Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1884 — Our Sleeping Rooms. [ARTICLE]

Our Sleeping Rooms.

A physician of note says, “wo hear a great talk about nlalaria no wadays, but there is no more malaria to be found in most modenn bedchambers than anywhere else.” Persons who are moderately intelligent ou other topics appear to have small thought, or that very perverted, on the subject of hygiene iu their sleeping rooms, and especially those occupied by children. The ventilation of a bedchamber cannot be too carefully attended to; and, as says Horace Mann, “seeing the atmosphere is forty- miles deep all around the globe, it is a useless piece of ecomomy to breathe it more than once.” Yet nine mothers out of ten carefully close all the windows, “for fear of colds and night air,” and leave two or three children to sleep in a stifling atmosphere, and see no connection between the cold and throat troubles they have, and the vitiated air she compels them to breathe night after night Let the morning air and sunshine ipto the bedrooms as soon as possible after the occupants have arisen; and if there is no sunshine, and it is not raining, let in the air. Do not make up beds too soorn after they are vacated. You may get your house tidied sooner, but it is neither cleanly nor healthful to snugly pack up bed clothing Until the exhalations of the sleepers’ bodies have been removed by exposure to the air. Look carefully after the wash-stand and the various utensils belonging thereto. The soap-dishes and toothbrush mugs cannot be kept to scrupulously clean. All slops and fo.ul water should be emptied very promptly. Wash out and sun all pitchers, glasses, and whatever vessels are used in the sleeping-room. Never allow water or stale boqueto of flowers to stand for days in the spare chamber after the departure of a guest. Towels that have been used should be promptly removed, and no soiled clothing allowed to hang or accumulate about the room. Closets opening into a sleeping appartment are often the receptacles of soiled clothes, shoes, etc., and become fruitful sources of bad air, particularly where there are small children. After such places the housewife should look with keen oye for objectionable articles, and remove them with an unsparing hand. I have encountered such closets, in which one might find all the odors traditionallybelonging to the city of Cologne—any one of which was enough to suggest ideas of disease-germs. Even so innocent a piece of furniture as the bureau, may by carelessness become the recipient of articles, which may taint the air of your bedchamber. Damp and combs and brushes are not only unsightly and disgusting, but lying soiled and unaired from day to day, will certainly contribute to evil air and odors, as will also greasy and highly scented hair ribbons, etc. Never lay freshly laundried c’othes upon the bed; nor air the same in your bedroom, if possible to so elsewhere. Do not hesitate to light afire on cold mornings and evenings; and if so fortunate as to have an open fire-place, you possess agrandmeanß of Comfort and ventilation in the bedchamber.— Lucy Randolph Fleming, in Amei'icanAgriculturist.