the sewer-gas escaping therein to be absorbed by the water in the trap of the water-closet, and thence given out under the pan and through the waste-pipe of the bath-tub and washbowls, which are frequently not independently trapped.

In all cases where such defects have been found, ventilation has been recommended by extending the pipes above the roof, and, where properly done, this has always been followed by very beneficial results. But it frequently happens that, when owners of buildings receive an order requiring such pipes to be extended for ventilating purposes, they practise a false economy by making the extension by means of pipes, the dimensions of which are totally inadequate for the purpose intended; that is, to save expense, a pipe of an inch or an inch and a half diameter is often connected with a six-inch soil-pipe. Although a pipe of this size relieves the traps from all danger of water being drawn from them by means of suction or a vacuum in the pipe, it does not effectually prevent the absorption of sewer-gas by water in the traps of the water-closets, to be given off at points beyond.

Therefore, ventilating pipes to be effective should be as near the diameter of the pipes intended to be ventilated as possible, and should never be less than one half such diameter.

Yards and Areas.-Yards and areas are sometimes connected with the sewer-pipe for the purpose of drainage, and it often happens that the openings leading therefrom to the sewer are not protected from escape of sewer-gas, and occupants of houses have frequently noticed a fetid odor about their basement doors and windows, without being able to account for it. Whenever areas have been found in this condition, complaints have been forwarded, with the recommendation that a proper trap be provided, and an order to that effect has been issued by the Board, a compliance with which usually cured the evil.

Damp and Wet Cellars.-Damp and wet cellars are continually complained of both by citizens and sanitary officers. Many of these have been traced to local causes, such as defective drainage, leaky hydrants and privies, and improperly-graded yards; but in many cases the water in cellars was found to be caused by the buildings being constructed on made ground, below the original water-level. Such cellars can never be dry without being thoroughly concreted. At other times cellars have been found damp and wet from being constructed below the level of the adjoining lots. Where cellars are built in this way, the outside wall should be cemented from the cellar-floor to at least one foot above the surface of the adjoining ground, so as to prevent dampness or water from striking through.

Where the ground has been found saturated from springs, a drain has been recommended to be constructed below the surface of the cellar, and connected with the street sewer, where such a recommendation was feasible.

Where the trouble arose from defective drainage or any local cause above referred to, it has generally been abated on an order from this Board.

Privies.-A large number of privy-vaults have been examined and found constantly offensive, which was mainly attributable to their imperfect construction. Some of these vaults were found built of rough stones without cement, permitting a constant discharge of their liquid contents into the grounds adjoining, and frequently into the cellars and areas of adjoining houses. Many privies were found connected with the street-sewer without any provision to prevent their being the medium for conveying sewer-gas into the surrounding space. If this class of privies must be retained, and they seem to be a necessary evil, they should be rendered as far as possible inoffensive and harmless to the occupants of surrounding buildings. This can be done by connecting a water-tight vault with the street-sewer, by a discharge-pipe which is provided with a movable plug, so arranged that the vault can at all times be properly flushed when the plug is set in the discharge-pipe. The vault can be kept free from sewer-odors by means of a cap set over this plug, and dipping into the water in the vault. An iron grating should be provided in the vault to prevent large substances thrown therein from escaping into and obstructing the sewer. The contents of a privy-vault