The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-04-08

chief surgeon Of the Department OF Commences
bureau of mines, division that knows much
if not more about pure and impure air than
any research organization in the world
In reprint No. 1850 of the public reports, Doc
tor Savers states: ut observed by many
investigators that it was not until the oxygen
content of the respiratory air fell below 10 per
cent that animals began to breathe with diff
Guilty. Friedlander and Herter concluded from
the results of their experiments that inhaling
of 20 per cent carbon dioxide for several hours
has no poisonous effect. Not until a mixture
of gas containing 80 per cent or more of carbon
doxide was introduced did they find appear
ance Of depression. Leblanc pointed out that
under conditions in which the carbon dioxide
content of the air increases considerably, in
lecture rooms, theaters ETC., the reduction of
oxygen content is small and very seldom falls
below 20 per cent, while the carbon doxide con-
tent very seldom exceeds per cent"
Doctor Savers refers to experiments conducted
by Herman in 1881 in which it was shown that
unless the carbon dioxide content rises to 3
per cent and the oxygen falls to 10 per cent
there no harmful reactions as q specific
result. These conditions almost impossible
to attain in ordinary room, extensive expert
ments have proved.
Doctor Sayers adds: Leblanc observed that
the dsagreeable sensation experienced by any,
entering the test chamber after being
d
peared unless the air humid and hot and
therefore concluded that fainting and nausea,
occurring in unventilated rooms, is not DUE
except in very definite cases, to the expiration
of harmful gases, but to insufficient cooling"
The same facts have been established by 9TH
er Investigators Of standing since that time. w.
Mehl, an engineer, in 1908 announced definite
ly the none1istence of a breath poison" He
asserted the carbon dioxide content Of a room
&c nat for fha -
ventilation. Mehl said injury to health proceeds
from excessive humidity and heat and that the
cooling and drying power of the atmosphere
is of more value than control of impurities or
of such gases as carbon dioxide.
The scientific findings definitely established
that it is the combination Of heat and humidity
that is so depressing and injurious to mental
and physical alertness, and the consequent dam
age to business and industrial efficiency brought
on by personal discomfort. With these facts,
engineers working conditioning of indoor air
found that it is easy to be comfortable in
room in which the customary thermometer
shows temperature of 80 degrees, IL the hui
mildly is lowered. They found also that it is
just easy to be completely uncomfortable in
a room with temperature of 80 degrees, but
relatively high humidity.
Devices for cooling had been successfully used
for several years. and dehumidifying machines
had been in operation in varied types of in
stallations. These two operations had been COM
bined in large central-type air conditioning
plants in theaters and public buildings, but
enormous ducts to carry the conditioned air into
the remote parts Of the structure were neces-
sary. Then there the question of heating
for the colder seasons, and of providing means
for humidifcation of the heated dry air of the
indoors so injurious to the sensitive mucous
membranes Of the body and blamed by most
medicos for the prevalence of colds
The small individual unit type air conditioner
was the result. In the warmer seasons its re-
frigeration compressor functions and it cools,
dehumidifes cleanses and circulates the air In
the colder periods the cooling operation be-
comes imperative and heating coil within the
conditioner, already connected with the regular
hot water, steam or vapOr system pipes i'm the
structure is turned on. Water is dissipated in
to the warm but dry air, and the perfect indoor
weather for winter is circulated
Leading economists. engineers and builders
have hailed air conditioning as the next big in
dustry of the nation. an industry supplying a
product that will take place along with the
telephone automatic refrigeration and the auto
mobile in general acceptance and necessity.
They point out also that air conditioning Is
new achievement that replaces practically notb
ing now in use finds for itself place in nopu
lar demand, and opens the way to increased
manufacturing, sales and installation activity
&c by Western Newspaper union)