Transactions of the Session of the American Institute of Hom Opathy Volume 32 (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. 1880 Excerpt: ... XIV. WARMING OUR HOMES. By D. H. Brcrwith, M.D., Cleveland, Ohio. The warming and ventilating of our homes are subjects that should be studied conjointly. As I considered the subject of "ventilation" in my paper presented to the Institute in 1878, I now present the " warming" of our homes. In olden times a fire was built in the middle of a house, and the smoke allowed to find its way out through a hole in the roof. Since that time many plans and devices for warming dwellings have been in use; some have been healthful and economical, some dangerous and expensive, and some have been productive of disease and death. Evidently the best plan for warming our homes should be the simplest, most inexpensive, and one practical for all classes of society. The average temperature of the body in our climate is about 98.4 Fahr. The temperature of the atmosphere, on an average, in Cleveland during the year is about 55.6 Fahr. Our bodies are constantly generating heat and, cceteri-s paribus, they usually remain at about the same temperature; and when, from any cause, the temperature is increased or decreased we feel uncomfortable. There are certain circumstances which influence the heat of our bodies. Active exercise bringing into action our muscles, raises the temperature, while mental exertion, if long continued, lessens it. Exposure to cold without physical exercise lowers the temperature of the body. Directly after a meal, or a drink of ardent spirits, the temperature is lessened. Changes in the weather from hot to cold or cold to hot changes the temperature of our bodies to a certain extent. The maximum temperature is clearly ascertained to be in the morning on awakening, and is lowest about midnight. JTcat is given off from the body by direct radiation from its surf...