Wa′ter-clos′et.
A commode with watersupply to empty the basin and carry off the contents.
The water-closet, in its essential features, was invented by Bramah.
These features may be described as a pan, a discharging valve, and a water-cock which comes into action as the discharge-valve is opened.
The water-closet of the palace of the Caesars was adorned with marble arabesques and mosaics.
At the back is a cistern with faucets for the different seats.
The pipe and basin of one still remain near the theater of
Pompeii,
Sir John Harrington,
temp.
Elizabeth, introduced them into
England.
The portable close stools used in the reign of Elizabeth, and placed in garrets, were called
ajaxes.
Fig. 7093 is a portable, self-acting water-closet.
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Portable water-closet. |
In that shown in
Fig. 7094, depressing the seat pushes down a rod connected to a weighted lever, which opens the waterpipe valve, and also to the end of a second weighted lever, which opens the valve at the bottom of the pan. On the removal of the pressure, the weighted levers automatically close the valves.
In one form of closet there is a jet for the purpose of applying a douche in cases of hemorrhoids.
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Water-closet. |
In the
Carr closet (Fig.
7095), the valve-pull operates through a series of jointed levers having a certain amount of lateral play, so that freedom of action is insured if the parts are slightly out of
[
2737]
their proper adjustment.
By removing the front piece of the container, the pan may be removed and replaced, and the trap of the closet cleared, if foul, without interfering with the other parts or shutting off the water-supply.
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Water-closet. |
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Water-closet. |
Fig. 7096 is the Jennings water-closet.
Fig. 7097 illustrates
R. D. O. Smith's ventilating water-closet.
It is provided with a pipe
a leading into a ventilating pipe or flue
b for carrying off the foul air. A descending current is produced in the pan by the suction of the flue or by the influx of water from the pipe
c, of which
d is the valve and
e the delivery-pipe.
m is a urinal in another apartment, with a similar upcast draft to remove fetid air.
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Smith's ventilating water-closet. |
