Provision must of course be made to efficiently drain and light all public urinals, and arrangements should be made by which they can be thoroughly washed once or twice a day, so as to keep every part scrupulously clean. Urine after a very short exposure exhales a most fœtid and unpleasant odour, from the decomposition of its nitrogenous matter. Carbolic acid, chloride of lime, sanitas, or other disinfectant should also be used, especially in warm weather.
If the interior of a public urinal or latrine has to be painted a light colour, it is well to mix a little sand with the paint, so as to prevent as much as possible that literature and art which so often disfigures establishments of this description. An excellent composition with which to treat urinals, although it is of a somewhat dark tint, is a mixture of common coal tar and naphtha, which not only gives a clean and polished appearance to the place, but is also an excellent deodorant and disinfectant.
With regard to public W.C. accommodation, this, as I have before stated, is not very often provided by an urban authority,[198] although common public latrines are sometimes erected. These are generally used by rather rough persons, and should be constructed in a strong and simple manner.
For this purpose stoneware bowls or basins placed over a drain and fitting into ordinary right-angled junctions placed vertically are simple and effective as well as very economical in construction. Slate, iron, or wood seats may be placed on these basins, which should be kept half full of water. A periodical and sudden flush which carries the whole contents into the nearest sewer can be arranged for so as to work automatically by the introduction of a cistern and one of Mr. Roger Field’s flush syphons at the upper end of the system.
For further information on the subject of urinals, waterclosets, latrines, and all similar subjects, let the town surveyor refer to Mr. George Jennings or Messrs. Macfarlane, who have an endless variety of designs and appliances in connection with such matters.
[196] The urban authority have an absolute discretion as to the sites they select. They cannot, however, erect public conveniences so as thereby to cause a nuisance, even though the convenience is wanted and the locality chosen suitable. (Vide ‘Public Health and Local Government Act,’ by F. V. Fitzgerald, 3rd edition, p. 33.)
[197] The quantity of water usually required to each stall when kept constantly running is about half a gallon per minute.
[198] For an excellent specimen of such public accommodation, that at Liverpool near the St. George’s Hall should be inspected.