CO882-(3-4) — Page 514

Typical plans of public latrines. General

points to be

attended to

in their

construction.

Non-ab-

sorbent

PUBLIC LATRINES.

1. Sheet No. 4 shows three plans of public latrines, in which I have endeavoured to embody the chief principles which, in my opinion, should rule the design of such

structures.

2. The floor and all fittings should be smooth and non-absorbent, wherefore the use of wood should be studiously avoided. There should be no sharp or hidden corners and spaces in which dirt can lodge, and from which it cannot be removed by simply sluicing with water, and rubbing with a mop or "squeejee."

3. Granite is unsuitable for floors, as the roughness of the surface retains dirt and wet. If punched smooth it is both expensive and slippery. Asphalte is perhaps the most suitable floor covering. Many failures have taken place in its application in tropical alone should climates, but they are usually due to the fact, that an improper quality of asphalte has

been used.

materials

be used.

Asphalte

recom-

mended for floors.

Cast-iron plates for floors and

cells which

do not come

In 1872 I asphalted the floors of the Civil Hospital at Aden, and up to the time of my departure in 1873 it remained perfectly good. The effect of subsequent years may be easily ascertained. The asphalte, in this instance, was supplied by the Val-de-Travers Company, and was prepared specially hard and infusable. Nevertheless, it was easily laid down by ordinary Indian workmen.

4. Cast-iron plates will probably be the best material for the doors and divisions of the cells. They should be perfectly smooth, all beads or mouldings being carefully partitions of rounded off. A space of 6 inches is left between the lower edges of the partition and backs, and the floor or steps, so as to do away with angles and facilitate cleaning. In the first and second designs provision is made for the use of the hose and jet for cleaning, for which purpose no more efficient appliance exists.

5. It must be remembered that Asiatics do not, and will not, use seats. To provide them or anything like them is unnecessary and causes horrible nuisances; I mention this simple obvious fact, for it seems often to have been forgotten. Closet seats have in several instances been supplied for Sikhs and their habit of using water seems to have escaped attention.

down to floor.

Seats not desirable.

Description

of Fig. 1.

Bucket

system.

No. 2. Trough Kystem for

water

carriage.

Description

of No. 8.

Canton

system.

6. No. I shows a modification of the present bucket or tub system, avoiding some of its defects. Boat-shaped vessels of either cast iron, perfectly enamelled, or of earthen- ware, are substituted for the present wooden tubs, and the form of vessel shown will give great facility for cleaning, and is also well adapted to the reception of excreta.

7. No. 2 shows a trough latrine, which, of course, pre-supposes the existence of a water supply, and of sewers suitable for the removal of excreta. The trough is sunk in the floor, which slopes in all directions towards it. When in use, it must be kept full of water. From time to time the contents are drawn off by opening the outlet valve, and the trough scoured out and refilled, by means of the pipe at the other end.

The trough is spanned by cast-iron foot plates, on which the user squats, and which are loose and can be easily removed for cleaning. It is most important that the excreta should fall into water, and not on to dry surfaces, to which they adhere, and from which they are removed with difficulty.

The arrangement of the cells in a double row, back to back, is on this account desir- able, for it obviates the befoulment of the back of the trough, which usually takes place, and which causes a great nuisance.

8. Fig. 3 shows an adaptation of the system which obtains in Canton. Here the excreta fall on to an inclined plane, beneath the movable cast-iron foot plates. They are sprinkled with sand to facilitate the collection and removal of the solids, whilst the fluids run away by the gutter in front; thus complete separation is effected, and the products obtained in the inost valuable condition as manure."

In the better class of such places the excrement is removed at once by means of a rake and a basket. In Canton the latrines, though free of charge, are most valuable property. To open one is a privilege, and they compete for the custom of the public, Consequently, they are well kept and wonderfully free from offence. They are usually in open yards, with a small roof just sheltering the cells. I have followed that practice in the drawing.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

། ། ། ། །

Reference:

C.O. 882

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

། ། ། །

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:

C.O. 882

4PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO