LECTURES. 169 



for testing this and other questions connected with architecture, and 

 the result was invariably the same. Descending ventilation was also 

 inapplicable where lights were introduced that were not specially ven- 

 tilated. Where the products of gas and oil lamps were added to the 

 products of respiration the amount of ventilation requisite was so large 

 as to preclude a proper sup})ly without a movement of air so 

 great as to be objectionable on this ground alone, and^ at the same 

 time, very expensive. 



In some experiments, in which a number of the members of the 

 Eoyal Society of Edinburgh took a part, one of the clubs formed of 

 members of the society dined in one of the experimental rooms he had 

 constructed. Fifty attended on this occasion, including the president, 

 Sir Thomas Brisbane^ the late Lord Cockburn, and other gentlemen 

 connected with literature and science. The hotel-keeper at whose 

 establishment the club were in the habit of dining was well acquainted 

 •with the habits of those who were present, and stated next day, when 

 he presented the bill, how much he was surprised at the amount 

 of wine taken on this occasion. This, at least, was the point that 

 principally attracted his attention. After providing rather more than 

 a good average supply, he had to send a carriage for more, and again, 

 as the evening advanced, he had to send a second time for further 

 supplies. The dining room at his hotel was not then, at least, 

 ventilated, and gas and vitiated air from respiration soon satisfied 

 the appetite. But in a room supplied with a large and flowing stream 

 of air, the natural powers of the constitution were not subdued, and, 

 what is curious, none of those present were at all aware that they had 

 taken anything unusual till they were informed of it next day. Many 

 is the unrefreshing meal and subdued appetite that destroys the 

 strength of the constitution in apartments loaded with the vapor of 

 respiration and exhalation. Travellers, and, indeed, all persons, 

 should be charged only half fare when they partake of refreshments 

 in an ill-ventilated apartment. 



If one wishes to see and study the practical importance of this 

 question, let him go to ill-ventilated boarding-houses, schools, mili- 

 neries, manufactories, and refreshment rooms, particularly in the 

 crowded localities of large cities, and he will there trace one of the 

 causes of impaired health which affects great numbers of the popu- 

 lation. So thoroughly is this now understood in many places, that 

 cases have been cited where workmen have struck for more wages 

 in newly ventilated manufactories; the proprietors not perceiving that 

 they could, in general, obtain an equivalent value from the exertions 

 of those who were in better health and strength than the ventilation 

 previously permitted. 



Diagrams were then pointed out illustrative of the general mode of 

 dealing with the ventilation of large buildings, special reference being 

 made to the houses of Parliament, in London, and to St. George's 

 Hall, at Liverpool. 



