Water closets versus privies, practically considered in reference to Manchester and Salford : being the substance of a paper read before the Manchester and Salford Saniatry Association, January 29, 1869 / by John Newton.

  • Manchester and Salford Sanitary Association.
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: Water closets versus privies, practically considered in reference to Manchester and Salford : being the substance of a paper read before the Manchester and Salford Saniatry Association, January 29, 1869 / by John Newton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ventilating flue or settle in the ashpit will depend upon the state of the atmosphere and the existence or non-existence of a fire in the cottage kitchen. If it ascend the flue, and if the surrounding air be cooler than the discharged sewer gases, some portion will, in all probability, descend the nearest bedroom flue. It is well known that at times downward currents exist in these, and thus at times there would exist a free circulation of sewer gases through the dwelling, the bedroom flue serving as a down-cast and the kitchen flue as an up-cast. It is, nevertheless, a source of satisfaction to find that the authorities of Manchester and Salford are impressed with the importance of this subject and the absolute necessity for some change. But I submit, with all due deference to their opinion, and to the opinions of their indefatigable medical officers, that the contemplated alterations will not accomplish the desired results. They may, and if carried out no doubt will, mitigate the nuisance, but they will not destroy it. The proposed changes, involving an expenditure of upwards of half-a-million sterling, mainly consist in an occasional covering of the night-soil with ashes, and the construction of ventilating flues which will, in many cases, create a nuisance where none at present exists. I submit that nothing short of a complete and speedy removal of all excrementitious matters from our midst will prove effective. Their retention has hitherto been a curse to the community and the only possible cure consists in their entire and speedy removal We are thus brought* to a consideration of the water-closet system. By this process all excreta are at once removed, and with the aid of proper drainage and appliances the removal is accomplished without giving rise to the slightest inconvenience or nuisance of any kind. A glazed earthenware hopper and trap constitute the simplest and best description of closet for cottages. The water supply is regulated by means of a small iron cistern, so constructed, that a given quantity of water is supplied when wanted without permitting