LIGHTING Every dwelling should be so situated that at some time of the day each of the sides will receive the sun's rays. Little can be said in favor of the type of dwelling construction common in large cities, where for blocks dwellings or tenements occupy the entire lot space, only presenting free wall space at the front and rear. The interior rooms of such dwellings receive very little natural illumination. The type of construction we earlier recommended is best, for first it permits full advantage to be taken of the brightly diffused sunlight for the illumination of the dwelling's interior during the day, and second, each room for some period of the day will have a greater or less amount of direct sunlight gaining entrance, and thus be benefited by its germicidal activity. Furthermore as we shall presently see, such construction enables the fullest advantage to be taken of natural ventilation.
Narrow streets and high dwellings, particularly those of the apartment or tenement variety, restrict the amount of sunlight available to adjacent buildings as well as to the street. Accord ingly provision should be made to regulate the heighth of build ings in proportion to the width of the street they face. No interior rooms should be occupied as living, sleeping or working rooms, which do not have outside windows.
Large windows permitting the introduction of the maximum of sunlight and fresh air are desirable. Attention should be
paid to the location of the windows on opposite sides of the dwelling, as well as the location of intermediate doors and win dows, so that free passage of air across the house can be secured when the windows are open.
Artificial illumination is of course necessary for nights and dark days. Various methods are now available, from the candle, kerosene, gasoline, or acetylene lamps to gas and electricity. Electricity is probably the best when available, since the fire danger is the least, it does not consume oxygen from the air and the most brilliant illumination is possible.
The recent introduction of indirect illumination by means of light rays reflected upon the ceiling from concealed globes is undoubtedly the best means of artificial illumination. The room is lighted by a diffused glow, more nearly imitating natural illumination than any other means. Eye strain is avoided if those seated in the room so place themselves, or the lights are so situated, that the direct rays do not fall on the face. Those reading or doing work which requires close inspection should preferably seat themselves so that if right handed, the light falls over the left shoulder. Delicate work should be brightly illuminated by shaded lamps, in addition to those shedding a diffuse light over the apartment as a whole.