Of the various methods of warming buildings, that by warm.
water is, we believe, generally regarded as the most conducive to health and comfort : the apparatus is now used in several public insthutions and private establishments—in the British :%Iuseum, fur one. The objection to it has been the liability of the apparatus to get out of order from slight and sometimes imperceptible causes; and the inconvenience and danger of explosions. From 3Ir. Cut ARLES HOOD'S Practical Treatise on Yr-arming Puddings with Hat Witter, it would seem that these accidents are the result either of imperfections in the construction of the apparatus, or of carelessness and ignorance in regulating its action. In this volume the author lays down very clearly the scientific principles on which the warming-apparatus should be constructed anti managed; pointing out the causes of defects, and giving tables and abstruse calculations as data on which the mechaaist should found his plan of arrangement for distributing the artificial heat. The chapters on ventilation and on the various methods of warmiug are well worthy of attention. Mr. Hoot) objects to Dr. REIn's cumbrous and costly apparatus for warming and ventilating the House of Commons : he recommends a fan worked by ma.. chinery, as the most simple and efficacious mode of ventilating large buildings. He also objects to hot-hair stoves, on account of their vitiating the air by decomposing the particles of matter that it contains, (thus producing the unpleasant smell often expe- rienced in places warmed by heated air,) and by substituting hydrogen for the oxygen that forms one of its component parts,— a most baneful effect, which is made evident by the sense of oppres- sion and languor and by the dryness of the air. In stoves where the air is heated by passing over a large surface of iron nearly red-hot, the effect is still more injurious: mid brick flues are only less unwholesome. Mr. Hoop objects to the very slow draught in Dr. ARNOTT'S new stove—as well as to all on the same principle—aa having a tendency to allow the escape of carbonic oxide, which is very prejudicial to health. The gas-stoves be decidedly condemns; fur not only is a large quantity of the oxygen of the atmosphere extracted for the support of the flame, but a quantity of nitrogen gas becomes mixed with the air of the room. It has been attempted to obviate this last evil by means of flues; but these carry off the heat nlso, and render the stove nearly useless, while it is also very expensive. A moist heat is as injurious as a dry heat ; and the ruled salubrity in warming bui:dings laid down by Mr. Hoot) is, to radiate beat with a low tower...Lure of the metallic surfaces, not exceoding 212 i. A quantity of moisture condensed on the windows or wails of in apartment is a sign of bad ventilation. This effect has been attributed sometimes to the warm water apparatus; but erroneously, according to Mr. noon.
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