The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1914-12-03
NO ORGANIC MATTER
FOUND in BAD AIR
Bacteria In Air Not Considered
In Studies Of Ventilation
Problems,

In the light of more modern studies
In ventilation 1t would seem that the
real explanation of the i'll effects OF
bad ventilation is not to be found In
the chemical composition of the atmos-
phere breathed. One is constrained to
ask wherein the disagreeable or detri-
mental influences of poorly ventilated
spaces lie. The various phases OF this
vital Inc timely, though not new SUBJ
ject We're discussed some time ago
by qualified experts in a symposium on
ventilation at the Chemists Club In
New York City. There is unanimity
among them regarding the possible sig
~niflcance of the chemical Wilton of the
air. Pure air contains nearly 81 per
cent. of oxygen. This may be reduced
TO II per cent, q proportion too small
even to support ordinary combustion,
before Its dimintltion becomes harmful.
Except in extreme conditions the
amount of oxygen in the closest halls
crowded with people, practically never
rails below 20 per cent. Oxygen will,
therefore, take care of itself and may
probably be wholly left out Of con-
sideration in yentilating systems. In
deed, Henderson has reminded us that
1t is necessary to go only a short dis
lance up into the mountains to come
under an atmospheric pressure such as
to reduce the oxygen supply much
more than it is reduced in crowded as
semblies, and yet mountain air Is es-
pecially healthful. The amount of oxy-
gen IN the air apparently has little or
nothing to do with the stimulating or
depressing properties OF the atmosphere
breathed in ordinary life.
The air, under the usual conditions,
contains about 4 parts of carbon dioxid
per 10000 parts (0o.4 per cent?
and the standard" of desired purity
Tor the air of dwellings was long placed
as low as six parts per 10000. Ex-
Fermentation indicates. however, that
1t does not become harmful to man
until carbon dioxid accumulates to
above l per cent, or nearly 40 times
its usual amount. The air in crowded
rooms very rarely reaches o. per cent,
SO that evidently a quantity of carbon
dioXid far exceeding the highest n.y.
gienic limit which has hitherto been
set up as a standard" can be breathed
with impunity.
The long debated idea that expired
air contains organic matter which is
TOXIC Ia been abandoned by most
physiologists. The bacteria in the air
need not be considered, since the COM
paratiVe unimportance of the air as a
vehicle of infriction is recognized. We
may conclude with reasonable certainty
that the discomfort in a badly ventil-
ated place is luz to the physical con-
ditfon of the air in respect to temper
allure, humidity and movement. and not
TO any chemical properties. The symp-
toms noted in closed, crowded
restless, headache. dizziness, nausea,
etc.-are to be attributed to heat re-
tention. Overheating is the chief evil
to be guarded against in ventilation at
present. Tne CHER danger of our tor
rid summer days is not the heat alone,
but combined a n humidity; it Is
the same factors which are responsible
for the evil effects of the confined air
of rooms. There is no doubt that the
air Of our American living rooms and
many schoolrooms and other assembly
chambers is kept too warm.
Further Investigations of the condi-
tons actually existing in the midst of
what is assumed to be inadequate VEN
filation are called for, according to the
Journal OF the American Medical as
ISOLATION. The extraordinary thing
about the shifting practices in the ven-
t1latlon of public building is that
sweeping conclusions and far reaching
changes in policy have been arrived at
Withou n detailed or systematic
study such as seems essential in order
to establish a safe basis for action.