Handbook on sanitation. A manual of theoretical and practical sanitation

Front matter

Class.

Book ^3_5I

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Preface

In this era of intense interest in all matters relating to public health and practical sanitation, no defence is needed for the presentation of a new book on the subject, especially as the book presents the matter in a form hitherto unexploited.

Municipal Sanitation has made giant strides within the last decade; and the circle of those whose duties compel them to make a special study of sanitary questions has been considerably widened within the last few years.

The number of inspectors in the various municipal health, building, sanitary, and other similar departments, is already quite large, and the tendency is to a further augmentation of their number.

Moreover, the time when inexperienced men could be 'appointed as Sanitary and Health Inspectors has passed, and certain quite important and strict qualifications are required of the candidates for one of these municipal positions. These requirements and qualifications for sanitary positions are constantly being made more strict and thorough; and there is no doubt that Surgeon-General W. Wyman is right in saying: " In the sanitary progress of the new century, it has occurred vi PBEFACE.

to me, there must be developed a new class of individuals in sanitary affairs." (Journal Am. Med. Asso., March, 1901.)

There are several thousand inspectors in the various sanitary municipal departments throughout the United States, and this number is being increased every year. New York City alone has added over 200 inspectors in its newly-established Tenement-house Department, which is to begin its existence January, 1902.

In spite, however, of the growing number of sanitary inspectors, the still greater number of candidates for inspectorships, and the general interest in sanitary questions, there are as yet very few sources where the desired and necessary knowledge may be gained. In England there is an extensive literature on the subject; there are dozens of special books on Sanitation, a large number of practical manuals, and a number of aids, helps, and handbooks on all sanitary subjects. Here in the United States one has to consult the several bulky text-books on hygiene intended for medical men only. Except for Dr. R. S. Tracy's little book on " Sanitary Information," and Mr. P. Gerhardt's popular books on plumbing, there are no books 'from which the municipal sanitary inspector, and especially the candidate for such a position, can learn what is necessary for him to know.

These were the considerations which have induced me to undertake the present work. While I do not pretend to have written a text-book on the subject of Sanitation, I hope to have succeeded in presenting the subject in a condensed and practical form, so as to enable the stu-

PREFACE. vii

dent and candidate to make a creditable showing in the civil-service competitive examinations, as well as subsequently to fill one of the sanitary positions.

The first step in the study of Sanitation is to understand the principles of the science. In Part L, on Sanitary Science, I have endeavored to give a condensed but comprehensive resume of the best text-books on the subject.

Part II. is on Sanitary Practice, upon which very little has hitherto been written from a practical standpoint. In this part are given the methods of application of sanitary science in the various municipal departments, with extracts from the laws, rules, and regulations of New York and other municipalities.

Part III. of the book relates to the inspector himself, his duties, the art of his profession, his standing, qualifications, etc.; this part also contains some useful hints which will doubtless aid him, as they will the candidate for an inspectorship.

Part IV. contains, besides the chapters on Sanitary Law and Sanitary Organization in the United States, extracts from model laws on the various branches of Sanitation.

It is right here to.mention that f orall information as to the laws and practice of Sanitation- outside of New York, I am indebted to the new book' on " Municipal Sanitation in the United States/' by Dr. Chas. V. Chapin, for the publication of which all interested in Sanitation will be thankful.

I cannot close these few remarks on the scope of the book without publicly acknowledging my deep gratitude viii PREFACE.

to, and appreciation of, the assistance of those who have, in one way or another, kindly helped me in the preparation of this work.

To the eminent sanitarian, Dr. Roger Sherman Tracy, I herein render my deep regard for the advice and valuable suggestions given me. My heartfelt thanks are due to my friend, Dr. Walter Brooks Brouner, for the laborious task of revising the manuscript of the book. Thanks are also due to Mr. H. Bramley and Dr. Michael B. Feeney, Chief Sanitary Inspector of the Health Department of New York City, for kindness and assistance in various ways.

Finally, I must ask the forbearance of readers for any and all inaccuracies and errors that may be found in my book, promising to correct these in any future editions of the work, if such are called for.

247 East Broadway, New York City, October, 1901.

Part First.— Sanitary Science. Chapter Page

I. Soil and Sites.

Definition, Composition, Solids, Ground- water, Ground-air, Ground-moisture, Ground -temperature, Bacteria Contamination of the Soil, Influence of Soil on Health, Diseases due to Soil, Sites, Prevention of the Bad Effects of the Soil on Health, The Proper Construction of a House, Subsoil Drainage * 1

II. Air.

Composition, Humidity, Pressure, Temperature, Impurities in Air, Impurities According to their Source, Influence of Air on Health, Diseases Due to Impure Air 13

III. Ventilation.

Definition, Quantity of Air Required, Agents of Ventilation, Methods of Ventilation, Natural Ventilation, Artificial Ventilation 19

IV. Warming.

Ventilation and Heating, Need of Heating, The Three Methods of Heating, Materials of Combustion, Chimneys, Smoky Chimneys, Open Fire-places and Grates, Stoves, Hot-air Warming, Hot-water System, Steam Heating.. » . . . 31

V Water.

