Evening star., 1886-11-10


pipe still exist under the floor, and where
there is no ventilation for the drains or traps
OF fixtures. secured an analysis of the air of
one of the best houses built about fifteen years
ago and herewith enclose the same. This house
mas oath rooms on the second and third floors,
with stationary wash basins in the bed rooms.
round all the plumbing fixtures in the house
trapped, but no extension OF the soil or waste
pipes a5ove the roof and no ventilation OF the
the dangers to which they are exposed in oc-
cnpying such houses. and the public will not
De safe until landlords and agents
are held responsible before the law and prose
cuted tor their criminal negligence" The
analysis referred to was made by Prof. f. j.
that he found in the Condensed @ moist moisture .sS
milllgrammes Of free ammonia per liter parts
per million and 1. .S5 milli9rammes albummoid
ammonia says the condensed moisture was
also tested by the gelatine test, which proved
1t to be putrescibie alter twenty-four hours The
of germs and bacteria in the moisture. The
chemist ADDS: "The enormous percentage of
organic matter and the other tests and exami-
nations indicate the emanatiOn of sewer gas in
this room. The necessity OF having plumbing
based on scientific principles and its thorough
ventilation Is hereby demonstrated"
BAD CONDITION OF SCHOOL HOUSES.
Mr.. Robinson states that he has recently
made thorough inspection of all the public
school buildings in the District and he urges
the Importance of additional appropriations
for the reconstruction of the drainage system
OF the old school houses, erected before the reg
uIatlons governing such work were in opera
tion here. He thinks special appropriation
OF not less than SO 900 will be required to put
dition.
CHANGE IN PUBLIC SENTIMENT.
"a retrospect" Mr.. Robinson says, "shows
marked change in the public sentiment upon
matters of sanitation within the periods of the
operations of his Office The standard of COM
1ort he says, has been materially elevated since
tnen. On the part of tenants Indifference has
gwen way to the greatest solicitude, and it is
gratifying to know that renters now frequently
nnd out the plumbers who did the work, and
inquire as to his character, and search with
great care for the reputation OF "a house they in
tenu 10 occupy. Then tenant was satisfied if
the Stops disappeared when thrown iEto the
sink, and cared not if the soil saturated
with purifying sewage from disjointed drains.
Now the removal to the public sewer must be
rapid and absolute. Then the waste pipe from
kitchen sink might be untrapped and with
lions which betoued the atmosphere of
the Kitchen without protest comment.
NOW the sink waste must be properly laid to
prevent greasy accumulatiODs-the trap must
be IN place and securely ventilated. Then the
sink Itself might be foul receptacle boxed in
anu about with decaying wood, which might
conceal the accumu ulating nastiness OF an un-
tioy servant without suspicion OF any un-
cleanliness. Now The kitchen sink must be a
ings open to ulI benoIders. Then the laundry
tuos might be of soft and porous wood saIu-
rated with filth or disease germs, loathsome to
sight and smell-the vehicle for cont .gion
wituout objection on the part OF the indifferent
tenant or helpless lodger How many helpless
children have been sacrificed through the
spread of disease by wooden wash trays! Now
thls nXture must be absolutely impervious and
as open as the day. Then the water closet
might De nauseating with accumulated filth,
ana placed in dark and unventiated rooms;
the bath tub might be untrapped and
Ne Na co,n basin disgns,ng in all its ways.
were securely boxed in, and the waste matter
did not run through the ceiling below. Now
the cioset must nave no concealed surface to be
polluted, The bath and basin he RI, nOa1
and ventilated the spaces about must be open
70 Inspection and the room must have open air
ventilation aud ample light. Then the drains
might begin at the fixture and terminate any
where; now the connection with the public
saver Sc must be Isolated from the dwelling, with
the running trap and vent openiiigs and open
end above the root, and through ali its course
the skilliul hand of master workman must
give assurance OF absolete protection ia every
joint.
The profession of heating does not occupy a
more important place in the economy OF do
iilestlc iiie tuan the trade OI plumbing, and its
avenues should be guarded from the operati tions
Oh the botcn and the scamp with the greatest
sollcltude. For several years have repeated
my recon mendationS Tor greater safeguards in
the matter OF registration, and must here re-
new them.
THE DEPARTMENT BUILDINGS.
During the past year have, by request, made
inspections Of several OF the department build
ings OF the general government To attempt a
description of the conditions found there would
be considered sensational, and must hope tnat
Congress may enact such legislation as will
place all departmental buildings, as we'll all
hotels, boarding and lodging houses under the
restrictions OF the rules vi this Office. AT pre-
sent, persons not specially trained in matters OF
sanitation are placed in absolute control of
public buildings, where they are met with pro-
blems, the solution vi which requires extensive
practical information 10 prevent the waste OF
the public money and to protect the public
health. Most OF the department buildings and
many hotels employ workmen VINO may he q
steam filter, blacksmith or jack Oil all trades,
ana 10 him isgiven the work OF repairing steam,
gas and water pipes where his incOmpetency
may 40 no harm; but he is also permitted to
tamper with the drains to cut into and patch
up as they choose, regardless of all established
rules, with the result that most of the depart
Inent buildings are deplorably detective, and IL
the hotels are in a better condition it il by
chance, and not owing to restrictions OF leyis-
latiOn."