Colonial dormitories rationed beds by cubic metres of air per pupil.

Evidence

‘In the refectory there are seventeen tables, with thirty places to each table. In the dormitories the beds are placed at intervals of one to every 21 cubic metres of respirable air.’ The entire establishment, it was said, should have ‘a pleasing appearance of order’. — Timothy Mitchell, Colonising Egypt, 275

Categorization

• SHARE: The 21-cubic-metres-of-air-per-bed rule is delightfully absurd and specific; send to anyone interested in colonial hygiene or the history of the dormitory.
• CANDY: Colonial school inspectors literally measured out 21 cubic meters of air per bed — a great trivia fact.