Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-27
DR.. LeasSIre Criticized.

To the Editor of the Daily Globe:
1 notice that at the meeting of the
chamber of commerce yesterday there was
a communication by DR.. Leasure on SAM
tary matters. 1t was read by Mr.. McClung,
and while it contained some very valuable
hints and suggestions to persons interested
in sanitary matters its conclusions were
wholly at fault so far as they might apply
to city of the size of st. Paul.
The earth closet is all DR.. Leasure claims
for it, provided it is properly attended to
and cared for. By his own admission
there has to be certain rules and conditions
observed to insure the perfect working of
the closet, even under the most favorable
circumstances. Construction has to be
carefully attended to. He says s'there is
no basin or other obstruction to interfere
with any matter dropped down the well of
the closet" "the seat openings are closed
with drop lid when not in use," which
would go to show that an upward draught
occasioned by difference of temperature
would not be very desirable even where an
earth closet was used.
Further along he says, ''the same earth
may be used many times by re-drying it
and removing all bits of foreign matter
such assrags, paper, etc." Fancy a house
holder in st. Paul or vicinity, removing
all bits of foreign matter" from the refuse
of an earth closet, in order that the same
earth might be used again. We are also
told that certain per cent. of powdered
charcoal added to the dry earth will great
ly add to its deoderizing propensities." Of
course it will. He also states that "vith
proper exposure of the earthly receptacle
to free currents of air there is never the
least odor reaches the closet above" an
other proof that ventilation in connection
with this model earth closet is one of the
absolute requisites. To make this closet a
success 1t has to be constructed in accord
ance with the rules prescribed by the doc
tor, namely, that no part of it shall be sus-
ceptible to contamination by contact with
fluid, or solid particles of excrement. How
ever, the doctor fails to enlighten us as to
how such an earth closet could be built so
as to be all he claims for it.
At the last annual meeting of the Ameri-
can Public Health association. of which
body 1 have the honor of being a member.
held In indianapolis, Ind, the question of
earth closets was Informally discussed by
several prominent gentlemen interested in
sanitary science and the universal verdict
agreed upon was that for special or 1solat
ed cases earth closets would answer tenn
porary purpose. The fact is the earth
closet has its uses and the instance cited
by DR.. Leasure where it was used as an
hospital comode in Allegheny, Pa, during
the prevalence of smallpox is his only one
terable argument in its favor.
Where proper sanitary corps are organ
lied, as in cases of epidemics, the earth
closet is valuable sanitary adjunct. but
while it might be all that is claimed for it
in Red Wing, it very surely would not an
swer for st. Paul.
Its recommendation for general use is
simply preposterous. One might as well
recommend the old system in use in cities
ERf Scotland a century ago, where men
Wrapped in long gowns and carrying YES
sells with handles to them, stood on the
street corners, and ever and anon cried ont:
"Wha' wants me for penny" The doc
tor did not conclude his interesting paper
without giving the usual fling at the plumb
er and the supposed perfect water cIoset.''
For the benefit of the doctor I will state
that there are at least two perfect sanitary
water closets now in the market, and when
ers, having full size ventilation pipes and
ample flushing, they are perfectly safe,
and where the same precaution is taken
with other fixtures, such as wash-stands.
sinks, etc., there is no possibility of foul
air escaping into rooms or dwellings,.
In all cases the drainage of buildings
should be constructed in accordance with
the rule so well known to sanitarians who
have given that branch of sanitary science
any attention.
Now, as for the much reviled plumber. |
will only say that if persons who are com
PEELED to have plumbing work done would
only make some inquiries as to the stand
ing, mechanical ability and honesty of the
menengaged in this branch of business be-
fore intrusting their work to be done, they
would have less cause to complain about
bad work, over charges, etc. Find capa-
BILE plumber, give him fair price, and
you will get an honest job. Respectfully.
w. j. FREANEY, Sanitary Engineer.
The Sirth Ward Election.
To the Editor of the Globe: