Hygiene
119
generally end in consumption. Numerous shade-trees cast off many
leaves, which, if not immediately removed, decay, and poison the at-
mosphere. A yard, beautiful with scattering trees, and some shrubbery
at a proper distance from the house, has a happy, cheerful influence
upon the family, and if well taken care of, will prove no injury to
health.—
How to Live, 64
.
616. Rooms that are not exposed to light and air become damp.
Beds and bedding gather dampness, and the atmosphere in these rooms
is poisonous, because it has not been purified by light and air. Various
diseases have been brought on by sleeping in these fashionable, health-
destroying apartments.... Sleeping-rooms especially should be well
ventilated, and the atmosphere made healthful by light and air. Blinds
[142]
should be left open several hours each day, the curtains put aside, and
the room thoroughly aired; nothing should remain, even for a short
time, which would destroy the purity of the atmosphere.—
How to
Live, 62
.
617. Sleeping apartments should be large and so arranged as to
have a circulation of air through them day and night.—
How to Live,
63
.
618. Rooms that are not freely ventilated daily, and bedding that
has not been thoroughly dried and aired, are not fit for use. We feel
confident that disease and great suffering are brought on by sleeping in
rooms with closed and curtained windows, not admitting pure air and
the rays of the sun.... The room may not have had an airing for months,
nor the advantages of a fire for weeks, if at all. It is dangerous to health
and life to sleep in these rooms until the outside air shall have circulated
through them for several hours and the bedding shall have been dried
by the fire. Unless this precaution is taken, the rooms and bedding will
be damp. Every room in the house should be thoroughly ventilated
every day, and in damp weather should be warmed by fires.... Every
room in your dwelling should be daily thrown open to the healthful
rays of the sun, and the purifying air should be invited in. This will
be a preventive of disease.... If all would appreciate the sunshine, and
expose every article of clothing to its drying, purifying rays, mildew
and mold would be prevented. The confined air of unventilated rooms
meets us with sickening odors of mildew and mold, and the impurities
[143]
exhaled by its inmates.... The emanations from damp, moldy rooms