Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 33.djvu/317

Rh Our basins, baths, and pantry-sinks have been made with over-flow openings connecting with pipes concealed from view and entirely inaccessible for cleaning. These overflow-pipes invariably become receptacles for filth, and the emanations from them are always offensive and dangerous. The new patterns of basins, sinks, and baths have the overflows in the form of a short, movable stand-pipe set in a recess at the back or end of the fixtures. This stand-pipe serves also as an outlet-plug. When raised from its seat by a simple lifting device, it permits the escape of waste-water, and by a single movement it is readily detached from its place for cleaning (Fig. 7).

The overflow-pipe of our common set-basins forms a receptacle for the accumulation of a thick deposit of filthy slime in its interior, which, by putrefying, pollutes the air of houses to a dangerous degree (Fig. 8). Since the interior of this pipe is quite inaccessible for purposes of cleansing, there is no remedy for the evil except by abandoning the use of this old form of fixture, which has also other equally objectionable features. The chain attached to the outlet-plug invariably collects a great quantity of filth in its numerous well-protected recesses and on the entire irregular surface of the links. It is almost impossible to remove this filthy accumulation by any ordinary means, and the continued use of a household fixture of this kind by different persons is offensive to good taste, and violates the generally accepted standards of personal cleanliness established by ordinary hygienic principles.

Our common water-closets in general use have so many serious faults of design and construction as to demand especial consideration in this connection. Some of the most costly and elaborate patterns recently designed and put upon the market are dangerous and unfit for use. Delicately tinted and fancifully molded shapes of porcelain or earthenware are no guarantees of safety. Sanitary requirements in the construction of water-closets are so clearly defined that the essential features can be readily understood from a brief enumeration.