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Story
April 8, 1915
Mexico Missouri Message
Mexico, Audrain County, Missouri
What is this article about?
Erastus W. Woods from Springfield, Mass., argues that sleeping in open air is healthier because denser outdoor air requires less lung effort for oxygenation, leading to quieter breathing, sounder sleep, and relief from indoor stuffiness, especially in cold weather.
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Benefits of Sleeping
in the Open Air
By Erastus W. Woods, Springfield, Mass.
We read much about the healthfulness of sleeping out, but I have not read any explanation as to why it is more healthful to sleep out, other than the stereotyped advice that "fresh air is good for us."
I therefore venture to suggest that the reason of the beneficial result is that the more dense the air the less action is required of the lungs to sustain normal animation. Inside the house it may require as many as half a dozen inflations to secure the same amount of oxygen that would be secured by one inflation of the lungs in the denser air.
Therefore it seems reasonable to conclude that the lungs become quieter and the whole physical system also becomes quieter and the whole man, lungs, brain and all, goes more soundly to sleep in the denser outside air.
When the weather is cold enough to require fire for comfort, the air in all ordinary houses and rooms is less moist and vital than the cold, dense air outside, and as a consequence when one enters such a place the action of the respiratory organs becomes more laborious, so much so in extreme cases as to manifest itself to us and we say the room is stuffy.
A health department bulletin published during extreme cold weather advised: "Don't stay in a stuffy room any longer than you need to get out."
Stuffiness is manifested through resistance to breathing and in no other way.
The degree of stuffy unwholesomeness is plainly indicated by the degree of breathing relief felt when stepping from such a room or house out into the open air if it is not sufficiently stuffy to attract our attention while inside.
Again, outside, in cold weather, sufficient oxygen is contained in so small a quantity of air that one can breathe as nature intended, through one's nostrils, and this explains the rapid recovery from bronchial trouble.
Other things noticeable in those who sleep out are less snoring and fewer stories of horrid dreams. They sleep.
in the Open Air
By Erastus W. Woods, Springfield, Mass.
We read much about the healthfulness of sleeping out, but I have not read any explanation as to why it is more healthful to sleep out, other than the stereotyped advice that "fresh air is good for us."
I therefore venture to suggest that the reason of the beneficial result is that the more dense the air the less action is required of the lungs to sustain normal animation. Inside the house it may require as many as half a dozen inflations to secure the same amount of oxygen that would be secured by one inflation of the lungs in the denser air.
Therefore it seems reasonable to conclude that the lungs become quieter and the whole physical system also becomes quieter and the whole man, lungs, brain and all, goes more soundly to sleep in the denser outside air.
When the weather is cold enough to require fire for comfort, the air in all ordinary houses and rooms is less moist and vital than the cold, dense air outside, and as a consequence when one enters such a place the action of the respiratory organs becomes more laborious, so much so in extreme cases as to manifest itself to us and we say the room is stuffy.
A health department bulletin published during extreme cold weather advised: "Don't stay in a stuffy room any longer than you need to get out."
Stuffiness is manifested through resistance to breathing and in no other way.
The degree of stuffy unwholesomeness is plainly indicated by the degree of breathing relief felt when stepping from such a room or house out into the open air if it is not sufficiently stuffy to attract our attention while inside.
Again, outside, in cold weather, sufficient oxygen is contained in so small a quantity of air that one can breathe as nature intended, through one's nostrils, and this explains the rapid recovery from bronchial trouble.
Other things noticeable in those who sleep out are less snoring and fewer stories of horrid dreams. They sleep.
What sub-type of article is it?
Medical Curiosity
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Recovery
Nature
What keywords are associated?
Sleeping Outdoors
Fresh Air Benefits
Lung Health
Indoor Stuffiness
Bronchial Recovery
What entities or persons were involved?
Erastus W. Woods
Where did it happen?
Springfield, Mass.
Story Details
Key Persons
Erastus W. Woods
Location
Springfield, Mass.
Story Details
Erastus W. Woods explains the health benefits of sleeping in open air, attributing it to denser air allowing easier oxygenation, quieter lungs and system, less stuffiness compared to indoor heated air, and benefits for bronchial recovery through natural nostril breathing.