SAFETY IN HOUSE-DRAINAGE. 



303 



Our basins, baths, and pantry-sinks have been made with over- 

 flow openings connecting with pipes concealed from view and en- 

 tirely inaccessible for cleaning. These overflow-pipes invariably 

 become receptacles for filth, and the emanations from them are 

 always offensive and dangerous. The new patterns of basins, 

 sinks, and baths have the overflows in the form of a short, mova- 

 ble stand-pipe set in a recess at the back or end of the fixtures. 

 This stand-pipe serves also as an outlet-plug. When raised from 

 its seat by a simple lifting device, it permits the escape of waste- 

 water, and by a single movement it is readily detached from its 

 place for cleaning (Fig. 7). 



The overflow-pipe of our common set-basins forms a receptacle 

 for the accumulation of a thick deposit of filthy slime in its inte- 

 rior, which, by putrefying, pollutes the air of houses to a danger- 

 ous degree (Fig. 8). Since the 

 interior of this pipe is quite 

 inaccessible for purposes of 

 cleansing, there is no remedy 

 for the evil except by aban- 

 doning the use of this old 

 form of fixture, which has 

 also other equally objection- 

 able features. The chain at- 

 tached to the outlet - plug 

 invariably collects a great 

 quantity of filth in its nu- 

 merous well-protected recess- 

 es and on the entire irregular 

 surface of the links. It is 

 almost impossible to remove 

 this filthy accumulation by 

 any ordinary means, and the 

 continued use of a household 

 fixture of this kind by differ- 

 ent persons is offensive to good taste, and violates the generally 

 accepted standards of personal cleanliness established by ordinary 

 hygienic principles. 



Our common water-closets in general use have so many seri- 

 ous faults of design and construction as to demand especial con- 

 sideration in this connection. Some of the most costly and elabo- 

 rate patterns recently designed and put upon the market are 

 dangerous and unfit for use. Delicately tinted and fancifully 

 molded shapes of porcelain or earthenware are no guarantees of 

 safety. Sanitary requirements in the construction of water- 

 closets are so clearly defined that the essential features can be 

 readily understood from a brief enumeration. 



Fig. 8.— Set-Basin, with Common Oveeflow-Pipb 

 AND "Foke" and "Back" Ventb. 



