Fig. 24.
PAN WATER-CLOSET. (Gerhard.)
The Pan Closet.—The water-closet most commonly used in former times was a representative of the group of water-closets with mechanical contrivances. This is the pan closet, now universally condemned and prohibited from further use. The pan closet consists of four principal parts: (1) basin of china, small and round; (2) a copper six-inch pan under the basin; (3) a large iron container, into which the basin with the pan under it is placed; and (4) a D trap, to which the container is joined. The pan is attached with a lever to a handle, which, when pulled, moves the pan; this describes a half circle and drops the contents into the container and trap. The objections to pan closets are the following:
(1) There being a number of parts and mechanical contrivances, they are liable to get out of order.
(2) The bowl is set into the container and cannot be inspected, and is usually very dirty beneath.
(3) The pan is often missing, gets out of order, and is liable to be soiled by adhering excreta.
(4) The container is large, excreta adhere to its upper parts, and the iron becomes corroded and coated with filth.
(5) With every pull of the handle and pan, foul air enters rooms.
(6) The junctions between the bowl and container, and the container and trap, are usually not gas-tight.