In all parts of the house the electric current may be made to do work besides that of lighting. It warms the pa.s.sages by means of special radiators--replacing the clumsy coal and "stuffy" gas stove; in the kitchen it boils, stews, and fries, heats the flat-irons and ovens; in the breakfast room boils the kettle, keeps the dishes, teapots, and coffee-pots warm; in the bathroom heats the water; in the smoking-room replaces matches; in the bedroom electrifies footwarmers, and--last wonder of all--even makes possible an artificially warm bed-quilt to heat the chilled limbs of invalids!
The great advantage of electric heating is the freedom from all smell and smoke that accompanies it. But until current can be provided at cheaper rates than prevail at present, its employment will be chiefly restricted to the houses of the wealthy or to large establishments, such as hotels, where it can be used on a sufficient scale to be comparatively economical.
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