Copy 1, Volume 1

The code of health and longevity. Or, A concise view, of the principles calculated for the preservation of health, and the attainment of long life... / By Sir John Sinclair.

  • Sir John Sinclair, 1st Baronet
Date:
1807
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The code of health and longevity. Or, A concise view, of the principles calculated for the preservation of health, and the attainment of long life... / By Sir John Sinclair. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    748/808 (page 736)
    , 436 9 {mpure:air 1s peculiarly inimical to the nervous system ; it relaxes and enfeebles the general habit, and increases the irritability of the body ; whereas, there is no means so like- ly to remove every complaint of. that nature, as to pay the greatest possible attention to the quality of the air ‘we breathe, both in the daytime and at night. One of the best means of introducing fresh air into a house, or purifying the air of any particular apartment, is by means of ventilators. ‘These were inyented by the cele- brated Dr Hales. This excellent contrivance consists of nothing but of small moveable wheels, made of brass or sheet iron, which are applied to some part of the window panes, and set in motion by the pressure of the external air, But instead of using ventilators, Dx Adair recommends, that the casements of all public rooms, and indeed of \pri- vate houses, shall be constructed, so that the upper division shall slide down, and that a certain portion of them, ac- cording as the room is more or less crowded, be at least oc- casionally kept open. By thus promoting a free and constant circulation of air in every apartment, whether cecupied or not, the internal and external air becomes nearly of equal temperature ; ; the foul air, which is generated in close un- occupied chambers, and which adheres to the walls and fur- niture, will be carried off before it is accumulated 5. and the usual practice of airing rooms, by warming them with fires, and opening the windows, will be less, if atall, ne- cessary. ake , | It is proper, however, to observe *, that though pure air is * See Adair’s ] Medical Cautions, p. 62. where a case is described, which strongly tends ‘to pr ove the justness of these observations. Some recom~ mend ddmitting fresh air by means of Venetian blinds. ‘This is only cale culated for very hot climates. :