But should the furnace take its air from outside the house, as it is the case with some improved kinds, there would still be no ventilation in the sick-room, except there be a fire-place beside the register of the furnace. With the stove or fire-place it is different: The stove continually draws off the lower strata, i. e. the worst part, of the air to feed the fire, whilst pure air will rush in through every crevice of the doors and windows to supply every cubic-inch of air absorbed by the stove. Thus the air in the room is constantly renewed, the bad air being carried off and good air being introduced. However, the openings through which the pure air comes in, must be large enough in proportion to allow a sufficient quantity of air to enter the room to make fully up for the air absorbed by the stove; for, if not, the air in the room will become thin and poor, and the patient will suffer from want of oxygen. An open fire, from the necessity of its burning brighter and larger to supply sufficient heat, a comparatively large part of which goes off through the chimney, will require a greater supply of air, and consequently larger ventilators or openings for the entrance of the pure air from outside the room. In very cold weather, and in cold climates in general, stoves are preferable to fire-places, the latter producing a draught, and not being able to heat a room thoroughly and equally, causing one side of the persons sitting near them to be almost roasted by the radiant heat in front, whilst their backs are kept cold by the air drawing from the openings in the doors and windows towards the fire to supply the latter. In merely cool weather, and in moderately cold climates, especially in damp places, I would prefer an open fire to a stove. In cold climates stoves are decidedly preferable, especially earthen ones, as they are used in Germany and Russia. Iron stoves must never be heated too much, as the red hot iron will spoil the air of the room, by absorbing the oxygen, as you can easily see by noticing the sparks, which form themselves outside the stove in very hot places. 53. TEMPERATURE OF THE SICK-ROOM. The _temperature of the sick-room_ should not be much above 65 deg. Fahrenheit; in no case should it rise above 70, whilst I do not see the necessity of keeping it below 60, as some hydriatic physicians advise.[31] The patient, in the heat of fever, will think 60 deg. high enough, and rather pleasant; and if others do not like a temperature as low as that, they may retire. The person necessary for nursing the patient may dress warmly and sit near the fire. Let the sick-room be as large as possible; or open the door and windows of a room connected with it. Towards the close of the disease, after desquamation has begun, the temperature of the room may be kept at 70 deg., as then the fever and heat have subsided and the delicate skin of the patient requires a comfortable temperature. 54. WATER-DRINKING.