the flue. This, as before stated, must be completed by a
fresh-air opening into the room on another side : if no
other can be had, the top of the window may be lowered
a little. The stove-pipe extension within the chimney
would better be of cast-iron, as more durable than the
sheet-iron. When no fire is used in the sleeping-rooms,
the chimney-flue must be heated by pipes from the kitchen
or other fires ; and, with the provision for fresh air never
forgotten, this simple device will invariably secure pure
and well-ox3^genated air for breathing. " Fussy and ex-
pensive," may be the comment; but the expense is less
than the average yearty doctor's bill, and the fussiness
nothing that 3'our own hands must engage in. Only
let heads take it in, and see to it that no neglect is
allowed. In a southern climate doors and windows are
of necessity open more constantly ; but at night the}^ are
closed from the fear referred to, that night-air holds some
subtle poison. It is merely colder, and perhaps moister,
than daj^-air ; and an extra bed -covering neutralizes this
danger. Once accustomed to sleeping with open win-
dows, 3'ou will find that taking cold is impossible.
If custom, or great delicacy of organization, makes un-
usual sensitiveness to cold, have a board the precise width
of the window, and five or six inches high. Then raise
the lower sash, putting this under it ; and an upward cur-
rent of air will be created, which will in great part purify
the room.
Bej^ond every thing, watch that no causes producing
foul air are allowed to exist for a moment. A vase of
neglected flowers will poison the air of a whole room.
In the area or cellar, a deca3ing head of cabbage, a basket
3f refuse vegetables, a forgotten barrel of pork or beef
26 THE HOUSE: VENTILATION.
brine, a neglected garbage pail or box, are all premiums
upon disease. Let air and sunlight search every corner
of the house. Insist upon as nearly spotless cleanliness
as may be, and the second prime necessity of the home
is secure.
When, as it is written, man was formed from the dust
of the earth, the Lord God "breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life ; and man became a living soul/'
Shut off that breath of life, or poison it as it is daily
poisoned, and not only body, but soul, dies. The child,
fresh from its long day out of doors, goes to bed quiet,
content, and happy. It wakes up a little demon, bristling
with crossness, and determined not to "be good."- The
breath of life carefully shut out, death has begun its work,
and you are responsible. And the same criminal blunder
causes not only the child's suffering, but also the weak-
ness which makes many a delicate woman complain that
it " takes till noon to get her strength up."
Open the windows. Take the portion to which you
were born, and life will grow easier.
DRAINAGE AND WATER-SUPPLY, 27
CHAPTER III.
DRAINAGE AND ^WATEK-SUPPLY.
Page 11
Presented as published in 1881. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
the flue. This, as before stated, must be completed by a fresh-air opening into the room on another side : if no other can be had, the top of the window may be lowered a little. The stove-pipe extension within the chimney would better be of cast-iron, as more durable than the sheet-iron. When no fire is used in the sleeping-rooms, the chimney-flue must be heated by pipes from the kitchen or other fires ; and, with the provision for fresh air never forgotten, this simple device will invariably secure pure and well-oxygenated air for breathing. " Fussy and expensive," may be the comment; but the expense is less than the average yearty doctor's bill, and the fussiness nothing that your own hands must engage in. Only let heads take it in, and see to it that no neglect is allowed. In a southern climate doors and windows are of necessity open more constantly ; but at night they are closed from the fear referred to, that night-air holds some subtle poison. It is merely colder, and perhaps moister, than day-air ; and an extra bed -covering neutralizes this danger. Once accustomed to sleeping with open windows, you will find that taking cold is impossible.
If custom, or great delicacy of organization, makes unusual sensitiveness to cold, have a board the precise width of the window, and five or six inches high. Then raise the lower sash, putting this under it ; and an upward current of air will be created, which will in great part purify the room.
Beyond every thing, watch that no causes producing foul air are allowed to exist for a moment. A vase of neglected flowers will poison the air of a whole room. In the area or cellar, a deca3ing head of cabbage, a basket of refuse vegetables, a forgotten barrel of pork or beef
brine, a neglected garbage pail or box, are all premiums upon disease. Let air and sunlight search every corner of the house. Insist upon as nearly spotless cleanliness as may be, and the second prime necessity of the home is secure.
When, as it is written, man was formed from the dust of the earth, the Lord God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life ; and man became a living soul/'
Shut off that breath of life, or poison it as it is daily poisoned, and not only body, but soul, dies. The child, fresh from its long day out of doors, goes to bed quiet, content, and happy. It wakes up a little demon, bristling with crossness, and determined not to "be good."- The breath of life carefully shut out, death has begun its work, and you are responsible. And the same criminal blunder causes not only the child's suffering, but also the weakness which makes many a delicate woman complain that it " takes till noon to get her strength up."
Open the windows. Take the portion to which you were born, and life will grow easier.
DRAINAGE AND WATER-SUPPLY, 27
CHAPTER III.
DRAINAGE AND WATER-SUPPLY.