National Republican., 1878-05-02
SEWER GAs.
A Sure Remedy Found at Lasa


One Of the most annoying and alarming hing
which for years has disturbed persons residing In
cities has been the imperfect drainage OF their
houses Especially within the last few years since
the drefl effects resulting from the return OF fed
gases from the sewers have been fully investigated
and understood the feeling Of insecurity has grown
until nearly every householder has been demand
Ing and sanitarans and scientific mon have been
experimenting W find, some sure and perfect rem.
edy against the evil II is a well established iact
That IL al cities Snd .sPesii,s,y esp i,s shSse a ny Snt
OF rivers where the discharges OF the sewers s below
high tide) the public health Is affected TO an alarm
ing extent by the return Into the dwellings OF these
fetid and noxious gnses, Forced back by the water
and permeaie the whole house and vitiate the At
mosphere and produce miasmns, fevers, and infec-
tioui diseases All heretofore known barriers have
proved unavailing and II seemed that residents of
cities with sewer systems were at the mercy OF hn
Il remained ior . Washington man, a victim
himself to the evil effects Of sewer gas, to inpents
umns spoken Of the sewer.vsye trap invented by
Mr.. W. r. Downey, and stated that wherevor hed
been tried II had proved 70 DC snr. pren.hs sns
we deem II our duty again, as the season sp
proaches when these gases are generated more
largely and their effects arc more nS de%aS ETafy
head Of family owes II to himself his family, and
70 the community to do all In his power 70 re,noSe
the cause Of sickness, especially when can pc
done by 20 simple, yet enectual. device as the
Downey sewer-trap.
Were this trap simply an experiment, we wonld
not speak In such positive terms OF reconimenuh'
ton oft but i has passed beyond thatIti Is NO
longer confined to theory Mr.. Downey has spent
several yes Of patient hard labor and 'hoSsspas
come to be u positive practical safeguard against
the ills spoken Of IN proof OF this, u proof were
stinted iudorsenicnt OF the invention by Governor
Shepherd, Commissioner Phelps, Architect LOW
man Mr. Msrean, Assistant superthtenIent Mest.
ern Onion Telegraph, and many other all oi whoin
doing without II than they would think OF doing
without ply II tines 2, ssve,e ssaiSs, hack
Row we might cite the fact that during the storm
Of Sunday last In certain northern portions OF the
Hooded 10 several feet while houses Immediately
adjoining and as badly situated, having the rap
attached, were entirely fee from wafer u relne ~
absolute impossblity for back.how to penetrate The
trap. ,o,, -, ,on,,,,,,,o,
form Of his trap adapted especially 70 street eUrier,
and other outside openings in sewers, which VIII
entirely prevent the escape into the surrounding
atmosphere Of the fetid gases now SO geiietslIy
poisoning tie air Of the city, and at the SAME line
preventing any danger OF the explosion OF sewers,
which has been the fault of oil other similarinNen'
| tons ,. =.
chance 10 m Dnstate the usefulness Of his trap In
| this connection. ,,, -,
tects have given the Downey trap their indorse'
ncut TO the extent of including II In their specl'
cations for buildings. We ars truly glad OF this
fact for We are convinced that the adoption OF this
| Invention will add greatly 10 the public health
and Il is an old and true axiom that Public health
&r. Downcy goes East this week to introduce his
| trap into other cities. -.
lie has had frequent calls for his trap from other
localities hut he was conscientious about II thai
| he would not introduce 1t elsewhere until he had
| demonstrated its success at home; lie now goes
| armed with the Endorsement of all VINO nave uieu
| t. among whom are numbered many oil our most
| prominent citizens.
| We know that he will meet success for II only re-
auires the slightest Investigation 70 prove his III
| vention Ineritorous and useful.
| We add the Endorsement Of our business mana
| ger to the merits 0i this invention:
WASHINGTON. May l. 1878
| ". r. DOlrneu. esq., -, -. -
| DEAR sin; The patent sewer.trap which you re.
Gently put In at my house works lerfectly anu has
| entirely iemeded the How OF sewer gas thro9ghou,
the house which had become NO had AZ TO cnonnsei
\ The health Of my family. Al times would ns y
dangerous that had TO close the pipes entirely " OF
der 10 use my rooms. No person suffering nou
sewer Is should be without one OF your impI9See
trays Yours truly, IL IL CLhFr'