430
Selected Messages Book 2
diseases have been brought on by sleeping in these fashionable health-
destroying apartments. Every family that prizes health above the empty
applause of fashionable visitors, will have a circulation of air, and an
abundance of light through every apartment of their houses for several
hours each day. But many will follow fashion so closely, they become
slaves to it, and would suffer sickness, and even death, rather than be
out of fashion. They will reap that which they have sown. They will
live fashionably, and suffer with diseases as the result, be doctored
with fashionable poisons, and die fashionable deaths.
Sleeping rooms especially should be well ventilated, and the at-
mosphere made healthy by light and air. Blinds 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.
Many families suffer with sore throat, and lung diseases, and liver
complaints, brought upon them by their own course of action. Their
sleeping rooms are small, unfit to sleep in for one night, but they
occupy the small apartments for weeks, and months, and years. They
keep their windows and doors closed, fearing they would take cold
if there was a crevice open to let in the air. They breathe the same
air over and over, until it becomes impregnated with the poisonous
impurities, and waste matter, thrown off from their bodies, through
[463]
the lungs, and the pores of the skin. Such can test the matter, and be
convinced of the unhealthy air in their close rooms, by entering them
after they have remained a while in the open air. Then they can have
some idea of the impurities they have conveyed to the blood, through
the inhalations of the lungs. Those who thus abuse their health, must
suffer with disease. All should regard light and air as among Heaven’s
most precious blessings. They should not shut out these blessings as
though they were enemies.
Sleeping apartments should be large and so arranged as to have a
circulation of air through them, day and night. Those who have ex-
cluded the air from their sleeping rooms, should commence to change
their course immediately. They should let in air by degrees, and in-
crease its circulation until they can bear it winter and summer, with
no danger of taking cold. The lungs, in order to be healthy, must have
pure air.