Helps to health : the habitation, the nursery, the school-room, and the person, with a chapter on pleasure and health resorts

Front matter

( Tf

The Equitable Life Assurance Society

OFJITHE UNITED STATES,

Chapter I.— The Nursery

Arrangement — Floors — Walls — Choice of Colours for Walls — Ventilation — W arming — Cubic Space — Lighting — Furniture — Play - things — Rules for Nursery — Sleep — Exercise — Baths and Bathing — Teething — Diseases of Children— Vaccination and Re-Vaccination — Dress in the Nursery — Cleanliness in Clothing— Diet of Infants and Young Children — Artificial Human Milk — General Remarks on Children’s Food — Times of Meals — Cleanliness in Feeding — Other General Rules — Mr Ruskin on Nurseries .......

Chapter Ii.— The School

Principles of Education’ — School Hours — Dress — Food — Play — Sleep — Eyesight — School Desks and Seats — Schoolroom — Medical Hints— Evils of Cramming . . .

CHAPTER., III.— CARE OF THE PERSON.

Necessity for Cleanliness — Soap — Cosmetics — Cold Bath — Warm and Tepid Baths — Hot Bath — Douche Bath — Shower Bath — Needle Bath — Vapour Bath — Plot Air Bath — Turkish Bath— Russian Bath— Sea Bathing — Bath Room — Public Baths — The Hair — Essentials of Clothing — Materials for Clothing — Colour and

PASES

ix, x

VI

CONTENTS.

PACKS

Shape of Clothing — The Corset— Boots — Garters — Petticoats — Comforters — Poisonous Colours in Clothing — Infection— General Buies in Clothing — The Ear — The Eye — Respirators — The Voice — The Teeth . . . . . 48 to 73

Chapter Iv.— Food And Drink

Object of Food — Quantity necessary— Digestion — Animal Foods — Vegetable Foods — Cooking — Times of Meals — General Hints on Food — Action of Alcohol— Is the Habitual Use of Alcohol desirable — Quantity of Alcohol permissible — Beer and Stout —

Wines — Spirits —Liqueurs — Tea — Coffee — Cocoa— Tobacco 74 to 95

Chapter V.-work, Rest, Exercise, And Recreation

Effects of Overwork — Excitement and Worry— Recreation— Effects of Exercise— Necessity for Exercise — Amount of Exercise required— Rules on Exercise — Sleep— Amount required — Rules on Sleep — Relative Healthiness of Professions and Occupations —

Sea-Side Holidays . . . . . . 96 to 109

Chapter Vi.— The Choice Of A House

Importance of Care in selection — Locality — Situation —Neighbours to be avoided — Aspect — Soil — Water Supply in Town and Country— Wells — Rain Water — Warnings to intending Householders ........ 110 to 118

Chapter Vii.— The Structure Of The House

Dangers of Unwholesome Houses — Law as to Stability and Sanitary Condition of Houses — Sub-soil — Prevention of Dry Rot— Prevention of Damp Walls — Roof — Drainage — Disposal of Sewage — Cesspools— Ventilation of Drains— Disconnection of House Drains from Sewers and Cesspools — Ventilation of Soil-pipes and Waste-pipes — Evils of Jerry Building . . . 119 to 189

CONTENTS.

Vll

Chapter Viii.—1 The Interior Arrangements Of The House

PAGE

Distribution of Rooms — Windows — Stoves — Grates — Hot Water

Service — Baths — Sinks — Water-Closets — Cisterns — Filters 140 to 151

Choice of Colours for Walls, . . . pages 2-4.

