The artificial methods of living must be made to conform as nearly as possible to the needs of the body. Damp surroundings might have no ill effects upon the individual who was living a very active life outdoors “roughing it,” but place that individual in a damp, poorly lighted and poorly heated house where he is less active and his expression of life will be materially affected. Innate requires a proper environment, although not necessarily a perfect one, but it must be such that an adaptation can be maintained.
If the building site is damp it will require special methods to prevent the dampness from entering the house. This is expensive and if the site is too humid such a method will prove highly unsatisfactory. If the location is cold the house is very likely to be cold. The site should be well adapted to the needs of the building.
Aspect
The importance of the aspect should not be overlooked. A southeasterly facing is generally considered best, because it is dry and mild and has the morning sun and yet is not exposed to the hot afternoon sun.
The main living rooms should be so arranged as to admit the direct rays of the sun some time during the day. This can best be accomplished when these rooms are on the southeast. Each room should be so arranged with respect to window space that there will be ample lighting and proper ventilation of the whole house. Care must be exercised, however, that there is not too much window space which will give excessive heat in summer or too much cold in winter.
In large dwellings there is a tendency for the halls and stairways to be poorly lighted and poorly ventilated. This should not be. Ample provision supplying light through windows, and ventilation from the outside should be made to insure plenty of light and air.
Bedrooms should be well lighted and if possible direct sunshine should be admitted some time during the day, preferably in the morning.
Soil
The soil bears a close relation to health. The porous soils such as sand and gravel are considered the most healthful because they are driest. But there are objections to these, since they are easily polluted by leaky drains and cesspools, and are capable of holding a notable volume of ground water and ground air. Such air is almost invariably impure. The rain percolates through the soil until it reaches an impervious stratum which prevents it from penetrating any further, and it is held in the interstices or interspaces of the soil and forms the ground water.