ON VENTILATION (CLASSIC REPRINT)

Excerpt from On VentilationWhen our howledge of the function of breathing became de veloped to the extent of showing that an animal requires the oxym of the air for the living processes of its body. And as a result of these processes that it produces carbonic acid. Which is then adds to the air. It was natural to suppose that the unfavourable effect of overcrowded confined spaces was due either to the using up of the available oxygen or to a poisonous action of the carbonic acid Indeed. It is still the notion of many people that one or other of these changes in the air is the cause of the discomfort of living in crowded places. It is true that a great deficiency of oxygen, sud as occurs sometimes in mines because of oxidative processes in the soil. Will very q..ickly cause serious symptoms, often indeed vii produce it suddenly fatal result. Ari a lesser deficiency such a occursinthooeunaccuotomedtotherarefiedairofhighmou tains, or in aeronautics, is undoubtedly responsible for most of the not mad symptoms classified under the term of mountain sickness But that 0, deficiency is not a usual factor in the evil effects of wt ated atmospheres is made plain when we state that even in the ma