82 
SANITARY NOTES. KHARTOUM 
Waste water 
become bent in Khartoum, rendering the cover useless. I am inclined to think our type of 
lid, though more expensive, is preferable, although the rubber does get cut through at times 
and the clips become damaged. 
Otherwise the schemes seem very similar, though no light railway is employed by 
Entricaii. This, however, is the case at Bassein, where such is in use, fitted with turn-tables. 
Here also they have a plan of painting one set of buckets with a red band, the other with a 
black band. This is to ensure that the cleaners change the buckets properly. Thus, on one 
day red-banded buckets will be in use, on the succeeding day black-banded, and so on. The 
adoption of this principle has been considered for Khartoum, but we have such a large number 
of buckets, and the work is so arranged that it would not be easy to carry it out. One prefers 
to rely on constant inspection and the infliction of heavy ]jenalties for faulty work. 
Entrican has wood ashes, or sawdust, placed in the clean buckets. These substances are 
light, absorbent, and prevent splashing. They are not easily obtained in Khartoum, and would 
present no advantages, besides being undesirable for the tanking process. One has, however, 
advocated the substitution of the dry sand by a little petroleum, which prevents smell, keeps 
away Hies, and lessens the weight to be carted. The number of sand users is small, but I have 
not been able to introduce the petroleum system so far, as it entails slight extra expense and 
trouble on the part of the householder, and for some aesthetic reason the Governor was opposed 
to it. Its only real disadvantage is the risk of splashing at the time the pail is in use. 
Special sweepers’ quarters are advocated ; from experience 1 know this to be advisable. 
They exist in Khartoum, and efforts will be made to house the cleaners at Khartoum North. 
Entrican recommends one acre to every 109 inhabitants, but then Burma has a moist 
climate and a heavy rainfall. At Khartoum we have one acre tor every 2000 people, and so 
far this allowance has proved sufficient. At Khartoum North we can get as much land as we 
require. 
No land is trenched a second time without being cropped—a wise provision. 
He allows onepiiblic latrine seat for every GO inhabitants. This seems a liberal allowance, 
but much depends on the habits of the population, and on the number of private closets. 
Several clearances of buckets in the day have to lie carried out. In Khartoum double 
clearances are required for the civil and military hospitals, the quarters of the public works 
departments, and, in the winter season, the hotels. 
There are a few interesting notes regarding public latrines. As flooring, railway cinders 
are used, and this is declared to be much better than cement. Sand is also advocated, but is said 
not to l)e so good. In Khartoum I do not think a sufficient supply of railway cinders could 
be obtained, and, both as regards this and sand, the carting away of the fouled floor and its 
I’eplacement would entail considerable expense. 
No water is used in cleaning the latrines, the seats being rubbed down with dry sand. 
I have not tried this procedure, but it would seem to have some advantages. 
The use of lamps at night in the latrines is strongly advocated as a means of making them 
more popidar and preventing natives going to earth in any convenient spot. This has every¬ 
thing to recommend it. 
Hamilton, already quoted, finds that a mixture of one part kerosine, one part tar, and four 
parts mud mortar makes a good latrine floor. If desired, crude carbolic, under 4 per cent, 
strength, can be added as a deodorant and disinfectant. 
2. Waste Water Collection and Disposal .— The term “waste water" includes bath, kitchen, 
and scullery effluents, bedroom slops, urine, storm waters and the waste waters derived from 
mineral water factories, shop washings, and so on. 
The question is a serious one, for as soon as an ample water supply is an accomplished 
fact this w'aste water will greatly increase in volume. In the case of the British Barracks, it is 
