Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-08-29
TIE HOUSEHOLD.
The kitchen sink aud II. Adiuuo,..

The Kitchen sink aud Its Adjuncts.
The model sink is Of iron with pipes so
arranged that il may be flushed or plugged
and treated to a bath Of soda water or So
luton of carbolic acid as often as desira
BILE and with a drain pipe of iron or thing
to carry the water underground TO n good
distance from the dwelling house.
Instead Of this very many housewives
have to do their best with wooden sink,
often implanted, and roughly stoned
drain which allows the water to seep off
through the soil and perhaps contaminate
the drinking water in the well or the wa
ter is conducted in wooden trough under
or overground which becoming water
soaked gives off sickening odors TO find
their way into the house through the dis
charge pipe of the sink Undoubtedly in
such a case reform should he commenced
out of doors and drain of some material
wholly impervious to water should be at
once laid. If unable to get this done the
only way left for the careful housewife is
to exclude the foul air as much as possible,
and having an intelligent regard for the
health of her family she will not neglect TO
do so. Flood the pipes with hot soda wa
ter at least once a week and whenever the
sink is not in actual use have a tightly fit
ting cork in the vent Especially see that
this is in place during the night, that the
foul gases may not escape to poison the air
of sleeping rooms and so endanger health
and life. Diphthera and kindred diseases
are often directly traceable 10 such causes.
If the sink is of iron take out the per
forated cap and use the cork just the same.
If it is of wood have it painted with good,
hard paint that will Withstand the action
of water and then dry it thoroughly as Of
ten as the work of the family will permit
A water. soaked sink is an abomination that
should not be tolerated. Some housekeep
ers with a view TO more easily keeping a
sink clean, throw the dirtiest Of kitchen
slops, greasy dishwater and the like, out of
rear door This makes sight in no
way pleasing and is a multiplication Of nui
sances, two places requiring sanitary meas
ures instead of one.
Keep a well-painted, wide mouthed tun
mel in the sink, cupboard or other conven
lent place and when about to wash dishes
insert it in the mouth of the discharge pipe
and turn all dirty, greasy water through it.
Then when cleaning the sink the tunnel
may be washed and put out of sight again
Have also a bit of board or tin handy up
on which TO set pots or kettles while wash
ing them. By observing few simple pre-
cautions like these the work of caring for
even an Imprinted sink need not be ardu
Gus. All sponges, cloths and brushes used
about it should be kept scrupulousy clean
and dried as often as possible.
Where the drain pipe ends and the sew
age is allowed to flow off on the surface of
the ground it is well to plant some strong
growing annual like the sun flower, apple
of Peru, or ragged sailor :" it will take
up much of the moisture and also hide un-
sightliness When nothing Of this kind
is done the place should be disinfected occa-
sionally. For this purpose dissolve seven
pounds of sulphate Of iron--copperas-in
three gallons Of water and a pint Of fluid
carbolic acid. Stir until thoroughly mixed
and gradually pour it upon the ground ev
cry hour or two until the whole of the fou
surface has been permeated by the fluid
aud so disinfected