farmers" iis-stitutes. 817 



where slops, dish water, etc., are usually thrown out at one place at no 

 great distance from the buildings. This may possibly prove no menace to 

 health during the winter months, particularly in northern latitudes. But 

 the same can not be said of the summer. The hot sun is certain to have 

 such an effect on these places that the air becomes poisoned, and poisoned 

 air, as all physicians know, makes possible the life of the bacteria and 

 germs responsible for nearly all the most dreaded of our infectious dis- 

 eases. It is best not to throw slops on the ground at all. for they can be 

 more profitably used, either fed to the poultry or pigs. Another reason 

 is that it places the home in a dryer atmosphere above the heavy damp 

 stratas of air that are found on the lower land. Nearly every one has 

 noticed a fog over these low parts early in the morning during different 

 seasons of the year, which has a tendency to cause chills and other 

 diseases. 



It is also veiy important to ventilate the house thoroughly, as noxious 

 exhalations and organic vapors of Sarious kinds collect in every occupied 

 house. They may be harmless at first, but in time become subject to 

 decomposition, and are then decidedly hurtfill, although their presence 

 may not be detected at all. Open j^our house every day if possible, so that 

 a sti'ong current of air may sweep through it. The living room is better 

 on the southeast side of the house, so as to receive plenty of sunlight. 

 There should be transoms over all the doors and plentj' of Avindows, so 

 that a sufficient amount of pure air can be admitted. It is very unhealthy 

 to sleep in a closely shut up I'oom without a circulation of fresh air. 

 Good sanitation requires painted walls, well seasoned woodwork with an 

 cracks puttied up, and painted floors, laid close and not requiring car- 

 peting; furniture without upholstering, that may gather dirt, germs, etc. 

 Caution should be taken against sweeping in such a manner as to stir up 

 disease-breeding germs. Damp brooms, damp floors and as little agitation 

 as possible, combined with the use of a damp dust cloth, would reduce 

 this to a minimum. 



A great many people think that any out-of-the-way place will do for 

 a bathroom, where it is dark and badly ventilated. But this room should 

 be as light, clean and well ventilated as any other room in the house. 

 The closets are often repositories for old mops, rags, dirt, etc., but it 

 should be the rule of every housekeeper to keep the closets clean and 

 pure, so that they will not be the hiding place of many loitering germs. 



Cellars are best built elsewhere than under the house, because of 

 dampness affecting the entire house, bad odors and germs of decaying 

 vegetables and other objectionable reasons. But where situated under 

 the house care should be taken to thoroughly ventilate it. Failure to give 

 this part of the house the same attention as the living rooms is a fruitful 

 source of disease. Nothing is more conducive to bad health than a wet 

 clammy and poorly ventilated cellar. If you are to build a new house 

 make the ventilation and drainage of your cellar an important considera- 



5i:— Agri. 



