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simple and efficient of these is the well-known Arnot's valve, which makes
use of the chimney current as a suction power, to withdraw the foul air
from the upper part of rooms. A very simple and cheap substitute for
this apparatus, and which has been tried with success, is afforded by
making an opening in the chimney-flue of the room, near the ceiling, "by
removing (says Dr. Arnot) a single brick, and placing there a piece of
wire gauze, with a light flap hanging on the inside to prevent the issue of
smoke in gusty weather." This would be greatly assisted by a similar
but larger opening made over the doorway. This simple remedy, which
may be applied for a shilling or two, I would strongly advise the adoption
of in the houses of the poor, where, from having frequently no back
doors or windows, from the invariable impracticability of the upper sashes
of the windows, and other malconstructions, there is the least opportunity
but greatest demand for ventilation.
Removal of House Refuse.
Dustbins form very convenient means of immediate removal from
houses of the vegetable and other refuse, which, without them, would be
thrown out on the ground to be trodden under foot, and, undergoing
decomposition, become a great source of atmospheric impurity; but they
require to be frequently relieved of their accumulations or they become,
as may be often witnessed, a greater source of mischief than that which
they are intended to prevent. A more efficient mode of scavengering than
that adopted is required, both in reference to these receptacles and to the
town generally, especially of its bye-ways. That which good drainage
performs in the removal of filth in a liquid form, an efficient system of
scavengering should perform for the removal of house refuse, and other
solid filth. What is required is a systematic plan of procedure, by which
the refuse of every house, great and small, shall be promptly removed by
certain regular periodical visitations of the dust cart, without waiting for
any special application of the inhabitants for its removal; such applications
being seldom made except under the pressure of great inconvenience, or
intolerable nuisance. Such a plan of operations would be most materially
assisted by the co-operation of the householders generally, in substituting
(a matter of trifling expense) for the present immovable, large, and proportionably
offensive dust-bin, a portable one of much smaller dimensions,
with a view of being more easily, and, consequently, more frequently
emptied. Such a receptacle might be made of wood, or perhaps better of
iron, fitted with a lid, and with handles at the sides, which in small ones
might be seized by the hand, or in larger ones (the size being proportionate
to the house) a pole might be put through for conveyance to the
dust cart, into which the contents could be capsized and the receptacle at
once restored to its proper place. Such means (by which I think 100
houses could be relieved of their refuse in less time than 10 are by the
present plan of digging, shovelling, and removal in baskets) could be
easily and at once employed, to the saving of much valuable time and
labour, the great convenience of householders, and the preservation of the
health of the inhabitants generally.
Paving of Courts and Alleys.
The foregoing remarks are particularly applicable to the passages and