The Home Medical Library, Volume 5 (of 6)

Volume V :: Sanitation

Edited by

THOMAS DARLINGTON, M.D.

Health Commissioner of New York City; Former President Medical Board, New York Foundling Hospital, etc.; Author of Medical and Climatological Works

WATER SUPPLY AND PURIFICATION

By WILLIAM PAUL GERHARD, C.E.

Consulting Engineer for Sanitary Works; Author of "House Drainage," "Sanitary Engineering," "Household Wastes," etc.

PURE FOOD FOR THE HOUSEKEEPER

By S. JOSEPHINE BAKER, M.D.

Medical Inspector, New York City Department of Health

THE HOUSE AND GROUNDS

By GEORGE M. PRICE, M.D.

Former Medical Sanitary Inspector, Department of Health, New York City; Author of "Tenement-House Inspection," "Handbook on Sanitation," etc.

NEW YORK

The Review of Reviews Company

1907

Copyright, 1907, by

THE REVIEW OF REVIEWS COMPANY

THE TROW PRESS, NEW YORK

Contents

PART I

CHAPTER PAGE

I. COUNTRY SOURCES OF WATER SUPPLY 19

Relation of Water to Health--Collection of Rain Water--Cisterns--Springs--Various Kinds of Wells--Laws Regulating Supply.

II. APPLIANCES FOR DISTRIBUTING WATER 39

Pumping Machines--The Hydraulic Ram--Use of Windmills--Engines--Steam and Electric Pumps--Reservoirs and Tanks--Appliances for Country Houses.

III. PURIFYING WATER BY COPPER SULPHATE 52

Clear Water Often Dangerous--Pollution Due to Plants--Copper Sulphate Method--Directions for the Copper Cure.

IV. RIDDING STAGNANT WATER OF MOSQUITOES 70

Malaria Due to Mosquitoes--Cause of Yellow Fever--Effect of a Mosquito Bite--Destruction of Larvae--Best Preventive Measures--Use of Kerosene.

PART II

I. HOW TO DETECT FOOD ADULTERATION 87

Definition of Adulteration--Food Laws--Permissible Adulterants--How to Select Pure Food--Chemical Tests.

II. MUSHROOM POISONING 112

Symptoms and Treatment--Coffee and Atropine the Best Antidotes--How to Tell the Edible Kind--"Horse," "Fairy-ring," and Other Varieties--Poisonous Species.

PART III

I. SOIL AND SITES 131

Constituents of the Soil--Influence on Health--Improving Defective Soil--Street Paving and Tree Planting--Proper Construction of Houses--Subsoil Drainage.

II. VENTILATION 146

What is Meant by Ventilation--Quantity of Air Required--Natural Agents of Ventilation--Special Appliances.

III. WARMING 160

Various Methods--Materials of Combustion--Chimneys--Fireplaces and Grates--Stoves--Hot-air Warming--Hot-water Systems--Principles of Steam Heating.

IV. DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE 170

Refuse and Garbage--Discharge into Waters--Cremation--Precipitation--Intermittent Filtration--Immediate Disposal, etc.

V. SEWERS 182

Definition--Materials Used in Construction--Levels of Trenches--Joints of Pipes--The Fall and Flow of the Contents--Connections--Tide Valves--Sewer Gas.

VI. PLUMBING 189

Purposes and Requisites--Materials Used--Joints and Connections--Construction of Traps--Siphonage and Back Pressure--The Vent-pipe System.

VII. PLUMBING PIPES 206

Construction of House Drains--Fall, Position, and Connection--Main Traps--Extension of Vertical Pipes--Fresh-air Inlets--Soil and Waste Pipes--Branch Pipes, etc.

VIII. PLUMBING FIXTURES 216

Sinks--Washbasins--Washtubs--Bathtubs--Refrigerators, etc.--Safes and Wastes--Pan, Valve, and Hopper Closets--Flush Tanks--Yard Closets--Drains.

IX. DEFECTS IN PLUMBING 231

Poor Work--Improper Conditions--How to Test Traps, Joints, and Connections--Detect Sewer Gas--Water-pressure, Smoke, and Scent Tests--Special Appliances.

X. INFECTION AND DISINFECTION 238

Physical and Chemical Disinfectants--Use of Sulphur Dioxide--Formaldehyde--Hydrocyanic Acid--Chlorine--Carbolic Acid--Bichloride of Mercury--Formalin--Potassium Permanganate, etc.

XI. COST OF CONVEYED HEATING SYSTEMS 254

Cost of Hot-air Systems--Cast-iron Hot-water Heater--Advantages and Disadvantages--Cost for a Ten-room House--Steam Heating--Cost of Equipment.

