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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5473, 11 October 1878, Page 4

Those whose business compels them to attend in the galleries of the House of Representatives must have noticed the close and oppressive atmosphere that at times pervades the building. While they complain of the discomfort, and say hard things of the architect who omitted to provide an efficient plan of, ventilating the chamber, it is quite likely that they are often oblivions or ignorant of the harm that ensnes from a neglect of the laws that are so essential to the health of those whose duties oblige them to remain for many hours in an impure atmosphere. Because some few of those who are exposed to its influence apparently suffer no ill effects, it is assumed for the most part that no harm is done. Those who have given attention to the subject know that this is not the case ; and in the hope that something may be done to remedy the evil referred to, we make the following short extracts from a work that has reached its sixteenth edition—“ Dr. Coombe’s Principles of Physiology." The first case we will refer to is one of a house called the “Barrack” at Glasgow, which had on an average about 480 inhabitants. During the last two months of 1831 there were no less than 57 cases of fever in the building, and at one time fever was never absent from it. Early in 1832 a simple tin tube was led from the ceiling of each room into a neighboring furnace. In consequence, during the ensuing eight years, laying aside one year during which the ventilation was not attended to, there were only 4 cases of fever. In another place he says:—“ln the early years of convict transportation it was the practice of the Government to pay for all who embarked. Under this system the average mortality of convicts was 1 in 10, rising under some circumstances to 1 in 3. When the practice of paying only for those landed alive was adopted, the mortality immediately fell to lin 46. After numerous other instances, perhaps more applicable, though less startling, than those given, Dr. Uoornbo goes on to say ; “ In pointing out how typhus, scrofula, consumption, aud cholera follow in the wake of deficient ventilation, we do not mean to assert that by living in an unventilated apartment a person can produce typhus, cholera, or consumption at will; what we maintain is that breathing an impure atmosphere lowers the tone of the system, aud readers it liable to disease. . . . The influence of impure air is not the less positive or ultimately leas subversive of health from being slow and insidious in its progress." The Turningto modern authorities, the July number of the “ London Quarterly Review,” in speaking of pure air, says : “ Few of us, perhaps; realise the importance of the meal of oxygen we are constantly, though unconsciously, taking into our lungs. It is as necessary for life as the more sensuous part of our food. . . . Continued exposure to bad air always tends to’ lower the tone of the body, and renders it more susceptible to any contagion to which it may accidentally become exposed. It may be reckoned as one of tbo most common and sure predisposing causes of disease." Dr. Richardson, in his “ Diseases of Modern Life,” says : “ Many of the moat intensely developed examples of pulmonary consumption are induced in this manner,” i.c., by exposure to the impure air of badly ventilated chambers. And many other authorities might be quoted to the same effect. The plentiful admission of pure air, directed towards the ceiling through perforated bricks, is the first main requisite. If the fresh air can bo warmed on its way into the building, it may be admitted near the floor. The second essential condition is ample provision tor the exit of foul, air also near the ceiling. In the House of Representatives, we believe, larger openings into the gaslight in the ceiling would go far to remove the existing discomfort. Mr. Wakefield called attention to the state of the atmosphere during a late sitting of the House a short time ago. Upon a crowded night a glance at the faces of the occupants of the strangers’ gallery will convince any person that the facts justify the reform demanded. When the atmosphere on the floor of the House is bad, in the galleries it is very ranch worse, and this must be our excuse for having treated the subject at some length. ;