Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-11-27

construction of our city drainage. aud what.
ever its defects, IL cannot be denied that IL
has accomplished important sanitary result.
in draining the low lands along the well-re-
membered canal, the cess pools along the IT.
Der and Slash run, and the swamps of the
northern section OF the city. 1t has furnished
sewer facilities for large proportion of our
population, heretofore dependent upon the
wrought miracle In the purified atmosphere
OF our streets and alleys. The chief objection
to the present system is the fact that die out
let is below high water mark, exposed to the
dar ger of influx from the river In high tides
or freshets, thus producing gaseous regurgi-
tation, and forcing poisonous exhalations
into many private dwellings. The correction
of this great public defect Is a problem dim
cult of solution; but that the mischief must
and Will be remedied at no distant day can
not be doubted. Carefully constructed as
may be network of sewers il some
times, after all, becomes the means of o. NJ
veying into our homes the insidious and ia
sewers do, the impurities of the earth in ma.
larial districts, receiving fetid and otuer
matters from thousands of houses, and accu-
mulatipg nth from streets, they become
charged with the poisonous gases resui tir q
from rapid decomposition. These gases
seeking vent somewhere, penetrate aud sat
bers, which are in direct connection with the
receptacles in which they are being con-
stantly generated and evolved Carbonic
acid, nitrogen, csrburetted and sulphuretred
hydrogen, ammonial compounds aud fetid
exhalations, although to consider
able extent diluted in the pipes and
present in variable quantity and in
tensity, iusinutiug themselves through
imperfect house connections into our living
and sleeping apartments to the imminent
the traps, so called, are very imperfect. In-
deed no system of protecting our houses in
this manner has been found effectual 10 re
sist the pressure of these gases when operated
upon by the forces that work in our Sewers,
Especially is this the case with that portion
finding outlet via Tlber creek and B street
sewers, embracing substantially the terri
tory between 18th street east and 18th street
west, Il street south and the Boundary. i
mention particularly Tiber creek and B
street, because they are both tide locked for
distance of over 5000 feet from their out
falls, together with all the branch sewers be-
tween street sOnth and + street north. The
result is that twice In every "A hours by the
flow OF tide the capacity Of these main sewers
is SO materially diminished as TO obstruct
the passage of the sewage entering them
from the laterals, thus completely closing
the outlets 10 the latter, and, by the con-
tiDuous flow of water, &c, from the more
elevated portion of the city, contracting the
air space and correspoudingly increasing the
pressure upon the gases-the tidal force
guarding and forcing an entrance at the
mouth of the sewer TO be met by the descend
ing waters from the northern part OF the city.
While the effect is not particularly marked
in the immediate vicinity of the tide locked
sewer it is abundantly manifest in the
are driven with such force and rapidity as to
find an escape at every unguarded or weak
point. This is alarmingly apparent during
a heavy fall of rain, when a sewer. ord mar
lily running half full, is, by the Increased
flow running three fOurths full, thus dimin-
ishing by one-haif the capacity of the air
chamber and proportionately increasing the
pressure upon the gases. Owing to the vast
amount OF small pipe sewers, mostly Twelve
inches in diameter, this condition is not
Only likely to occur but is well
is evident from the fact that not unfre-
Quently during heavy showers are these
small pipes found running Jt,R tOre. AS these
gases cannot be annihilatei they must have
space, and, not finding it in the sewers, they
are forced out at the weakest points, AMI
these are invariably at the house conuec-
tons. Other powers and forces are at work
too-in our sewers, and operating upon these
gases. Heat and cold, alternately eypanti-
ing and contracting the atmosphere, are
capable OF developing force Irresistible by
the ordinsry system of trapping. Barome-
trio changes and prevailing southerly winds
materially affect the current of air within
the sewers. As il is evident that these gases
cannot be confined within the sewers. where
Will they be allowed tOescape? Shalli be
within our dwellings, and at night when our
houses are closed and the whole atmosphere
has been robbed of its vital properties? When
wrapped In slumber and the physical ener-
gies relaxed, we are comparatively power
less 10 resist the approach CT disease? Or
SHAH II be in the outer air where by dilution
these gases may be dissipated and rendered
comparatively harmless or bya wise provi-
sion their properties entirely changed and
rendered inOcuOuS?
There can be but one opinion upon this
point, and III view of It's vital Importance
10 the health of the city, cannot too strongly
urge the necessity for thorough ventilation
or O Ur sewers, ard the arrest OF their direct
communication with our dwellings. As this
is evidently sanitary measure of great ion
portance il should not be left 10 the uncer-
tain sktll or honesty OF contractors, nut
should be under the Immediate super
frn1 of fhn hfa
thorities. Let 1t he insisted that every
house connection with a sewer shall have
communication with the outer atmos-
phere before entering the building, the trap
being located between The main sewer anu
TIE outlet, for ventilation. Ia this way by no
possibility can the gases enter our dwellings
Moreover by the application OF q proper
ventilator at these outlets. the gases may
be so far changed in their properties as To be
entirely inocuous."
Under the head Of Of;als the introduction
OF the "Odorless excavating" process OF re-
moving night soil is alluded to, which has
duce it in New York and the success of the
there is noted. fhe garbage service has been
greatly reduced cost From December /.
1874, to March 81, 1875, under the old plan,
1,5.7 tons were removed-an average OF Is
(under the Board OF Health, } 4,O2s tons were
collected and remOved-22 tons per day, the
cost being s., 1G0, or So % per ton. Thus 40
Will be seen there will be saving to the gov
eminent Of 81, 100 annually.
Necessary Liquidation,
Upon this subject the president says II
can only repeat the opinions heretofore ex-
pressed, that additional legislation is needed
to place more Immediately under the control
OF the Board of Health certain insanitary
agencies not at present submitted to their
direction except in partial degree Among
these may be included the cleaning of s.reatS
ard alleys; or sewer traps; the removal of
garbage; the power to make and enforce
suitable quarantine regulations, and To take
cognizance of whatever is dangerous to life
and limb. To these should be added the in
spection OF hospitals, wholly or partially
supplied at public expense; the determine
issuing of permits to such institn tint ms
These, and all other subjects involving sani-
ilary agencies or such as endanger life aud
hmb, Should be considered and disposed OF