Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 33.djvu/321

Rh the fresh, pure air of the mountains, often return to houses which have upholstered furniture, carpets, curtains, and heavy draperies saturated with the foul and poisonous air of sewers and drains which has had unrestricted entrance to the deserted houses for months at a time.

It will be noticed that the lower end of the flushing-pipe shown in Fig, 12 is divided, one orifice being connected with the flushing-rim and the other with a small opening at the bottom of the



bowl. When the valve in the tank is raised, the lower opening allows a strong jet of water to be thrown upward toward the outlet. This forcibly expels a portion of the contents of the bowl and lowers the water and waste matters into the neck, whence they are ejected by the combined action of the upper and lower flushing-streams. A strong wash descending from the flushing-rim cleanses the bowl thoroughly and afterward refills it to the level of the trap-outlet. The discharge of the closet is almost noiseless, since the lower orifices of the flushing-pipe are submerged.

Considerable space has been given to a description of the most common defects of plumbing fixtures, for the reason that these imperfections are usually the unsuspected source of danger to life and health in houses where the plumbing is most elaborate and costly. Poor material in the drain-pipes and leaky joints are readily recognized perils that may be easier avoided because they are better understood. It may be well, in conclusion, to note a few important points that should be observed in every well-designed system of house-drainage.

The plumbing should be concentrated as much as possible, so