SAFETY IN HOUSE-DRAINAGE. 307 



the fresh, pure air of the mountains, often return to houses which 

 have upholstered furniture, carpets, curtains, and heavy draperies 

 saturated with the foul and poisonous air of sewers and drains 

 which has had unrestricted entrance to the deserted houses for 

 months at a time. 



It will be noticed that the lower end of the flushing-pipe shown 

 in Fig, 12 is divided, one orifice being connected with the flush- 

 ing-rim and the other with a small opening at the bottom of the 



FiQ. 13.— Trap-Jet Closet, showing the Actual. Shape. 



bowl. When the valve in the tank is raised, the lower opening 

 allows a strong jet of water to be thrown upward toward the out- 

 let. This forcibly expels a portion of the contents of the bowl 

 and lowers the water and waste matters into the neck, whence 

 they are ejected by the combined action of the upper and lower 

 flushing-streams. A strong wash descending from the flushing- 

 rim cleanses the bowl thoroughly and afterward refills it to the 

 level of the trap-outlet. The discharge of the closet is almost 

 noiseless, since the lower orifices of the flushing-pipe are sub- 

 merged. 



Considerable space has been given to a description of the most 

 common defects of plumbing fixtures, for the reason that these 

 imperfections are usually the unsuspected source of danger to life 

 and health in houses where the plumbing is most elaborate and 

 costly. Poor material in the drain-pipes and leaky joints are 

 readily recognized perils that may be easier avoided because they 

 are better understood. It may be well, in conclusion, to note a few 

 important points that should be observed in every well-designed 

 system of house-drainage. 



The plumbing should be concentrated as much as possible, so 



