The injurious effect of dry heat in inhabited rooms is quite generally
known, and different methods have been suggested for moistening the
air. To test the effectiveness of these methods, J. Melikow, of St.
Petersburg, has estimated the quantity of moisture in the air of
different rooms by means of August's psychrometer, and also tested
the different methods of increasing the moisture. He arrived at the
following results, which are of decided practical value:
1. When large and small open vessels filled with water are placed in the
room, they do not increase the moisture of the air at all.
2. Tubs of water of the same temperature as the room and parlor
fountains have very little effect.
3. When hot air is used, open vessels of water placed over the pipes
have no effect at all.