VENTILATION 123 



less quickly than an ordinary jet, and an incandescent 

 electric light is the most hygienic of all. Strange to 

 say, a candle makes the air impure more quickly 

 than any of the lights mentioned. Knowing these 

 facts, if we judge the atmosphere of a room must be 

 getting impure, we should ask to have some windows 

 opened. 



Lucky, indeed, shall we be, if some draught-timid 

 person does not object to the open windows before 

 the air has had a chance to purify itself. Surely, 

 where politeness compels us to forego trying to secure 

 proper ventilation, it is justifiable to be excused as 

 soon as possible from remaining in such air. At first 

 thought, this may seem too particular, but do we not 

 really owe it to our bodies to furnish them with fresh 

 air? When we accidentally get into the presence of 

 decaying animal matter that can be seen, we either 

 have it removed or go away ourselves as soon as pos- 

 sible. May not furnishing one's guests foul air to 

 breathe be even more inconsiderate than it would be 

 to serve decayed food to eat ? The latter they would 

 easily discover themselves and let alone, with only a 

 few disagreeable moments as a result. The former 

 may go undetected for an entire evening, and cause 

 hours of discomfort afterward. 



When officers of schools, churches, and other public 

 buildings realize that one of their most important 

 duties is to see that an abundant supply of clean, pure 

 air is furnished, it will be a great boon for all. It is, 



