National Republican., 1878-10-08
A WARRINGTON INVENTOR ABROAD.
Success. Of the Downey sewer-Trap.


We notice by the Philadelphia and New
York papers that Mr.. W. F. Downey, Of this
city, Is meeting with marked success In the
introduction Of his scwer.trap In those cities.
This Is as 1t should be, aud as we predicted
after first examining his invention. Nothing
could bo clearer than that the Downey Sewer.
Trap Is the most perfect trap ever constructed,
and we were all the time certain that 1t only
needed TO be brought TO the notice of persons
versed In sanitary science to receive thoir un-
qualified approval and Endorsement. One
committee Of health officers, after thorough
examination and test, say
at Is the most perfect trap we have ever
seen, combining three very important clc'
ments first, the valve preventing back how;
secondly, the ventilation taken on the outside
Of the water-scal serving the double purpose Of
preventing siphonagc OF the traps, aud the pas.
sage 1f tho gas through the water; thirdly,
furnishing fresh air ventilation to the house.
pipe, aud the projection Of the sOil.pipes be.
y0nd the roof to secure this ventilation aud
eliminate such gases IA may be generated with
| in the building. This construction includes
all the elements of perfect trap, and remedies
| the present system just where 1t Is most de-
| fpctivc."
| The American Institute of New York has
offered a special medal for the best sewer-trar,
| aud Mr.. Downey has entered his for competi.
tion, and has already ons In practical opera
tiou, which is attracting general attention.
The following Is what the Philadelphia En-.
gnirer has 20 say OF the trap:
4 DEADLY ENEMY CoSQUERED-AN APPLr.
| ASCE WHICH WILL REALLY PREVENT THE
EsCAPE OF SEWER GASES INTO DWELLINGS
SIMPLE DEVICE FOR CORRECTING FOUL
oDoRs FROM ISLETs
The Board of Health, upon q report from its
sanitary committee, which thoroughly exam
iued and tested the appliance, has given an
unqualified Endorsement TO u newly discovered
| mode Of preventing tho escape of sewer ga:
into premises connected by drains with sewers
How to accomplish this object has for q Ions
time been one of tho most important question:
of sanitary science, and the public mind ha'
boon especially excited on the subject since tn,
torribc effects Of imperfect drainage have bee,
made so apparent In tho yellow fever ravagc
in tho South, and by the serious prevalence o
typhoid and other types Of fever in this city
Tho trouble has been that, In the multiplicit,
of patented sewer.traps, none OF them wer
really effective against the dissemination o
tho poisonous odors which insidiously sprea'
disease and death through so many homes.
| The device above referred to Is Downey'
automatic sewer valve trap, whose usefulness
when other appliances Of the kind have failed
has been amply demonstrated in this city
| Washington, and other cities. The sanitar
committee Of the Board OF Health found th
two most beneficial features Of Mr.. Downoy
discovery to be those which provide for a pei
l. feet ventilation Of all the pipes on the prem
A scs aud prevent absolutely what Is commonl
9 known as the back fOw." These effects al
obtained, first, by making a connection with
$ chimney huc from the trap aud, second, b
e means Of a rubber. faced valve, which, while
. readily admits Of the passage Of sewage towar
d the culvcrt or sewer, absolutely closes, aut
natically, against any back flow from thu
/. source. The Downcy trap Is always clean, h
cause II shuts of all connection between IL
& house and the sewer, aud keeps current
n pure air passing constantly through the pip
"a connected with the trap, making perfect sea
and preventing what Is termed siphOnag
+, Testimony as to the great value Of this II
" vention as q health prcservCr comes not on
'e from our Board OF Health but also fro
a. Messrs. J. Futhey Smith, Brodie. * Comfol
~ :, Stumbach aud Love, C.. C.$lcssmg, NJ
~ Liennn, and numerous other sCicutiG
plumbers OF this and other cities where 1t l.
u been put to a practical test.
u Asa sort OF supplement to this inrenti
~ Mr. Downey has made another which mCC
N with the approval OF the Board OF Health. a
'd has boon by the latter recommended 10 the
tcntion of the Highway department. This !!
X. simple attachment by which street corner /
III lets may be kept constantly trcshcncd
I'd turning on a stream OF water which will hI
Il. into the bottom Of tho trap as they are NC
ID built This dow is so simple, and withal so
fyciive. that 1t Is really a matter Of surpr
a. that practical sewer.builACTs did not long a
Ii. dovisc something of the kind for the inlcts
at the city, 50 many Of which are a const0
or course OF complaint on account Of the pcstil,
he tial odors they emit.
IL