It requires but little imagination to understand
the condition of the atmosphere when there is no proper ventilation.
Now, what always astonished me was, that although the parlor might be crowded
with ladies and gentlemen, all the windows were, as a rule, kept closed,
with the result that the place was full of vitiated air.
Frequently after a short time I have had to slip away
when I would willingly have remained longer to enjoy the charming company.
If I had done so, however, I should have taken into my lungs
a large amount of the obnoxious atmosphere exhaled from
hundreds of other persons in the room, to the injury of my health,
and no one can give his fellows his best unless his health is hearty.
No wonder we often hear of a host or hostess being unwell
after a big function. Their feelings on the morning after
are often the reverse of "good-will to men", and the cause
is not a lowered moral heartiness but a weakened physical body
through breathing too much air exhaled from other people's lungs.
When man understands, he will make "good health" a religious duty.
In connection with this I quote Dr. J. H. Kellogg,
the eminent physician and Superintendent of the Battle Creek Sanitarium.
In his book, "The Living Temple"*, the doctor speaks as follows
on the importance of breathing pure air: "The purpose of breathing
is to obtain from the air a supply of oxygen, which the blood takes up
and carries to the tissues. Oxygen is one of the most essential
of all the materials required for the support of life.
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