On the size of house drains, and the use and misuse of traps / by John Honeyman.

  • Honeyman, John, 1831-1914.
Date:
[1887]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the size of house drains, and the use and misuse of traps / by John Honeyman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

    13/18 (page 13)
    created by nature may ultimately be evaporated, diffused and glyen up to it, for its own atmospheric purposes, to be subsequently returned according to the natural and unfathomable laws that control the universe° This natural process of distribution, or action of atmo- spherical* conditions, it is the absolute duty of humanity not to aid or inconsiderately feed with any impurities whatsoever but where it can and as it can, stamp such unhealthy actions out. Hence, it water is used for getting rid of animal impurities—and which I see no avoidance of for reasons I have given elsewhere—it should only and solely be used under the following condition, viz.: to be held up at pleasure, and overflow so as to obtain increased power for removal, and to obtain at the same time the actually most favourable conditions and powers for the deodorization, the sterilizing and the destruction of all impurities within its grasp. With the short time at my com- mand, the house drain less requires explanation as to how it can hold liquid and exclude air; but for sewer requirements I can best convey what I desire to do to the meeting, if our friend Mr. Honeyman, who read a paper here this morning, will kindly allow me to explain my views by a reference to the model he has favoured us with and brought here to explain his system for the better ventilation of drains: a con- dition I am taking the opposite view on. Mr. Honeyman's « model shows a quasi sub-drain; that is, a drain with a p smaller drain in it at the bottom, not joined in the middle, * as the two divisions have a free communication with each other by a horizontal and longitudinal opening throughout: the object being, I understand, to contract a circular space for sewage at the bottom, and provide a permanent air circular reser- voir at the top for ventilation. My view is, that_ it would be better that the semi-division between this dual form of drain should be entirely closed up, so that the two parts be without any connection one with the other ; that the lower (the sewage) drain should be always full and running over and away, as before described by me; and that the upper one should i be of the size for a man to pass through it easily, and other- wise should be only used for surface and storm waters : the lower drain would then, equally with the house drain, be in precisely the condition required for the artificial correction or sterilizing of all fouled liquids entering therein, and so that, by absence of emission of any deleterious vapour, a source of nuisance and ill-health to humanity may be removed. Though I should like to say a great deal more as to the considerations foreshadowed and as to many details ; still I have, Mr. Chairman, in essence, expressed the views I have formed on the sewage question, holding firmly to the definite standpoint, that liquids must [Note by the Editor.—It ia presumed that, in Mr. Newton's case, the pipes would be kept full by the syphon being above instead of below the general level of the pipes. It is to be hoped that both Mr. Honeyman and Mr. Newton will hereafter prepare further details, showing the application of their respective principles to an ordinary London residence of the first class.]