[Report 1920] / School Medical Officer of Health, Salop / Shropshire County Council.

  • Shropshire (England). County Council.
Date:
1920
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1920] / School Medical Officer of Health, Salop / Shropshire County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The beneficial effect of a well ventilated room is produced by the constant movement of a cool air over the bodies of the occupants. The effect is produced mostly on the bare parts of the skin, e.g., face and hands. It is a stimulating effect and is entirely different from the chilling produced by very cold stagnant air. The effect too on the mucous membranes of the nose and throat of cool dry air is most important to health. The constant aim should therefore be to produce a gentle movement of air in all parts of the class room. This can be accomplished, where the windows are properly placed and con¬ structed, by opening the windows suitably, by good separation of the scholars and removal of obstruction, if any, to the circulation of air. Satisfactory ventilation cannot be provided in school rooms in winter unless they are suitably warmed. If the warming is not sufficient, this should be put right. Open Windows.-—Reliance must be placed upon open windows for the ventilation of school¬ rooms. As it is the ‘ movement ' of air during occupation that is required, it is not sufficient to see that the windows are open during play hours. They should never under any circumstances be completely closed during occupation. With adequate ' cross ventilation,’ i.e., with windows properly spaced and properly con¬ structed, on two opposite sides of the school room, there should be no difficulty in obtaining good atmospheric conditions. The following directions have been drawn up for schools with cross ventilation and with sash windows with hoppers in front of the lower sash :— In order to use to the best advantage the means of ventilation provided, it is necessary to observe carefully the force and direction of the wind. The following points should be carefully observed : — 1. —In warm summer weather (and always during the interval for play) the top parts of all the windows should be fully open. In other weather the top windows should be open to seme extent if this can be done without unpleasant draughts. 2. —It may at times be necessary to depend entirely u] on the hoppers for ventilating the room. These hoppers are constructed so as to give an upward direction to the air and so prevent unpleasant draughts. 3. —Ail the hoppers on both sides of the room should always be open to some extent. The amount will depend upon the force and direction of the wind. 4. —The stronger the wind, the less the extent to which it is necessary to open the hoppers. With a very strong wind a very small opening will suffice. 5. —The hoppers on ihe side away from the wind should be open much more freely than those on the side facing the wind. In school rooms without cross ventilation and where the openings are inadequate, it will tax the teachers’ ingenuity to maintain a satisfactory atmosphere. The windows should be kept open so far as possible without causing actual distress, and children who complain readily of draughts and appear to suffer should be removed to more secluded positions in the room. When several children complain and they cannot be dealt with by removal to another part of the room, they should be allowed to v/ear their extra out-door clothing. The children should be educated to stand fresh air conditions. It will be found that intolerance to fresh air movements can be overcome by plenty of exercise in the open air with little clothing, and by the avoidance of overheated and ill-ventilated rooms. Children that have been through a course of open-air treatment at a sanatorium do not notice draughts. This teaching should apply to home as well as school life, and the importance of sleeping with bedroom windows open should be specially emphasised.