FAINTING IN CHURCH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2344, 21 September 1880, Page 2

FAINTING IN CHURCH.

It scorns strange at first sight (says the “ Lancet ”), but not at all wonderful when wo come to look closely into the conditions and circumstances of the case, that fainting in church should be a frequent occurrence, and in some congregations even roach the proportions of an epidemic. There can be no question that the ventilation of main' chinches and places of worship, which are wont to be crowded is radically defective, and the vitiated atmosphere inevitably affects the weekly as a powerful depressant. This is a matter which requires attention. Medical officers of districts might bring more influence to bear on churchwardens and the wardens of chapels, that measures may he taken to receive the ingress of pure air without dranght’and escape of foul vapours. Meanwhile it cannot be doubted there is room for a little argument on this subject, and ministers might do well to remonstrate from the pulpit with congregations in which the “habit” of fainting is prevalent. In some of the chapels attached to lunatic asylums there are special apartments for the accommodation of epileptics who have “fits.” It would almost seem that in some churches and chapels there should he rooms set apart for the retirement of those who contemplate fainting.