Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-11
PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL.
Report q the Acting Health OAlcsr - to
Defective Plumbing

Defective Plumbing.
Some days ago Commissioner Ross called the
attention Of the health office to reports that
the plumbing and sanitary arrangements Of
Providence Hospital were defective and asked
that an inspection be made. Today the acting
health officer. Mr.. J. C. McGinn, made a report
to Commissioner Ross on the subject a. follows:
In accordance with the instructions con-
tanned in your letter Of the LIST instant have
made personal inspection Of the building occu-
pied by the Providence Hospital. being accom-
panied at the time of inspection by Inspector
Of Plumbing Robinson and Sanitary Inspector
Shepherd.
The principal portion Of the drainage work
in this building was constructed previous to
the passage of the plumbing regulations and
much OF it is what is known as old style plumb
ing.
The sewerage system consists Of q main
drain of thirty or thIrty-six inch terra Gotta
pipe running north from the center Of the
building to and connecting with the main
sewer on d street. Laterals from three stacks
wings of the building, and to which closets,
path and other fixtures are attached, converge
on this main drain at center of the building, as
does also a lateral from the fixtures in the
southwest or new wing.
The main sewer having been constructed at
period previous to the introduction of the
more modern appliances is not provided with
the usual running trap and fresh air inlet to
prevent the return Of sewer air. Il therefore
all the lines Of pipe referred Z. 70 subject to
whatever pressure there may be rom the main
sewer. Each of the upright lines was subjected
to the test with oil of peppermint and the es-
Gaping odors disclosed a serious defect in the
SOIL pipe In northwest wing, proved that the
covers Of the hand holes of many Of the traps
under water closets are defective. that the rain
water leaders opening under windows are with
out traps and that many of the plumbing fix
tnres are not either properly trapped or VEN
tilated.
In the principal ward the closets are in dark
unventiiated rooms, opening directly into the
ward proper.
All the closets in the northwest wing have
iron traps under them into which the waste
from baths and basins empty. All Of these
fixtures are old, effectively constructed and
much worn.
In the northwest wing there are q set Of
latrines and at each discharge they syphon the
traps Of all small plumbing fixtures in close
proximity thereto.
The sink In northwest wing has no trap and
the iron waste pipe leading from it was found
in bad condition.
The closet in basement adjoining the engine
room is located in dark unventilated place,
and was found in bad order.
The overflow pipes attached to tanks in attic
from which water in the building is used are
connected directly with the sewer without be-
ing trapped.
The four-inch cast iron pipe extended above
the fixtures In the northwest wing and carried
into chimney has become corroded to such an
extent as to be easily brokon with the hand.
The hospital authorities were notified of ex-
listing conditions after the inspection and have
been furnished with a copy of this report.