Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1893 — Cold Walls. [ARTICLE]

Cold Walls.

Sanitary and hygienic principles are rapidly making almost complete changes in our modern houses, and everything from garret to cellar is being overhauled aud viewed in the light of science. All of this work means better living, healthier and stronger bodies, and more enjoyment in this world. The improvement may be slow but there is a steady bettering of our surroundings through all this endeavor. One thing that needs attending to in most houses next to the question of a dry cellar is to look at the walls and see if they are cold or warm ones. In wooden houses this is not so essentinl, but stone and brick ones are very apt to have cold, damp walls inside that send a chill all through the house. Walls that face upon the north or west side of the house become so cold and damp in winter shat they are a constant menace to the health of the occupants. The walls are not only cold, but they are damp and moist. If an article of clothing is hung upon them it will get quite moist in the course of a few hours. Such houses have the plastering done right on the brick or stone, and as these latter hold moisture all through the winter, it soaks right into the wall. This was a common way to build the old-fashioned stone and brick houses, and many are the same to-day. It is really as much as one’s life is worth to live in those houses through the winter. The remedy is simple. ' Tear down the old wall and put up laths and do the plastering on them, or if this is too expensive nail laths right on the old wall, and have a second wall made over them. The dampness of the house will be cured almost immediately. —[Yankee Blade.