The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-25

Europe, while the Heading Americans" will
enjoys good time" In the Old World.
Ns Pneumatic Disseni.asioa Of Sewer
Gas In Our Houses.
An English scientific journal has recentlv
pnd very ably discussed the grave problem
OF indoor ventilation. 1t is a matter of
tho greatest marvel that while engineers
navo provided the means of draining our
cities OF their noisome and pestilential mat
Fer, as yet nothing has been done to pre-
vent the infection of our houses aud bed
rooms BY the exhalations of the sewer. It is
probable that very few of our most intelligent
citizens have ever reflected upon the possible
alsuibuton OF deadly poison among the in
mates Of their dwellings and even their pala-
tial residences from the common drain of the
whole city population.
1t has generally been suppos ed that when
the streets are kept clean and the sewers in
good order municipal prudence has nothing
more to do. 1t is very certain that in the
present atmospheric condition of our Eastern
cities the epidemics of the season will make
rapid strides without these sanitary precau-
lions. But we need to look further. It has
been shown very clearly that the foul and dis
ease-laden air Of the public sewer can and
does obtain admission into our chambers
Through the soil pipe, the bath outlet pipes
and the pipes which connect our bathrooms
with the subterranean drain. It was con-
clusively shown by the medical press of Eng
land that even the elegant saloons and tapes
tried rooms Of Londesborough Lodge were
tainted and impregnated with foul sewer gas,
and that the late illness of the Prince of
Wales was due to this exciting cause.
1t is very clear, too, that there must
be constant pressure of the sewer
air on the pan or trap of the closet which must
inevitably lead to an infltration of the poison
GUS vapor into the house. five suppose that
the excremental matter which passes through
the sewer in epidemic seasons is capable of
conveying disease, as we know 1t is, the most
Clearly and elegant mansion on our finest ave-
hues, and even our sumptuous suburban
villas, are seen to be in direct communication
with the most filthy and putrescent nests of
disease 10 the worst tenement houses.
The open pipes in the houses (Which are
also introduced into every bedroom) in
performing their functions In removing
waste water are so many vents for the
Tho foul air returns and insinuates itself
into our houses by more than one process.
A wind pressure, exerted on the open mouth
OF the sewer at great distances from the
house, or such pressure on any street corner
sewer opening, at once sends the infectious
miasm into the internal atmosphere of our
dwellings,. The increase of the specific
gravity Of the external atmosphere also forces
tho sewer air into our nostrils. Even the
draft Of chimneys in tight building, and
especially when it is closed up at night, must
be fed and kept up partly through the nume-
rous small pipes which connect with the
general sewer drainage.
All these unsupported avenues Of death are
alarming, because no amount of care and
cleanliness can avert the danger 50 long
- our houses are arranged as at present
But the remedy is not difficult one. No
anywhere inside the walls of the dwelling;
but these should be constructed outside, and
charcoal strainers and filters be extensively
employed. As our London contemporary
Electromagnetic, the pneumatics of the
private dwelling are quite as important as the
hydraulics, and the dozen or more small pipes
of sinks, baths. &C., should every one be
made to empty, not directly into the sewer,
but should be collected and ''allowed to dis
charge their contents into the open air over
trap communicating with the house drain, so
that relux of sewer gas into the house would
be simply impossible"
We regard this suggestion as of unspeakable
importance in the technical details of house
building, and especially of all fats, tenement
houses and hotels. A mans home is of more
consequence to him than the whole outside
world, and If our modern science is worth
anything It should bring itself to our hearths
and fresides. The London Times well says
of this matter :-s'What satire on the uni
vsrsal diffusion Of knowledge, on the lectures
Of the Royal Society, on hundreds of scientific
and educational institutions and on all our
new inventions and discoveries! Here is the
simplest thing in the whole world, which
wanted only common sense, and nobody
seems TO have thought of it-nay, we are not
sure that our architects and builders will be
thinking of It next year. It is far too simple
and too deadly an affair.""
We see no reason why legal municipal
enactments should not at once be made and
henceforth rigidly enforced, if not RETROSPECT
lively at least prospectively, in all our future
public buildings, and even in the construction
of private residences. An early and energetic