FoodNet

The art of living in Australia

1893

Page 38

Presented as published in 1893. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
the teeth are crowded close together in the jaw. But under all circumstances, whether the teeth be closely set together, or whether they be more widely apart, a piece of floss silk should be passed between them dally, so as to remove any adherent particles, and at the same time to thoroughly cleanse the sides of the teeth. ( 42 ) CHAPTER IV. BEDROOM VENTILATION. Now, if all houses were built in accordance with the requirements of modern sanitary ideas, there would be but little difficulty in grappling with the problem of bedroom ventilation, for the sleeping apartment would be a well ventilated room, with all the latest contrivances, such as Tobin's ventilatore, for the admission of fresh air. Bub as the greater number of people bave to live in rented dwellings in which the rooms are very small, it becomes necessary to know what can be done to remedy existing defects. In the first place the bedroom should always be upstairs if possible ; it is decidedly healthier, and there is a better chance for the supply of fresh air. The very worst room in the house that could be chosen for a sleeping apartment would be one on the basement. Then again, a fireplace in the bedroom is a priceless boon, and it is almost impossible to rectify such a deficiency. But as too many rooms are built without it, we are compelled to look to the window for our air supply. It is estimated that nearly one-third of every peraon's life is devoted to sleep ; that is to say, about one-third of it is spent in the sleeping apartment. It is only natural, then, that this lOom and its surroundhigs should merit some special attention. As a matter of fact, from a health point of view, it should receive more consideration than all the rest of the house put together, for during our waking houi-s we are moving about and constantly changing our location ; but during sleep, when life is in abeyance to a certain extent, the system has passively to receive and be supported by what- BEBEOOM VENTILATION. 43 ever pure air the bedroom happens to possess. If, as too often is the case, that chamber is looked upon as a sort of cupboard, where, amongst other things, there is room for a bed, so much the worse for any one who has to sleep there. If the sleeper arises in the morning in a dazed and semi-suffocated state and quite unfitted for the day's work before him, instead of feeling refreshed, there is no occasion to seek far for the cause. For the mental toiler, also, it is equally important that the period devoted to the restoration of brain material and the imbibition of a fre^i supply of nerve power for the ensuing day's requirements should be passed under circumstances the most favourable for bestowing them.