Hints to househunters and householders / by Ernest Turner.

  • Turner, Ernest.
Date:
1884
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hints to househunters and householders / by Ernest Turner. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    variation being the amount of rainfall, increase or decrease of barometric pressure, and the rise or fall of temperature. This last is a very potent factor, and more- over one of especial importance from the fact that it forms the chief cementing link between the soil- atmosphere and ourselves. An inhabited house is a sort of gigantic cupping-glass, and the heat- rarefied atmosphere of its rooms is continually replenished from the air stores of the soil, forced up syphon-wise by the excess of weight in the corresponding column of cold air outside. Hence to live on a poisonous soil is to breathe poisonous air. Some soils are naturally poisonous. For the most part these soils have other defects which, by making building impossible, act as safeguards. But the “ London clay ” is a doubtful soil upon which building is very possible indeed. Fortunately, even at its worst, it purifies itself in time, under exposure to the air. So it is only those who are living in the immediate neighbourhood of digging operations, or move into one of the new houses directly it is finished, who are practically exposed to any hurtful influence on that score. There is only one remedy, but that is fortunately within the reach of all : viz., not to take a house either newly built on the London clay or just on the edge of advancing brick and mortar tide. Again, soil naturally wholesome may be made poisonous by ourselves, and is very conscientious