poisons and deleterious matters de-
rived from the human body. Other
sources OF contamination also exist
and are a menace to health. I have
mentioned vapor of water as an ingre-
dent Of pure air. This vapor is quite
necessary to health, and its absence
occasions a peculiar dryness Of the
skin and a STIFFNESS In the head which
is often the first stage of a common
cold. The cold is directly caused by
to their attacks by the conditions
above described.
The absence of vapor~of water Is
usually the result Of faulty heating
| methods. A hot air furnace or stove
will supply unduly dry air unless
some device is used for supplying
moisture. Such devices are ordinarily
| attached to furnaces In the form of a
| small reservoir opening into the air
supply. Neglect to keep this reservoir
filled with water Is q serious mistake
and may be responsible for much dis
comfort and illness. Where no such
device is a part Of the heating appara-
!, tus a vessel of water should be placed
! upon the stove or at some point where
! the hot air viii pass over It and take
up the moisture; otherwise it will take
| the moisture from the body.
The temperature in the house should
i not be allowed to rise above 60 de-
grees. Neglect of this precaution Is
| frequently responsible o undue sus-
ceptibility to colds.
some Ventilation Points.
In considering the practical problem
| OF ventilation the following items are
Of most impertancet
TIL -u--4 IA - -~-AsfnA
ing, especially In the winter time, is
the heating system. The hot air fur
| mace, which insures a constant supply
Of fresh outside air, is the best sys-
tenn If the air is supplied direct to
each room and the precautions taken
to keep the air moist which l have
| already outlined. While this system
| does. not provide for releasing bad air,
| this usually escapes through the cracks
of doors and windows. 1t is desir-
able, however, to have open fireplaces
wherever possible to insure the rapid
escape OF vitiated air. Where stoves
are employed the air is not changed
very rapidly, and the dangers of con-
Elimination from coal gas necessitate
some special means of ventilation. An
excellent measure is to raise the lower
sash of a window about four inches
and close the opening with an accu-
rately fitting board. This will allow
the air to come In between the two
sashes without causing a draft. Two
holes may be cut IN this board-an
small boxes opening toward the cell
ing placed over them.
Z As frequently as possible living
rooms should be thoroughly ventilated
by opening all windows and doors and
rapidly and completely changing the
air.
Where the hot water or steam sys-
tenn is used for heating the above pre-
cautions are also advisable, as such
systems do not provide any means Of
ventilation. =
VentiIating at Night.
The problem of v~entilating at night
Is much simpler, but in all these mat
tiers conmo sense and caution must
be used. In the winter time pre-
cautions should be taken against
drafts, Dul u tuUIOuSn fc1lli ttioA VI
the sleeping rooms should be rigidly
maintained regardless Of the condition
of the weather. 1t is usually posi-
BILE to have free ventilation without
draft by properly placing the bed.
The ideal method. however, Is to have
a sleeping porch OF balcony, where n
may sleep practically in the open. Such
a porch can easily be adjusted for
! protection from Indictment weather.
Another method is the window tent.
This is very much like an ordinary
window awning, but Is placed on the
inside of the window owe the upper
part of the sleeper's body completely
shutting him of from the air of the
room. This isetised has the advantage
of insuring the constant breathing of
outside air without drafts and at the
same time keeping the temperature Of
the room fairly warm
Not more than one person should
sleep IN 4 small bedroom. II possible
children should sheep alone and each
child have q rooun to itself.