The Editor's Preface

The character and scope of this volume render it a most useful book for the home maker. The question of sanitation is one that closely affects the life of each individual, and many of its aspects are treated here in a lucid and comprehensive manner. Designed for wide distribution, these articles have been written to meet the needs of the dweller in the more densely populated communities, as well as those living in the less thickly settled portion of the country.

In large cities the water supply is a problem that is cared for by regularly constituted sanitary authorities. Pure water is a vital necessity, but the inhabitant of a city has no need to personally concern himself with the source of supply. In the country, however, the home builder must often decide the matter for himself, and it is the aim of this book to give him the needed directions for avoiding many errors and pitfalls that abound in this direction.

House construction, with its intricate problems, is also a more serious matter for the country dweller than for his city brother.

In the matter of food supply, the inhabitant of a country district is more fortunate. Fresh vegetables and dairy products are much more easily obtained, and their freshness and purity more dependable.

The article on water supply by Mr. Gerhard is authoritative, written, as it is, by a most eminent sanitarian. The publishers are to be congratulated upon the following valuable contribution to the same subject as regards the use of copper sulphate and the concise presentation of plans for mosquito extermination, while the extended work of Dr. Price and Dr. Baker's "Food Adulteration" are much to be commended. The two latter have been connected with the Department of Health of New York City, and have the advantage of experience in an organization which gives to the citizens of New York the protection to health that the wise use of science, knowledge, and money afford.

I trust that the notes I have added in the light of recent practice of the New York City Department of Health may make this material of the utmost practical value to the householder of to-day.

Through this Department of Health, New York City spent, during 1905, over $1,500,000, and for 1906 it has appropriated over $1,800,000. This vast sum of money is used for the sole purpose of safeguarding its citizens from disease. Sanitation in its varied branches is pursued as an almost exact science, and the efforts of trained minds are constantly employed in combating disease and promoting sanitation.

The cities care for their own, but the greater number of the inhabitants of this country must rely upon their individual efforts. Therefore, any dissemination of knowledge regarding sanitation is most worthy. This book has a useful mission. It is pregnant with helpful suggestions, and I most heartily commend its purpose and its contents.

THOMAS DARLINGTON, President of the Board of Health.

NEW YORK CITY.

Part I. Water Supply and

WATER SUPPLY AND PURIFICATION

WILLIAM PAUL GERHARD

CHAPTER I

=Country Sources of Water Supply=

The writer was recently engaged to plan and install a water-supply system for a country house which had been erected and completed without any provision whatever having been made for supplying the buildings and grounds with water. The house had all the usual appointments for comfort and ample modern conveniences, but these could be used only with water borrowed from a neighbor. In all parts of the country there are numerous farm buildings which are without a proper water-supply installation. These facts are mentioned to emphasize the importance of a good water supply for the country home, and to point out that water is unquestionably the most indispensable requirement for such structures.

Adequate Water Supply Important

But the advantages of a water supply are not limited to the dwelling house, for it is equally useful on the farm, for irrigation, and in the garden, on the golf grounds and tennis courts, in the barns and stables; it affords, besides, the best means for the much-desired fire protection. And, most important of all, an unstinted and adequate use of water promotes cleanliness and thereby furthers the cause of sanitation, in the country not less than in the city home.

The water supply for country houses has been so often discussed recently that the writer cannot hope to bring up any new points. This article should, therefore, be understood to offer simple suggestions as to how and where water can be obtained, what water is pure and fit for use, what water must be considered with suspicion, what water is dangerous to health, and how a source of supply, meeting the requirements of health, can be made available for convenient use.

Right here I wish to utter a warning against the frequent tendency of owners of country houses to play the role of amateur engineers. As a rule this leads to failure and disappointment. Much money uselessly spent can be saved if owners will, from the beginning, place the matter in experienced hands, or at least seek the advice of competent engineers, and adopt their suggestions and recommendations as a guide.

Points to be Borne in Mind

Many are the points to be borne in mind in the search for water. Science teaches us that all water comes from the clouds, the atmospheric precipitation being in the form of either rain, or dew, or snow. After reaching the earth's surface, the water takes three different courses, and these are mentioned here because they serve to explain the different sources of supply and their varied character.

A part of the water runs off on the surface, forming brooks, streams, and lakes, and if it falls on roofs of houses or on prepared catchment areas, it can be collected in cisterns or tanks as rain water. Another part of the water soaks away into pervious strata of the subsoil, and constitutes underground water, which becomes available for supply either in springs or in wells. A third part is either absorbed by plants or else evaporated.

In our search for a source of supply, we should always bear in mind the essential requirements of the problem. Briefly stated, these are: the wholesomeness of the water, the adequateness and steadiness of the supply, its availability under a sufficient pressure, insuring a good flow, and the legal restrictions with which many water-supply problems are surrounded.

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