The most elastic straw is that of barley, which may be easily shaken and spread, when inclosed in ticking. Various unsuccessful attempts have been made to substitute the dry leaves of trees, moss, and other soft materials, instead of barley straw, which, however, is more eligible; or the leaves of Turkey corn, or maize, are still better.
A mattress filled with horse-hair is preferable to a feather-bed, which heats and relaxes the body, and disposes it to pulmonary and hectic complaints. The bolster should be stuffed with horse-hair, and covered with a small pillow filled with feathers. The bedding might consist either of sheets, with blankets and a counterpane, or a single cover, thinly quilted with cotton wool: the latter might be easily washed, and will last for several years. In very cold seasons, a counterpane quilted with a few pounds of soft feathers, might be substituted for the former; but it should not be used in summer.
Bed, in masonry, a course of stones or bricks: the joint of the bed, is the mortar or cement placed between each range.
Bed, in gardening, a division of the mould raised above the level of the adjacent ground, for the cultivation ofplants or roots.—See Hot-bed.
BED-ROOM, an apartment, or chamber, devoted to the enjoyment of nightly repose, after the usual labour and fatigue of the day. Those happy few who, from their respective situations in life, are enabled to choose a spacious and lofty room for breathing in, at least, one-third of their existence, may consider themselves peculiarly fortunate. It must, however, be confessed, that little attention is generally paid to this important object, even by such persons as might, in this respect, equally consult their health and convenience.
A bed-chamber ought never to be on a ground-floor, or have a northern aspect. Although, on account of a cooler air, many prefer this situation in summer, yet it cannot fail to be unwholesome, as it is most exposed to the influence of a damp atmosphere in the morning, and during the night. Hence we are of opinion, that an eastern front is more conducive to health; because it receives the first rays of the sun, that beneficent luminary, who, more regularly than a time-piece, awakens the man of a sound body and mind, while he animates, invigorates, and incites him to rise, after having refreshed himself by repose. Besides, a moderate degree of heat, thus naturally imparted, may be more easily endured, and modified, if necessary, by various means, than a moist and pernicious atmosphere, which even the dry air of summer cannot easily correct.
For similar reasons, small closets and concealed beds are extremely injurious, especially to young people and invalids. When persons are from necessity obliged to sleep in them, it will be advisable every morning, immediately after rising, to displace all the bed-clothes; if the sky be serene, to open the door and windows in order to purify the stagnant air of so confined a resting place: but we think it, on the whole, a dangerous practice to sleep with open windows, whether at night, or in the day-time; though a very small aperture, without admitting a current of air to pass through the room, may occasionally be useful. Nor should the
