The Sanitarian Volume 43 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ...higher than among those outside. The first danger in schoolrooms, then, is inspired air, but it must be outside of the insufficient oxygen, the carbon dioxide and the organic poisons. The various sources of dust, dirty shoes, books, clothes, chalk, make the second danger. They carry the micro-organisms. In a public school there were found from thirty to one hundred microorganisms per cubic metre of air. The number of organisms in the air is not dependent upon the absolute number of organisms in the place, but upon conditions; the stirring and settling of the dust.. One pupil breathes over 44,000 micro-organisms during the five hours' stay in the schoolroom. As to the causes of these micro-organisms, first the position of schoolhouse. The higher and freer the location will make them less. The number depends on the ventilation and cleanliness. Care in cleaning and keeping clean the room should he taken. Cleanliness in the children has a great deal to do with it. It was found that the number stood in relation to the age of the children, being greatest for younger children. Most of the micro-organisms are harmless, but many of them may be pathological. A large per cent, of the children may be in a weakened and diseased condition, and many may be more susceptible to disease. Hence the danger from these micro-organisms. Another danger is from the various sources of bad odors, from cloths and bodies of occupants, from decaying teeth of school children. It is shown that a large per cent, of the school children have decadent teeth. It is impossible to have pure air when there are so many decaying teeth, without proper attention. The heating apparatus is a source of danger. The chief trouble seems to be in over-heating, and in many cases there is escape of...