The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-09-17
Bad Air Dulls the Mind.
sS n. AppINGToN BRUCE.
Autho, of The Riddle of Personality,
Psychology and Parenthood, etc.

There still are a great many people who, un-
fortunately for themselves, do not appreciate
the importance of fresh air as aid 10 physical
and mental health
Foul air" wise old physician wrote many
years ago. "slays like a sword" II may not clay
with the swiftness OF sword But give II time
enough and il is equally fatal. And even COM
paratively slight deprivation of fresh air Will
have disasirousIy deadening effect on mind
and body alike.
| once was consulted by a young man, a
student in an eastern university, who complain
ed that he had unaccountably found himself go
ing stale" He could not concentrate on MS
studies: he felt tired all the time, and he slept
badly.
deal for me 10 get 10 college. | have worked
hard for the chance, and cannot afford 10
break down now.
knew that he had worked hard and knew
that he had worked in the open air. | suspected
that his nervousness and brain flag" might be
chiefly due TO a sedentary occupation, carried on
indoors and perhaps without thought OF the
need for ventilation.
Questioning him. found this suspicion yeri-
fed Il was his custom To study for hours at a
time in small room with only window. and
with that window closed TO keep out the winter
cold Afterward when he went TO bed, he
would open only an inch
What you need" ! told him, us fresh air and
plenty of il. Drop your books and go 10 the
| country for a couple OF weeks. Tramp around
! in the snoM-S Sleep with your windows wide
/ open. And when you come back study with
your windows open
IF you feel a draught use screen or put in
an inexpensive ventilation sash. There - moth
/ ing YOU need so much as fresh air, and all the
| fresh air you can get"
This young man literally suffering from
| BRAIN POISONING, due TO impure air. There
| are thousands OF men and women similarly
! weakened by bad air, and betraying symptoms
| Of nervousness and exhaustion which rightly
cause them much anxiety.
The mind needs fresh air just az much as the
body does, for the reason.that the brain, through
which the mind works. Is bodily organ.
| II depends for its nourishment on a constant
supply of good rich blood The blood, in turn
| il largely dependent for It's richness on a con
slant supply OF oxygen, which it abSorbs from
the lung tissues
The moment fresh air is prevented from rom
! ing into the room. that moment the person OF
/ persons working or sleeping in this room cut
short the supply OF oxygen for their blood
Also, owing 10 their exhalation Of toxic breath
products THAI have no chance Of being swept
1 away by a yentilating current they filled the all
| of the room with the substances which, on being
rebreathed get into the blood stream TO poison
IL.
| Headache drowsiness fatigue. are the first
physical symptoms OF this poisoning. Inability
TO concentrate the attention, 10 remember well
| 10 think clearly. are its mental symptoms.
| Consequently, II YOU desire not merely TO keep
! well physically, but 20 maintain high level Of
mental efficiency. keep your living rooms and
your sleeping room well ventilated.