Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-01
BYPROF. C. V.P. YOUNG.

PROF. C. v. p. YOUNG.
Head of the Department Of Physical Educa-
ton, Cornell University.
(Copyright 1891. by the Associated Press)
ITHACA, N. Y. July Proper ven
tain changes inside the body. as upon
pure air-and in some instances even
pure air alone is insufficient.
Some years ago an interesting expert
ment was tried to determine the effects
of breathing vitiated air. A group Of
students were placed in an incloSed
glass cabinet. and we're kept there for
variable periods up to four hours, re-
breathing the same air until the amount
of carbon dioxide exceeded by 10 to 10
times that found in a crowded and
poorly ventilated room.
Strange to relate, it was found that, in
spite of the greatly leSSened oxygen
content and the excessive amount Of
carbon dioXide. no symptoms of illness
developed so long as measures were
taken to keep the temperature and the
moisture reasonably low.
Cause of Depression.
Very different were the results, how
ever, when the temperature and moist
normally with the continued breathing
The students at once began to show
depression, headache, dizziness and q
tendency to nausea. They received no
relief when, without changing the con-
dftionS within the cabinet, they were
allowed to breathe through a tube the
fresh outside air. nor did this impure
internal air produce any symptoms of
discomfort when breathed through q
he hxy Otifsidn IA q
Furthermore the symptoms of dis
tresS displayed by those within the
cabinet almost Immediately disappeared
as soon as an electric fan was set in
motion, or the air was dried, or the
temperature was lowered, and that
without any chemical changes taking
place in the air itself.
AS result Of this very careful and
detailed series Of experiments. 1t was
clearly demonstrated that the symp-
toms arising from the so-called vitiated
atmosphere of a crowded room are the
result of heat Stagnation within the
body, rather than the chemical condi-
ton Of the air.
If a normal heat interchange can be
maintained between the body and the
air, the symptoms which are commonly
attributed to poor ventilation do not
develop, so that the ventilating problem
becomes a problem primarily of regu-
lating the temperature, the moisture or
humidity and the motion Of the air.
Sleeping Room Temperature.
Temperature Of a sleeping room In
the case of children, especially infants,
and very old people, should not be
allowed to 60 much below so degrees
Fehrenheit With the youth or adult
in normal health the minimum should
be about SO degrees. Fresh air need
not be cold to be beneficial, and mothers
are often under the impression that
children will become harder and main
tain better health if they are required
TO sleep in bed rooms which are very
cold.
Furthermore. even with normal adults
It is, to my mind, a mistaken idea that
the open window should prevail, how
ever low the temperature may go or
whatever may be the velocity of the
wind. Not only is it desirable to protect
the recumbent body from drafts. but
we know that quick changes In temper
ture are a tremendous strain upon the
heat regulating mechanism Of the body
and are often detrimental to the health,
while the attempt to dress IN that
same cold room may very easily result
in a decided chill.
individuals Of robust physical health
may with impunity sleep and dress in a
very cold room, and even take shower
on a very cold day, but all persons
cannot endure 1t with the same i'm
punity when they are fatigued or for
any reason below normal. The body
will become Injured to almost any de-
gree Of exposure by practice and train
ing, but If extreme it is very apt to be
at the expense of vitality, and it is no
assurance of later health and longevity.
Limits to Outdoor Sleeping.
The rule. therefore, of the open-win-
dow habit. and even more CT the out
door sleeping habit, during very severe
weather cannot be applied to all per-
sons, nor should 1t be applied neces-
sarily in the case Of the same individual
at all times.
1t should be remembered finally that
the problem of ventilation Is related IN
some degree to such matters as age. sex,
regulation OF the diet and the wearing
of suitable clothing. SO that, in general.
the safe rule to observe at all times.
both day and night for young and for
old, is a wise moderation.
nRlUER Ic INlllRE0