Chapter Ix.— Ventilation, Warming, And Lighting

V entilation — Objects to be aimed at — Carbonic Acid— Tests of Impure Air in Rooms — Admission and Distribution of Fresh Air in Rooms — Situation of Fresh and Foul Air Flues —Draughts in Chimneys — Smoky Chimneys — Cubic and Superficial Space — Open Fires — Hot Air Furnaces — Steam Heating— Hot Water Heating — Ventilation Appliances — Gas — Electric Lighting 152 to 172

Chapter X.— Matte In The Wrong Place

Dust in Living Rooms — Dust-Bins — Removal of Refuse — Dry Methods of Disposal of Excreta — Dry Earth System — Pail System — Middens — Slop Water — Disinfection . . 173 to 179

Chapter Xi.— Health Resorts

Bracing Climates — Exciting Climates — Relaxing Climates — Sedative Climates — Mineral Waters — Chalybeate W aters — Saline Aperient Waters — Sulphurous Waters — Alkaline Waters — Places suitable for particular Ailments — The Water Cure — Theory of Hydropathy— Mineral Baths— The Milk Cure — The Grape Cure 180 to 204

Chapter Xii.— Sanitary Powers And Duties Of The Citizen

Nuisances— Inspectors of Nuisances — Duties of Local Authority as to Nuisances — Powers of Entry on Premises — Defaulting Authority — Special Insanitary Conditions and their Remedies — Infectious Diseases — Other Nuisances — Exceptions and Explanation* ....... 205 to 220 vm

CONTENTS.

Chapter Xiii.— Urban Sanitary Officials

page

Names and Addresses of Sanitai’y Officials in Metropolis, and of the Sanitary Inspectors of every Urban Sanitary District in England and Wale* ....... 221 to 243

Alphabetic.*!. Ihdex . . . . . . 245 to 249

APPENDIX,

Containing Detailed Particulars as to certain Hospitals, Institutions,

Foods, and other Articles ..... 251 to 273

Introduction

Only a few words appear to be necessary in introducing this little book to the public. In the course of a pretty long experience in a variety of capacities, it has often happened to the author to require some plain and simple handbook in which the main principles of hygiene could be found, unencumbered with the technicalities by which professed sanitarians too often obscure their meaning. Nor, despite the flood of literature upon the subject of health, which has been provoked by the recent International Exhibition at South Kensington, has the admitted desideratum been quite met of a comprehensive and yet easily understandable textbook on the general laws of personal and public health.

It may scarcely be credited, but it is none the less undoubtedly a fact, that no book yet published contains, in a handy form, the information which an ordinary person can desire to know about health and all that affects it. The aim of this book, therefore, is to give, with sufficient amplitude, but in the fewest possible words, precise information concerning matters which affect the health and comfort of every class, from childhood to old age. The classification and arrangement of the various subjects treated have been carefully thought out, and, for further help to the reader, an exhaustive index has been added. It is believed that anyone who desires to know what he can do to promote his own and his family’s health, as well as that of his neighbour, will find that thi»,

X

INTRODUCTION.

the second volume of the “Help Series,” contains just the kind of information he requires, in the briefest and simplest language. At any rate this has been the aim of its author, and if experience proves that this object has been attained, he will be more than satisfied. To be useful, interesting, and reliable is the mission which this volume is published to fulfil.

In the compilation of the present work, the author has enjoyed the co-operation of several friends, experts in their different departments. Amongst these willing helpers he desires especially to name Mr G. H. Percival, M.B. Lond., Senior Surgeon to the Northampton General Infirmary, who has contributed many of the medical details which appear in the course of the book; Mr Keith D. Young, Architect to the London Fever Hospital, who has written upon matters dealing with the structure and internal fittings of houses; Surgeon- General Moore, C.S.I., who has collected together many interesting and valuable particulars on . the subject of Health Resorts ; and Surgeon-Major Billings, M.D., of the United States Army, from whose published utterances most of the information concerning ventilation and steam and hot-water heating has been derived.

It remains only to add that the author’s object has been throughout to make the book as concise and practical as possible, and that any suggestions for improvement will be at all times gratefully welcomed by him.

The Lodge, Porchester Square, London, W.

ERRATUM.

