Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-09
A Chapter ON Drainage.


regulations, and desire to invite theirs and
the public attention to one matter of vital
importance in connection with the matter.
BODY doubts that Sa the inhalation Of sewer
gas means sickness and DEATH" No one sub
ject has SO much attracted the attention of
the medical profession and sanitarians gen.
1t is the most prslinc OF all sources Of disease
in our cities; and yet, strange as IL may APP
pear, there is literally no supervision by
source of trouble from this cause. To illus
trate my meaning. let me state q case within
my own knowledge. A citizen contracted to
the plumbing was sub-let by the contractor
to plumber in good and regular standing.
Soon after the house was completed the
owner had occasion to take up the concrete
in the basement in order to connect the
rain-spout with the sewer which ran under
the basement floor. On doing SO, he found
the entire area under tie concrete flooded,
and, supposing there must be a leak in the
water pipe, tore up the concrete for a con-
siderable distance, to the supply pipe, when
IL proved TO be tight. Satisfied that some
thing was wrong, although assured TO the
contrary by the plumber. he then employed
another, and on uncovering the sewer pipe
they found, just at the foot OF the soil pipe
leading from the water closet, piece broken
out of its side larger than a mans hand
this hole extending down the bottom of the
pipe and being covered by loose piece
merely laid against il, without being even
cemented. OF course, all the drainage of the
house including the waste FROM the water
closet, ran out at this hole, and saturated
and
FLOODED THE ENTIRE AREA
under the concrete floor and walls of the
house. Nor was that all; for he found also,
lat hole had been broken in the top OF
this pipe to connect the drain-pIpe from the
stationary wash-tubs, from which the gas
was free to escape from the sewer without
h1ndrance. Moreover, there was
NO TRAP
between the street sewer and the house, nor
any to the wash tubs, and consequently the
gas from the street sewer, besides whateve.
was generated in the sewer under the build
ing, had free outlet into the basement, from
whence, of course, it wOuld permeate the en-
tire building! A magazine of nitro glyceriue
would not have been half so dangerous, for
Its explosion would have been accidental
merely, while the injury from this was
certainty.
After the pipe was uncovered. so as to ex-
pose the defects, the owner sent to the plumb
CT. and told him Of its condition, and asked
him to come and examine IL; and all the sat
1sfaction he obtained was the reply that IL
was "a id lie," and q refusal to go near it!
And this was no cheap job, for it cost $500
and was paid for in cash, besides about 500
Now the simple fact that such job of sew
ering could be, and was done, right here in
our midst shows the absolute necessity of
the authorities taking this matter in hand,
and adopting the most stringent rules for its
regulation. In this connection beg TO sug-
gest the following points, that it seems to
me sDOuiu De
EMBODIED IN REGULATIONS
to be enforced in all cases:
!. No sewer, drain or soil pipe shOuld be
placed inside OF, or under, any building
where il can beavoided. or course. in many
places it cannot be avoided; but If placed
outside, instead of inside. then any escaping
gas Will be dissipated in the atmosphere, in
stead of being confined within the building
TO poison the atmosphere, and finally kill the
occupants.
2. Every sewer connection should have
tiers the building to carry Off the foul gases
that may enter it from the street sewer. If
possible, this fiue or pipe should extend
ro ane TOOL SO as 10 preEent aae gases
3. There should be trap in the sewer pine,
between this ventilating fiue and the insi lie
OF the house, to prevent the sewer gas from
entering the pipe under the house at all.
There will be but little or no generation OF
sewer gas in the pipe In the building, because
the constant drainage from the wash basins,
stantly flushed out.
4. The rain spouts from the roof shonld all
De connected with the drain pipe of the
house, so as more thoroughly to flush the
pipe, and also to carry Off any gas that might
by any possibility he generated in, or enter
the sewer pipe. Rain spOuts which lead
should be so connected or trapped as TO pre-
vent the gas from ascending them, as other
wise II would escape from their tops. which
being lower than the upper story windows,
would permit IL 10 enter them when open.
3. A separate and direct fiue or pipe Should
be extended from the wafer closet or its
trap ont through or above the roof, to carry
of all foul gases from the water closet; aud
this should be so arranged as TO draw 2. cur
rent of air from within, Outward through the
bowl of the water closet, at all times. This
Is best done by using the kitchen chimney,
either as the ventilating fiue itself or as
means OF warming, and thus creating draft
up the ventilating fiue, which may be of
metal located within the chimney or along
sl1e of IL. In erecting new buildings il would
be better to make fine adjoining the Kit.
chen chimney, especially for this purpose, as
rent up the adjoining fiue. Where this is not
gas burner may be Sed TO
create current; though if carriei well up,
and a suitable cap provided, there Will
through II, even without heat.
o. AND this is the point TO which / special
~ desire TO call the attention of the authori-
ties. There should be a special officer APP
pointed whose duty 1t should be to superin-
tend the laying of all sewer pipes in and
about buildings, 10 examine the same ,cItere
joints are absolutely gas tight that they are
so laid that they cannot come apart; that
traps and ventilating 1ues are provided and
properly arranged, as above stated, and that
the work in every respect Is done as Ii ought
TO be, so as to render 1T safe and secure.
Z: All plumbers or others should be required
TO have license before being permitted to
touch job, and none but men of known fit
ness, ability and integrity should have a
license under any circumstances. They
should also be required to give bond with
sureties for faithfully per forming their duties
and complying with the rules and regulP-
lions of the board in reference to these mat
tiers, with provision for revoking their IL
cense In case of failure so do, together with
penalty for any violation of the rules or
Connected as this matter is with the public
health, IL would seem that IL ought to be
under the control o. the Board of Bealth. but
1t should not be left to the vagaries or whims
Of any tyfO or theOrist, but should be con-
trolled by fixed rules and regulations.
With such plan honestly carried ont, the
great question of sewer poisoning, so far as
our buildings are concerned, would be settled
once for all.
AS to ventilating the street sewers, that is
a very simple matter, and can be easily
effected. IT is done in Europe, and can be
here with ordinary engineering skill and a
small outlaw. There is prob
ably not sewer in this city from which the
gas is rot constantly escaping at every man
hole or cover, as well as at other openings.
To say they cannot be ventilated is sheer
nonsense. But enough for the present 1t is
in our houses. and not the streets, ,Ohere the
great danger lies. and 1t is to that that de-
sire to call attention at this time. 1t is dis
graceful that this matter has not been at
tended TO before. 10 Chicago and other cities
nj pPp is officer whose hin 4 lie to-