PARK SANITATION 



851 



water used as a source of water supply or for bathing purposes. Calcium 

 hypochlorite should be added to contents of the privy pit at the rate of 

 one pound per week for each person using the privy. 



Chemical closets.^ Chemical closets are patented devices designed to 

 take the place of privies. Generally they consist of the following parts: 

 (i) White vitreous china bowls similar to the untrapped bowls used on 

 railway coaches, and with hinged seats and covers like flush toilets. (2) 

 An iron tank coated on the in- 

 side with enamel that resists the 

 action of the chemicals used. 

 (3) An agitator inside the tank 

 that is operated by a lever 

 located near the toilet seat. (4) 

 A ventilation pipe extending up 

 from the opening in the rear of 

 the bowl. (5) A chemical of high 

 caustic content for liquefying 

 the solid contents of the tank 

 and for sterilizing the fecal mat- 

 ter and urine. (6) A urinal of 

 practically the same design as 

 that used in a water flushing 

 system. The advantages of the 

 chemical closet when supplied 

 with proper amounts of chemi- 

 cals and kept clean are as fol- 

 lows: (i) They can be located in 

 buildings without producing 

 odors. (2) They liquefy fecal 

 matter and toilet paper. (3) The 



bacteria and intestinal parasites discharged into the tank are destroyed. (4) 

 The contents of the tanks are in a liquid state, and can therefore be easily 

 disposed of under almost all conditions. The disadvantages are: 



(1) The devices are patented, thereby increasing the cost and pre- 

 venting construction with local material. 



(2) Serious nuisances result from odors if the bowls and urinals are 

 neglected, or chemicals are not used properly. 



(3) A supply of chemicals must be kept on hand at all times. The 

 cost of the chemicals is not excessive, but someone must be responsible for 

 keeping enough chemicals for the closets on hand at all times. 



1 "Camp Sanitation," Draper and Hommon, United States Public Health Service. 



PLATE No. 328 

 PIT PRIVY WITH URINAL 



(Commission of Immigration and Housing of California.) 