On page 2, line 6, for “comprising” read “compromising

Chapter I. The Nursery

This part of the work is intended to deal only with such points as may conduce to the health and well-being of the child without reference to illness, which has no proper place in this book. At the very commencement we are met with the difficulty that it is very easy indeed to say what ought to be, but in many cases impossible to carry out the advice given. Thus, taking as a model the most recent work on home hygiene that has appeared, it might be said : — “ The dayroom should be a quiet cheerful room apart . . . with double doors ... a sunny aspect, large low windows, a cheerful prospect, and possibly a separate entrance or ready means of going out of doors. The bed-rooms near together, and near to the chief family room, should make a system of their own, with clothes-room or nurse’s-room, dressing-room, bath-room, and closet or scullery attached. A separate staircase is always a convenience, &c., &c.” Or again, quoting from another recent work: — “Gas lights should never be admitted into a nursery or play room. . . . The typical light would be the incandescent electric light of Edison.” The writer, however, acknowledges the impracticability of his plan, and allows for the present the use of Colza oil or candles. Surely there is too much nonsense talked about these things now-a-days. Has any one ever entered a nursery which would fulfil all the abovo requirements 1 The best arrangements should certainly be indicated, but it ought further to be shown how far

HELPS TO HEALTH.

the different details were essential, and what modifications could be permitted to suit the numerous and varied circumstances of each case. Throughout this work such is the object sought to be attained, and it is hoped that the various recommendations may be found practicable, useful, and efficient, whilst not comprising in any respect the essential laws of hygiene.

Arrangement of the Nurseries. — The old division into day and night nursery is still the best and most practicable. They should be within easy access of each other, and preferably with a passage between them to admit of their total separation for the purpose of efficient alternate ventilation. For many reasons the top floor is the most convenient for these rooms. They are then away from the kitchen and from the occupants of the ground floor, and the noise inseparable from healthy children is more distant from the business part of the house. A north aspect must be avoided, but for the night nursery an aspect due south is not altogether desirable, as in summer-time — when the children go to bed in the middle of the day — the room is apt to get very hot and uncomfortable. A small gate with a fastening should protect the head of the stairs. A bath-room, separate closets, &c., may be added, but cannot be regarded as essential, especially as the great majority even of recently built houses are not provided with the luxury of a bath-room.

Floors. — Polished floors are out of question in the nursery ; they will occasion frequent tumbles, and the noise from the children’s play will be at times unbearable. Linoleum is about the best covering, though it is expensive. It has, however, the great advantage of being easily cleaned, pieces of carpet and hearthrugs are dangerous, and at all times harbour dust and dirt.

Walls. — For many reasons it is desirable that the walls of the night nursery should be simply coloured. The colouring

WALL DECORATION.

is so easily renewed every year, and is so inexpensive that the room can be thoroughly purified after any outbreak of infectious disease without much call on the pocket. If a simple colour is thought too plain, it may be varied by a light colour above and a dark one below, with a stencil plate picked out in colour between the two. This is rather more expensive, but looks, very tasteful. For the day nursery there are so many good ideas at the present day that only a few of the best can be noted. It may be premised that no paint and no paper should be used except it is varnished.

(1.) The upper part of the wall may be coloured, and a dado of scraps may be pasted on the wall below and then sized and varnished. Some use only coloured scraps, whilst many cut out the pictures from the illustrated papers. These form an endless source of amusement and instruction to the children. (2.) Or the upper part may be painted and varnished with the same dado. (3.) Very good nursery papers are now sold, the pattern ±n which consists of small squares, and each square has in it an illustration of some nursery rhyme or well-known . child’s picture. These, sized and varnished, are very amusing. (4.) The walls of the day nursery may be coloured as the night nursery with stencil pattern, &c., or paint may be used in the same way and then varnished. Two coats of paint with two coats of varnish will last for years, and may be periodically cleaned with carbolic acid and water. One word about the ceiling. This is invariably whitewashed ; if coloured with French grey, or a good blue, however, it looks much better, and is less fatiguing to the eye. The doors, cupboard-doors, skirtingboards, and the like, may be painted and varnished. They are generally very tame and uninteresting. The following arrangement has been under the writer’s notice, and is a vast improvement to a room. The upper small panels of the doors and cupboards were filled in with oleographs and gilt-beading

HELPS TO HEALTH.

