A handbook of hygiene and sanitary science / by George Wilson.

  • Wilson, George, 1811-1897.
Date:
1879
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A handbook of hygiene and sanitary science / by George Wilson. 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.

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    disadvantages, that the constant system should always he adopted wherever it can be carried out. The use of cisterns, except on a small scale, for water-closets and boilers, is open to the great objection of the risk of con- tamination of the water, for not only are the cisterns liable to become fouled if not sufficiently protected against the entrance of aerial impurities, but the water is apt to become tainted with sewer-gases, which may enter the cistern through the overflow pipe. Moreover, in poorer districts, the cisterns are often of a very inferior descrip- tion, are badly situated, and are seldom inspected or cleaned out. To meet this objection, it has been pro- posed to have one large tank for the supply of a group of houses,—the tank to be under the immediate inspec- tion of the water-work officials, and to be filled daily, and the householders to be supplied through small pipes con- stantly charged. It is further urged against the inter- mittent system, that the distribution pipes, being alter- nately wet and dry, are liable to collect dust and the effluvia from sewers or drains. The objections to the constant system, on the other hand, are the great waste when the fittings are imperfect, and an insufficient de- livery when the water-supply. is not abundant. The diameters of the pipes for constant service should there- fore be carefully adapted to their discharges and to the head of pressure; the drawing taps ought to be valve- cocks to open and shut with a screw; and the town should be efficiently provided with distributing basins, so that an extra flow of water in one district would not in- . terfere with the requisite supply of other parts. With proper fittings, strict regulations, and efficient supervision, it is now clearly established that a constant supply re- quires a less amount of water than an uncontrolled inter- mittent supply, so that even on the score of economy the constant system is to be preferred.