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57
The liberal flushings with hot soda water, disinfectants, and
the like, are entirely useless to remedy the nuisance, in fact such
action only aggravates it.
The most successful and simple method is the application of
dilute muriatic acid, swept through the pipes with a flue brush
kept specially for the purpose, thus effectually cleansing the pipe
and removing the cause of the nuisance.
The usual batch of anonymous and irrelevant letters has
received attention as is customary, bona-fide complaints being
dealt with either by this Department or referred to the proper
Authority.
There has also been a number of complaints received relative
to offensive odours emitted from what are erected as fresh air
inlets, but are frequently foul air outlets.
If the theory of drain ventilation work out true in practice,
there should be no nuisance emanating from these sources of annoyance,
but alas! one has to admit that there is a disturbing element
which prevents the Mica Valve Flap shutting down at the right
moment, or that the gas coming out is more persistent than that
desirous of going in. There is no doubt that it is stronger, which
perhaps will account for its obtaining the mastery, and the cause
of the Inspector receiving so many complaints.
It is exceeding difficult to know where to fix the fresh air inlet
in cottage property, where the drains go under the house, that is,
to keep it clear of windows; the only safe place in my opinion, is
above the eaves gutters, for it seems a little ludicrous to insist
upon water.tight joints several feet under ground, then erect a
ventilator with an opening (at nose and mouth level), which is
frequently emitting sewer gas.
DRAIN TESTING.
During the year 1397 drains were tested with chemical, smoke,
or water tests, of which 545 were proved defective. A considerable
percentage of those proved defective, was found upon opening
up for examination, to be due not to any defect in the drain itself,