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NOTES ON THE SAFEGUARDING AND CONSERVING CULTURAL MATERIALS IN THE FIELD                                      43.
the absorbing material, a long spell of dryness will rob it of all moisture; and in either case its compensatory action will stop.
(iii) In very dry atmosphere, with high temperatures, pans of water placed about a room, or on top of heating apparatus, may be useful; but experiments have proved that their effect is small and very local.
(iv) In the case of comparatively small objects liable to be affected by damp or dryness, control is easier to establish of they are stored in airtight boxes or cabinets in which substances to provide compensatory action can be place.
4. [[underscore]]Strong light[[underscore]], especially strong sunlight, should always be avoided.  Quite apart from the action of the light, the alternation of heating and cooling does harm.  Complete darkness, however, combined with damp, is apt to favour the growth of mold.  Oil paintings (contrary to usual belief) need daylight (or some artificial equivalent, which has not yet been worked out) if they are not to yellow or darken.
5. [[underscore]]Smoke and chemical fumes.[[underscore]] Complete and elaborate precautions against these.  Paste up windows, and seal doors (not forgetting the possible need of these for evacuation in case of fire). Obtain the aid of gas experts among the occupying forces.