The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-07
had Bricks Against Good Health.

To Editor Of the Times:
From time immemorial bricks have been
used by man for residential and useful pur-
poses, and would call attention to the part
they play to-day in the sanitary condition of
this CITY. Many Of them made are Of so low
a grade that leads one 10 conclusions which
are of vital interest to every man. woman
and child in the city Of Richmond. Ma
turally Richmond presents all the con-
ditions which should secure health and
small death-rate. Location as TO climatic
influences all that could be desired, cover
ing seven hills affording all advantages Of
drainage IL utilized with understanding.
But small sewers, improperly constructed
and upon lines not in accord with the ma
turRl topography, tell sickenng tale OF
Deaths work when aided and abetted by
that dread monster who turks within our
homes--invislble 10 the unskilled eye-in
bad plumbing improper closets and their
connections and the third monster who is
untiring in his obedience 10 his master. al
luval adobe bricks
These bricks are usually made from
q porous silcOus soil of flats or slopes,
which are Of easy access and facility with
which it can be shaped-by crude machine
ry-pOssibly less perfect and less skilled
than the machinery and workers TO the
Tower Of Babel; Characteristic soil OF the
fat lands of the Nile, which required straw
TO be mixed with them 10 give them
strength 10 hold together until placed into
kil1s and dried out with a little straw fuel,
and then placed into walls, which IN that
hot climate, thermometer ranging from 80
TO ll5 degrees in the shade for weeks and
months, rendered these moist adobe houses
acceptable.
How many loads Of bricks are daily
hauled 10 buildings in this city which upon
test by twelve hours immersion IN waite,
will take up from three-fOurths 10 one pound
Of water which means from forty-hve 10
sixty-three gallons Of water TO every I'VE
hundred bricks. If saturated. Such bricks
will drink up water with as much avidlty as
a drunkard will whisky. and when storms
beat against outside walls and capillary at
traction drinks the water from the soil. Is
il q wonder that we feel that dank, moist
sensation in our rooms in moderate weather,
and that chilly, damp feeling IN cool
weather. They say sheets Of slate at ground
line prevents the latter. Yes. as much as
an umbrella will keep our feet dry IN
storm.
Hence. living ia such houses, consump-
ton. pneumonia throat and malarlal dis
eases are abundant. and when associated
with bad plumbing and improper sewerage
is il surprising with the muddy and impure
James river water thrown in that Rich
mond city is unhealthy, and in few years
will excel Calcutta in her death rates;
The Handwriting upon the wall 10 plain,
and those who desire TO live and exercise
moderate precautions against disease and
epidemics had better act
A remedy in part 10 these adobe bricks
would be for gentlemen never 10 give their
brick work TO manufacturers Of brick, as
the best Of the kilns are sold and the re-
fused worked into the buildings.
Secondly. Have sample bricks submitted
before signing the contract; then place a SUI
pervising architect or q competent person to
see that none under that grade are worked
into the building.
A fair brick of aluminous clay will not alb
sorb more than one-sixteenth TO one-tenth
Of It's weight of water. If over this proper
ton you NAV expect damp walls which all
the dictums will never make dry. &. u.