Composition, Quantity Required, Characteristics and Quality of Water, Source, Impurities, Pollution, Influence on Health, Diseases Due to Impure Water 40

VI. Water-supply.

Sources, Rain-water, Surface, Subsurface, Storage, Collection and Distribution, Purification 44

ix x CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

VII. Disposal op Sewage.

Waste Products, Sewage, Modes of Ultimate Disposal, Immediate Disposal, Sewage Disposal in the United States, The Dry Methods, The Water-carriage System, The Separate and the Combined 49

VIII. Seweks.

Definitions, Materials, Construction, Joints, Fall, Flow, Size, Connections, Tide-valves, House-sewer, Sewer-air and Gas, Ventilation . 59

IX. Plumbing. General Principles.

Purposes and Kequisites, Definitions, Materials Employed, Joints and Connections, Traps, Causes of Loss of

Seal 66

X. Plumbing Pipes.

The House-drain, The Soil- and Waste-pipes, Branch Soil- and Waste-pipes, Vent-pipes, Rain-leaders 79

XI. Plumbing Fixtures.

Sinks, Wash-basins, Wash-tubs, Bath-tubs, Refrigerators, Boilers, Urinals, Overflows, Safes and Wastes, Water-closets, Yard and Area Drains 90

XII. Defects in Plumbing ; Examination and Tests.

Defects, Minor Tests, Hydraulic Test, Smoke Test, Scent Test 104

Part Second.— Sanitary Practice

I. The Tenement-house Problem Ill

II. Tenement-houses 117

III. Private Dwellings 134

IV. Lodging-houses 136

V. Sweat-shops 138

VI. Workshops and Factories 141

VII. Mercantile Establishments 145

VIII. The Smoke Nuisance 146

IX. Bakeries 148

X. Stables 151

XI. Slaughter-houses 1 54

XII. Offensive Trades ■......- 156

CONTENTS. xi

CHAPTER PAGE

XIII. Food 158

XIV Meat 160

XV. Milk and Milk-inspection 164

XVI. Infectious Diseases 169

XVII. Disinfection and Disinfectants 174

XVIII. School Inspection 176

Part Third.-sanitary Inspection

I. Sanitation as a Profession 178

II. Qualifications for and Art of Inspection 186

III. Tenement-house Inspection 189

IV. Sanitary Inspectors in the United States 193

V. Civil-service Examinations 200

VL Notes of a Complete Tenement- house Inspection . . 205

VII. Example of a Complaint and Report 208

VIII. Calculation of Areas and Cubic Space 212

IX. Useful Memoranda and Tables 217

Part Fourth. -sanitary Law

I. Sanitary Law 221

II. Sanitary Organization in the United States 224

III. The Tenement-house Law 227

IV. The Tenement-house Department of New York

City 259

V Plumbing Regulations 271

VI On Disinfection and Disinfectants 288

VII The Duties of Milk Inspectors 298

VIII. On School Inspection.. 304

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

1. Concrete Foundation and Damp-proof Course.

(From Taylor's " Sanitary Inspectors^ Handbook.") 11

2. Subsoil Drain-pipes 11

3. Hinkes Bird Window. (Taylor.) ... 24

4. Ellison's Bricks. (From Knight's Diagrammettes.) 25

5. Sherringham Valve. (Taylor.) 26

6. Tobin's Tubes. (Knight.) 26

7. McKinnell's Ventilator. (Taylor.) 27

8. Sunburner. (Knight.) 28

9. Cowl Ventilators. (Knight. ) 29

10. Air-propeller 30

11. G alton Grate. (From Tracy's "Sanitary Information.") 36

12. Hot-air Furnace 37

13. Brick Sewer 60

14. Nomenclature of Traps. (Knight.) . . 71

. * J. Pipes: Forms, Lengths, and Connections 71, 72

15. Rain-leader 73

17. System of House Drainage. (Drawn by Harry Bramley.) 82 19 Pan Water-closet 94

20. Long Hopper 95

21. Short Hopper 96

22. Washout Water-closet 97

23. Washdown Water-closet 97

24. Flushing-cistern 98

25. School Sink. 99

26. J. Sullivan's Improved Yard Hopper Closets 101

27. A Modern Water-closet 102

28. Types of Tenement-houses 118

29. A Typical Slaughter-house 155

30. Lactometer 165

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HANDBOOK ON SANITATION.