HEALTH COLUMN

Otago Witness, Issue 2111, 9 August 1894, Page 48

HEALTH COLUMN

Fresh Air as a Medicine.

It was thought at one time that it was simply by expiring carbonio acid gas and using up the oxygen in the urocess of respiration that the air is rendered" unfit for use ; bnt this did not explain the unpleasant and stuffy Bmell noticed in badly-ventilated rooms, and it was further found that pure carbonic acid could be introduced into a room in far greater quantity than is found even in overcrowded apartments without producing any ill effect upon those living in it. It is now believed that the injurious nature of air which has been breathed is due to the presence in it of minute quantities of very poisonous organic matter, supposed to be exhaled from the lungs.

Before considering how the air of a room may be purified by ventilation, it may be as well to point out how serious a risk is experienced by those who refuse to admit plenty of fresh air into their houses. The widespread presence of tuberculosis, or consumption, in England is clcsely associated with the want of proper ventilation in living rooms and in workshops. Fishermen, agricultural labourers, and all those following outdoor occupations are comparatively rarely, consumptive, while the disease is only too terribly prevalent among those who work in small and crowded rooms. Other diseases, among which may be mentioned measles, whooping cough, bronchitis, and especially diarrhoea, arc not only more frequent in badly-ventilated houses, but are also more fatal than where the Ventilation is efficient. These diseases are responsible for the greater proportion of deaths whioh occur in infancy and early childhood. It is therefore certain that the plea for fresh air'is nob merely a fad of the sanitary enthusiast, bnt is justified by the evil effects resulting from its absence. The bedroom,- in which we stay the longest time uninterruptedly, is unfortunately the worst ventilated room in the majority of cases. The door is shut, the windows closed, the fireplace covered up ; even sandbags are used to keep out the ever-dreaded draughts ; the bed is surrounded with curtain?, by •which the foul air is prevented from being distributed through the room, and thereby diluted. The wonder is, as the Irishman re* marked, that we don't wake up some fine morning and find ourselves dead in our beds. Too often our sleep is broken or disturbed by dreams, and we begin the day heavy and dull ; we assign all manner of reasons for this state of things except the right one ; the room should be large enough to contain constantly a' sufficient supply of fresh air. Theoretically, the minimum amount of- airspace to be allowed for each person is 1000 oubic feet — that is to say, the space supplied by a room 10ft high, 10ft long, and 10ft broad, making no allowance for space Occupied by furniture. Even the air contained in euoh a room will only suffice for quite a short ti me. In this climate the air of a room, unless artificial means of ventilation are applied, cannot be changed more than three times an boar without cansi. g draughts ; and the reason why 1000 cubic feet of space is given as the minimum is that 3000 cubic feet of air per hour are required by an average adult. It will be readily understood, therefore that in a room closed up as I have described the atmosphere becomes vitiated to an injurious degree.

Effectual ventilation of rooms can easily be arranged. Fresh air can enter by the window and the impure air escape through the chimney. If it be objected that an open window is draughty, the current of air can be directed upwards by a very simple device. The lower window-sash is raised atd the open space below filled in with a board Bin wide, fitting the window-frame accurately. The oorrentof air enters between the two Bashes, and a draught 4s avoided, Tobin'a ventilating tubes are based upon this prin* ciple. Of oourse an outlet for foul air must be provided, and it is easy to make an opening into the upper part of the chimney* breast. If in the morning the windows be 1 opened widely— top and bottom— so as to admit air and sunshine freely, a great improvement in sleep and in general health will be experienced by those who slept in the previously sealed-up bedroom. Children are particularly susceptible to the influence of Impure air, and therefore especial care should be taken to protect them from it. Schoolrooms- are often badly ventilated, and consequently the children suffer in health and in temper. Much of the headache and listlessness popularly ascribed to overpressure is really due to insufficient oxygen. One thing must not be forgotten ; we must get pure air to start with from outside. Very often the air as it enters is impure, owing to faulty drains or ashpits fall of decomposing matters. Or the house may be built on that abomination known as made soil — that is to say, over a hollow filled up with a soil made up of all sorts of* town refuse. Foul gaßes are generated, which enter the house and take disease with them. Much care ought, therefore, to be taken to select a house which shall be free from the dangers of insanitary surroundings. ■ If, in addition, plenty of air and light are constantly admitted, much will have been done to, secure long life, robust health, and happiness.— A Family Doctor, in Oassell's Magazine.

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