round the edge of the panel. The larger panels had large Japanese pictures cut so as to just fill the panel. They are very inexpensive, may be pasted on by the lady of the house in a very short time, and aid greatly to brighten the nursery. As to pictures for the walls, those out of the Christmas numbers of the various illustrated papers are much the most amusing for children. The ordinary black and gold frames are the nicest, and are as inexpensive as any. Where all papers are varnished, there will be no danger from the unlooked-for choice of an arsenical Avail paper, and this, except the paper is tested, is the only safeguard. Contrary to the general opinion, the colour is no criterion, for arsenic enters into the composition of a large percentage of all wall papers of the present day,

Choice of Colours for the Walls. — In colouring the walls and ceilings of a nursery much must be left to individual taste ; and too close an adherence to the principles of the decorator’s art need not be insisted on. At the same time it is desirable that no very glaring defiance of the laws of colour should, be permitted. Early impressions are often lasting. There is not one of us, Avho can let memory take him back to his childhood days, who does not recall the pleasing or terrible ideas which were associated with some object seen in our nursery or playroom. Perhaps it was the graceful lines and correct proportions of some old cabinet, sent to the nursery or attic because it was not good enough for any other room, that we still think of with pleasure. Or it may be the curious specimens of carving on the four-post bedstead, which our young minds converted into the horrible faces of a tormenting fiend, as Ave opened our eyes in the early daAvn. Let, therefore, the surroundings of the developing intellect be always true, and in such things truth is almost synonymous with beauty.

We have already said the ceilings of nurseries ought to be

WALL DECORATION.

coloured blue or French grey in preference to white, which latter is of all colours or no-colours the worst for the purpose, and should be universally discarded. The difference which this one thing will make to the appearance, and comfort, and beauty of a room is almost incredible, and when once adopted there is no likelihood of its being abandoned. A blue-green ceiling nearly always looks well, and it will be a further improvement, especially when there is no cornice, to have a paper margin, a few inches wide, having a ground colour of a slightly darker shade than the ceiling, and running through it a floral or classical design with various shades of brown, red, secondary green, and blue. Paper centre-pieces can now be got for a few shillings each, and they give a look of completeness and finish to the ceiling, being often as decorative as the plaster “ ornaments and enrichments ” are ugly. It is well to choose one having buff and gold among its colours, and primary red in very small quantities.

It will be asked, “ But what will harmonize with this ceiling ? ” One of the best and simplest wall colourings would be a light orange, and for the woodwork, an Indian-red picked out with black; or preferably a dado of dark Indian-red, with doors and shutters of bronze green. A cream ceiling with pale turquoise wall and orange-red dado go well together, especially if the woodwork be dark olivegreen. A dark blue dado with pale salmon wall and rather light blue ceiling does not look amiss, although somewhat common. The dado should be enriched with maroon-brown and yellow, and the ceiling ought to have a white or cream stencil pattern around the margin, with a very narrow line of vermilion on the white. A Yenetian-red dado with a band of tertiary olive on which is a stencil pattern of lighter olive, blue and red, with the rest of the wall a tertiary olive of a greenish tint, would be another combination, and in

HELPS TO HEALTH.

this case the ceiling had better be papered, a pattern being chosen in which orange and gold are somewhat prominent.

Should there be a cornice in the room it may be picked out with the three primary colours. If the blue look too blue it has been recommended, as the space in the moulding cannot possibly be increased, to modify the effect by putting more orange in the yellow, and more scarlet in the red. So if the yellow- seem too prominent, alter the red to crimson, and give the blue a slightly purplish tinge. The primary colours must always be separated by a line of white, and we should remember that when a light and a dark colour are placed together, the light appears lighter and the dark darker.

Below the cornice a very pretty and cheap frieze about fifteen or twenty inches deep may be made with stripes of one of the nursery papers already referred to. A great variety of these papers can be had almost anywhere, and there should be no difficulty in choosing one to harmonize with the rest of the room. From the lower edge of the frieze border the pictures ought to be hung so that the cords are not seen interfering with the design of the frieze, whatever it may be. This treatment of the upper part of the wall has the advantage of presenting a pleasing variety, at the same time that it leaves the lower part to be finished in plain paint or distemper admitting of frequent renewal, a course often necessary for reasons we have already named.

