Seite 91 - Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene (1890)

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General Hygiene
87
Importance of Pure Air
Some invalids refuse to be convinced of the great importance of
having a constant supply of pure air. For fear of taking cold, they
willfully persist in living from year to year in an atmosphere almost
destitute of vitality. It is impossible for such to have a healthy cir-
culation. The skin is debilitated, and they become sensitive to any
change in the atmosphere. The first suggestion of cold brings out
additional clothing, and the heat of the room is increased. The next
day they require a little more heat, and a little more clothing, in order
to feel perfectly warm, and thus they humor every changing feeling
until they have but little vitality left. If those who can, would engage in
some active employment, instead of adding to their clothing or raising
the temperature of an already overheated room, they would generally
forget their chilly sensations, and would receive no harm. For feeble
lungs, an overheated atmosphere is very injurious.
Winter is a season to be dreaded by those who are obliged to
be with these invalids. It is not only winter out-of-doors, but dreary
in-doors. Under the plea that the air affects their lungs and head,
these victims of a diseased imagination shut themselves up in the
house, and close the windows. They expect to take cold from the
least exposure, and they do. “Have we not proved it?” they will argue,
and no amount of reasoning can make them believe that they do not
understand the philosophy of the whole matter. It is true that they do
take cold when exposed; but it is because their course has made them
as tender as babies, and they cannot endure anything. Yet they live on
with windows and doors closed, hovering over the stove, and enjoying
their misery. Why will not such try the effect of judicious out-door
[104]
exercise?
Many have been taught that night air is positively injurious to
health, and therefore must be excluded from their rooms. One autumn
evening I was traveling in a crowded car. The exhalations from so
many lungs and bodies rendered the atmosphere very impure, and
caused a sickening sensation to come over me. I raised my window,
and was enjoying the fresh air, when a lady in earnest, imploring tones,
cried out, “Do put down that window! You will take cold and be
sick; the night air is so unhealthful!” I replied, “Madam, we have no
other air than night air, in this car or out of it. If you refuse to breathe