The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-18
lFor the Dispatcli.l
ScMcr.GaSa

How to remedy the evil consequences Of
the escape Of mephetic gases from the pipes
and sewers OF the city is very properly en-.
gaging public attention. The community
are indebted to those who have already
made suggestions on this important sub
.iect; and "L. S. J.'' has left but little to
add to his clear and practical remarks in
the paper Of the 10th instant.
1t has, however, occurred to the writer
that plan both simple and comparatively
inexpensive may be adopted by which free
dom from gas-poison rs well in the streets
as in the houses of the city shall be secured.
During warm weather, both in winter and
summer, in passing any one OF the openings
to the sewers at the street-corners, the pre-
sence offoul aid is often detected. At times
it pervades an entire neighborhood, charg.
ing the atmosphere with its disgusting and
poisonous effluvia. This commencement
Of death-dispensing air is generally caused
outer atmosphere, by which the air in the
culverts is induced to work out, in order to
reestablsh the equilibrium thus disturbed.
81. S. j." has accounted for the escape OF
gas into the houses, and it is only necessary
now to suggest some plan which will afford
a remedy for the general evil.
To effect this it will be only necessary to
establish along the course of the main
sewer or sewers towards their openings at
the river 4 continuous and powerful cur
rent of air, so that under no circumstances
can the regurgitation referred to above ever
occur. Should this be done pipes and con-
duits most remote from the mouths OF the
sewers would feel the influence, and the
dwellings OF the city be entirely drained Of
the gases now so prevalent in them. How,
then, shall this current be established? The
writer suggests, to this end, that series OF
wheel-fans be placed within and near the
mouths Of the main sewers ut such an ele-
vation above their floors as to allow the
otfal to escape; that these fans be caused to
revolve rapidly by machinery driven by a
small steam-engine, by water, or wind
mill, so located that the power can be trans
mtted by wire-rope protected in boxes I'M
der ground, &c. The outer current OF air
thus produced would have the effect OF
driving towards the mouth Of the sewer the
efluyia which now float along these dark
and damp highways, and which now and
then rise up from their denS like destroying
angels.
1t has been found that sllrface-drainage
is far preferable to sewerage-the health
of community adopting the former gen.
orally being better than il the latter be re-
sorted to. 1t would be wise, then, to close
the openings of the sewers at the street
corners and allow the rain currents to flow
over the surface. In the present frm con-
dition OF the streets this surface-Water
could do no harm, and would relieve the
sewers of the rush OF waters which other
wise might sweep off the proposed reyoly-
ing fans. 1t may be objected to this that
the otial in the culverts would not be wash
ed out If the supply Of water were thus cut
oil. TO this it may be replied that enough
water is now furnished for this purpose
from the numerous closets. hydrants, and
bathrooms contributing to this end, and
when there is no fall Of ram.
To avoid the inconvenience caused by a
flood in the river (nOtice OF whose approach
is always given in tme) a properly-con-
structed gate should be arranged to close up
the mouth OF the main sewer temporarily or
until the flood shall have subsidized. How,
then, it will be asked, can the air just put
in motion, and which is to carry of the nox-
iolls gases, be allowed to escape? To meet
this contingency vent should have been
previously provided by the erection OF 4
strong chimney-stack Just over the end of
the culyert, and sufficiently high to escape
inundation. Through this the current Of
air could find exit until the waters Of the
river should have returned to their normal
level.
The suggestions herein made, it is hoped,
will at least have the effect Of exciting such
action in the premises as shall in the future
secure the end desired. CITIZEN.