The above are only a few of the more simple methods of treating the walls and ceilings of our nurseries, and the expense of any of them is very trifling. Unfortunately the great majority of house-painters have no notion whatever of choosing or arranging the shades of colour for a room, and consequently not a little trouble has to be incurred by those who employ them. It is, however, time well spent. There can be no better investment than the time we bestow on

VENTILATION AND WARMING OF THE NURSERY. 7 anything that conduces to the happiness or comfort of “ the children.”

Ventilation and Warming. — These matters in their general relations are more fully dealt with in a subsequent chapter (IX.); but the following details could scarcely be omitted from a chapter which deals exhaustively with points affecting health in the nursery. Ventilation and warming must be considered together, as the one depends to a very great extent on the other. The windows and chimneys must be looked upon as the chief sources for the change of air in a room. The windows should always reach to the ceiling, and if they do not do so, Sheringham valves opening inwards should be inserted just under the ceiling, with an Arnott’s or Boyle’s valve opening into the chimney flue, or another Sheringham valve in the opposite outside wall. It is at the top of the room that all the heated foul air accumulates from gas-burners, &c., and great care should be taken in ventilating this part. An open fireplace only is admissible for the warming of the nursery ; its use as a ventilator is too great to allow of its abolition. It may be usefully combined with a warm air-chamber and flues ; and, in fact, some such system should always be followed in building new nurseries . The true principle to follow is to admit fresh warm air instead of cold into a room, thus obviating some of the numerous causes of draught. Other accessory sources of ventilation may be added at the fancy of the individual, such as vertical tubes, a ventilator in the centre of the ceiling leading to the outside air, or the simple and common plan of nailing a piece of wood under the bottom window sash, so that it does not quite shut, which allows a stream of air to enter, directed upwards between the two sashes. . .

Cubic Space. — As regards the amount of cubic space that should be allowed for each child, it has been put by some authors as high as 800 cubic feet. This, however, in practice

HELPS TO HEALTH.

is found to be far too high, though, of course, where new nurseries are being built, and space is unlimited, there will be a great advantage in this allowance. Dr. Parkes informs us that the cubic space allowed for soldiers is 600 cubic feet, and he allows for children 2000 cubic feet of air per head per hour, as against 8000 for adults, leaving it to be inferred that 400 cubic feet of space should be allowed for each child. If possible, this should be insisted upon, but there can be no doubt that many nurseries are much more cramped even than this. Amongst the lower classes, in cases of overcrowding, magistrates refuse to convict unless the air space is less than 200 cubic feet for adults. The London School Board allow only 130 to 117 cubic feet for each child, but this is decidedly too low, and dangerous to health. Taking, then, 400 cubic feet as necessary for children, and 600 for an adult, a room 16 feet long, 10 wide, and 9 feet high will suffice for a nurse and two children. When the children are out for their walk let the window's be thrown open top and bottom, and shut shortly before their return. The bedroom window should never be quite shut at the top, except in very cold weather ; in fact, some people insist on their children sleeping with it open even in winter. It is a great mistake to imagine that night air is dangerous to children. As a matter of fact, in towns the night air is the purest.

Lighting. — In spite of numerous objections, gas is the common way in the present day of lighting rooms, and, notwithstanding all that may be said against this system, it will probably still be used. The fact is, that there are so many advantages in using gas that they quite outweigh its disadvantages, and, with proper precautions, it does no harm. It is convenient, always ready for immediate use, out of reach of the children, and not liable to be pulled over by them and upset (as in the case of lamps and candles). There are now, too, so many plans for carrying off the products of combustion

LIGHTING AND FURNITURE OF THE NURSERY. 9

A

that gas is practically harmless. The most simple plan is to have a large bell glass over the globe, which opens at the top into a short, wide tube, leading into the chimney. This small apparatus can be fitted into any chimney for the trifling sum of 15s., and answers admirably. In this arrangement the gas must be placed over or near the fireplace. If it is desired to have it in the centre of the room, however, there are now numerous arrangements for carrying off the products of combustion by a flue through the ceiling, the gas being burnt in a globe communicating with this flue, so that no difficulty should arise in practically rendering gas harmless for nurseries. In country houses it is a case of Hobson’s choice, and lamps or candles must be used. In the event of the former being chosen, Colza oil should be preferred to paraffin on account of the absence of smell and of its noninflammability.

