National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-04-10
THE BOARD oE HEALTH.


in use in our chief clerks department. It con-
ssts. you will observe, Of heavy tin cylinder,
TO the latter Of which Is attached Q stopcock.
coIates through . sponge (fIiInE q small inter-
mediate pipe or cylinder) before 1t passes through
the fltering material, which is chiefly charcoal
sad pebble. Alter thus being thoroughly filtered
the water falls into the lower section or recepta-
cle from which It Is drawn for use. Much care
fectiy clean BY frequent soSkiRs and Washing in
warm water. 1t has been suggested that once
per month, at least, solution Of PermangAnAte OF
process has been suggested as follows: From
TO ounces solution petass permanganate,or2o or
water, and subsequently q quarter to half an
ounce of pure hydrochloTic acid in to gallons OF
distilled water. Three gallons OF distilled or good
rain water should then be passed through, aHd
the filter is again 1T for use. Pocket filters are
convenient on journeys from home. These can be
used either for direct inhibition or as q sYphon.
have one here which will explain my meaning.
The system Of altering BY what is called the
Atkins method is highly ommended. The Purest
to the finest possible powder, is mixed in certain
proportions with Norway tar and other combusti-
ened by liquid tar, thoroughly mixed and divided
into blocks or slabs of any particular shape and
suffered to become completely dry and hard.
These are then submitted TO
PROCESS OF INcINERATIoN BY HEAT,
by which all the inhammaDle material Ia con-
sumed, leaving the animal charcoal intact, but
porous thus forming an admirable filter as we'll
as Iuriher. In the Popular Science Monthly for
April, 1874, this process, which promises to be
useful for many Industrial purposes, besides val
liable as a water filter, is thus alluded to:
1.-THE carbon blocks are chiefly cast in cylin-
drical forms so arranged that the percolatlon is
from the external periphery inward and the GEN.
tire Of the block is hollow, forming tube whence
the uttered water flows. In this way the bulk of
the impurities is deposited on the outside Of the
block, whenceit may be removed by washing with
hot water or by scraping. Such filters, slnRly or
in numbers are placed in the bottom of clstern,
the central pipes Of etiuX being all connected to-
gether, aud with one outlet. Where large I'll
teriug capacity is required different principle Is
adopted, namely, series OF carbon plates. In
this case the water in its passage from the inlet
to the outlet, is caused to pass through number
of frames variously constructed according to cir
cumstances. Thus there may be, firstly, frame
covered with fine wire gauZe; then separate
frames, paneled with carbon plates, with or with
cut the Intervention Of q bed Of pare loose anil
NAL charcoal, filling up the spaces between them;
ard there may be also double frame containing
a sheet of felt compressed between two psrfOr-
ated plates made, respectively, of sheet, copper,
and zinc, which would exert certain electrical
action and aid in the chemical action OF precipi-
tatiBg impurities."
This system, or something similar, might be
readily adapted to the distributing reservoir, By
which the water might be filtered and rendered
pure before entering the mains.
THE PLAN PROPOSED,
however, is not without objections, one Of which
is the great expense Of pure mineral charco A. the
price Of which ranges, believe, at from $50 to
process of incineration of the carbon plates or
cylinders would add materially to the cost.
In this connection my attention has been re-
Gently attracted to experiments that seem to
promise all that can be desired in the perfect fl
tration and publication of drinking water, and If
/ am not greatly deceived, will prove an inesti-
mable boon to humanity. A series Of interesting
experiments are now being made BY promising
young chemist of this city, who has given the
subject Of the purihcatiOn Of water an unusual
share Of attention. The results so far are emil
nently satisfactory, and promise complete sue
cess. The process for which this gentleman has
applied for patent consists in using iron reduced
by carbon with small quantity Of graphite, in
any approved filter. This iron by carbon, or iron
oftener than every six or twelve months. BY a
very inexpensive iron globe filter, filled with this
powder, attached to the water pipes entering
house. all the organic matter is precipitated, all
minerals In solution absorbed and gases injurious
to health decomposed, rendering the water almost
tSs FUn ~ carbon could Be- made a. ths pont Of
outlet at our reservoirs, as well as at each house.
1t is easily prepared from the usual iron ores In
a very cheap furnace. This simple adaptation of
iron by carbon or iron SPONGE for the purihcation
Of water deserves so much consideration that
propose in future report to furnish the various
number Of Industrial arts In which 1t will prove
valuable, together with many other suggestions
which have been necessarily crowded out Of the
present essay. With a suitable tilteri1g arrange
ment of the material described applied to each
distributing reservoir, and at the entrance Of the
waterpipe into each house, the most
COMPLETE PURIFICATIoN OF Our DRINKING
WATER
will be effected, and thus a vast salutary end
achieved.
Whatever method is deemed preferable for the
removal Of filth and the publication Of water for
drinking purposes, 1t should, in view OF the i'm
portant relations which this agent sustans to the
public health, be promptly applied without re-
not be overrated, and while individual precaution
in the use Of water Of doubtful purity should not
be neglected in our homes, the public authorities
sho IN af "a n the
ply to our thousands Of population should be rem
dered as pure and wholesome as practicable.
Every appliance which the advanced state Of san
itary science may prompt, or the best systems OF
hydraulic engineery accomplish, should be en-
ployed at whatever expense to the public neces-
by dollars and cents, since without It communI-
ties, we'll individuals inevitably deterorate in
of ply steal development, mind or morals.
Ioffer no apology for occupying so much Of the
time Of the board IN the consideration of subject
the Importance of which has been scarcely
preached in this crude and imperfect paper.
vote of thanks was extended the president
for the able paper he had presented.
SANITARY.
Prot Langston, from the special committee on
otal, reported on the Communication Of the health
officer, asking permission to have the barrels
used in the removal of nightsoil repaired, recon-
mending that the health officer have the defec-
conference be held With the Odoriess Exclvating
Company with regard to having new barrels con-
stIucted expressly for this service,
Dr. Bliss stated that by the direction OF the
board he had forwarded a Communication to Gen.
| U. E. Babcoek, requesting permission to occupy
the small triangular reservation bounded by II
street north, First street west and Delaware ave-
nue. east, now covered in part by tracks Of the
| Baltimore and Ohio railroad. 1t is desired to
erect thereon a building depot, Of proper size
and good material, for the reception Of oflls COL
| lected in the cities Of Washington and George
town for transportation by rail beyond the
limits of the District. Should the permission be
| granted we give the assurance that no nuisance
will be created or maintained In or around said
building. the system adopted by. the board for
the collection and transfer Of said oials entirely
obviating all danger from that source. The
building and grounds will at all times be under
the in mediate supervision Of an Oficer Of the
beard"
To which the following reply was received:
| OFFICE OF PrBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS,
WASHINGTON. D. O., April 7, 1875. !
SIR: am in receipt Of your favor Of the 5th
instant, asking for permission TO erect building
on the triangular reservation on Delaware ave-
nue., between H and streets north, for sanitary
purposes, and in reply would say that see no OBJ
lection to such occupation, providing that the
assurance you give, that no nuisance will be al
lowed, Is carried out. Permission is therefor
granted your board TO use the reservation named
above until otherwise ordered from this office.