Furniture. — There should be no useless curtains and bedhangings to obstruct the air, and cupboards built into recesses in the walls are preferable to chests of drawers, as they do not harbour dust and dirt. There should be no unnecessary cupboards, but, as far as practicable, clothes, linen, &c., should be stored in a separate room. This must depend greatly on the size of the house and the number of children. Things used daily are most conveniently kept close at hand. Practically, cupboards will be required for clothes, linen, and a certain amount of crockery ; a separate one should be provided for the children’s playthings, and a small locked one for the safe keeping of poisonous or dangerous articles, as medicines, knives, &c. A high fender fastened by a hook to the sides of the fireplace is necessary to protect from burning, but the children should be taught never to throw things on the fire. The bedsteads and cots should be made of iron, and those cots are to be preferred in which the sides are made of close work, not bars. Children often get their arms or feet

HELPS TO HEALTH.

through the bars, and, in their ignorance of how to release themselves, may give their joints a serious twist or sprain. There must be a table in the day nursery for meals, with a drawer in the centre for the tablecloth. When the child first sits up to meals, the ordinary cane-bottomed chair with a high seat and a stick to prevent it from falling, may be used. As it gets older, the choice of a good chair is more important. It should be high and straight at the back, with a narrow seat, so that the spine may be supported, and the child may not sit in a heap with its spine curved. The mattresses must be made of horse hair. When sheets are used, calico ones are to be preferred, as they are warmer and less expensive than linen. For keeping the infant’s food hot when it requires feeding in the night, the following is a very simple plan : — When the nurse retires for the night she boils the milk and puts it into the bottle — previously made quite hot ; the bottle is then corked, wrapped in thick brown paper, and then in a flannel folded several times, both the flannel and the paper being previously warmed. This is then put at the head of the nurse’s bed, under the pillow, when it is ready for use immediately, and will keep hot for at least six hours. Other means of heating the food at night are (1) by means of a bracket over the gas-burner in a small saucepan; (2) if there is no gas, by means of one of the small spirit-lamp tins known as Etnas. There must be a separate cot for each child, and, for the purposes of ventilation, there must be an open chimney in the night nursery, always kept open, even when there is no fire.

Other articles of furniture call for no comment.

Playthings. — These should be harmless, should tend to secure proper exercise for the child, and should combine instruction with amusement as the child gets older. Under the first head all the common tin toys now made, and all playthings

GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE NURSERY.

painted with bright and dangerous colours, which children are apt to suck, must be condemned. Wooden bricks, wooden and india-rubber animals, and dolls, are safe. To secure exercise, balls, hoops, the French boat, the rocking horse, tricycle horse, a swing, and the like, are recommended. Picture alphabets, puzzles, and things which help to instruct the child after the Kindergarten system, can with advantage be gradually and almost imperceptibly added.

General Directions. — Regularity is the first principle to be .strictly followed in the nursery. This is especially the case with feeding, but applies to other details. The child may be made almost an automaton in this respect, looking for and enjoying its regular routine of life, and flourishing greatly thereby if it is arranged on a proper system. On the other hand, if a child is accustomed to take its meals at irregular times, or to have tit-bits of divers sorts between meals, it will be continually expecting such luxuries, and will fret if they be not forthcoming, whilst the regular meals will be neglected. The same rule applies to walks and amusements. Children should be taught to play with and amuse each other, and not continually to look to their elders to provide them with games. If the weather is bad, so that they cannot get out of doors, they will become fretful and require some extra amusement : otherwise a well brought up child will amuse itself for hours with the most trifling toys, whilst another under the same circumstances will be a nuisance to itself and all about it. So, again, it is necessary to insist that the nurse shall not argue with and contradict her charges. It is astonishing how easy it is to lead and divert the attention of a child, and this plan must always be followed or permanent injury will be done to its temper. Unless a nurse possesses this necessary tact she is worse than useless, and should be at once dismissed.