In dealing with the sanitation of a bazaar, the provision of scientifically designed latrines and urinals is a matter of the greatest importance. There are numerous patterns of these, some very well arranged as regards the necessary requirements for efficient working, but many more not so. The selection of the pattern adopted is frequently a mere matter of chance, and the attention paid to the subject by the Municipal Commissioners a minimum quantity; badly arranged ones are probably just as expensive to construct in the first instance as good ones, which are much more useful.

A large number of small latrines and urinals suitably distributed are more effective than a few large ones, and are not much more costly to construct and maintain; they should not be grouped together, or placed back to back, as light and air should be allowed to play on all sides; for convenience a small covered annexe may be provided for the carts. For ventilation purposes it must be remembered that, owing to the friction of the air on the sides, a number of small openings are not nearly of as great value as a large one of the same area. Where good drainage is unavailable, storm-water from the roofs should discharge into moveable buckets which can be easily emptied, thus avoiding saturation of the soil. Care must however be taken to put these in places where they cannot be misused.

Latrines should be provided at all Police barracks or out-posts; the prevention of nuisance in a Municipality is under the control of the local police, and the out-posts are, in many cases, either unprovided with latrines, or have them of such a description that the men are driven to commit the nuisance they are supposed to prevent. Similarly, house-owners should be made to provide suitable arrangements for their servants.

A good latrine in the Indian market is ‘Bailey’s Patent,’ Fig. 12, page 27. This combines efficient ventilation of the latrine, with an arrangement of double trays, thus preventing saturation and consequent pollution of the soil on which it stands. The superstructure is made of corrugated iron strongly braced, and can be made of any number of compartments required; the patent latrine seat inside is independent of the superstructure, and can be easily taken out and cleaned. The seats however are inconveniently small. They cost from Rs. 114 for a two-seat to Rs. 324 for an eight-seat one.

Donaldson’s Separation Latrine, in which the urine and solid matter are kept separate, is also an excellent pattern. Separation latrines are, however, unsuitable where it is proposed to deal with the night-soil by bacteriological agency, and must seriously decrease its manurial value also. It is merely a handy way of disposing of solid fÆces.

The Alipore pattern latrine is a good type. Stoneware seats set in brick-work are preferable to iron ones.

Septic tank latrines are very useful under suitable circumstances. A design for a 12–seated one with a separate flushing tank for each seat is shown in Fig. 13, page 28, the estimated cost being Rs. 4,586, or Rs. 382 per seat. Before deciding on adopting a latrine of this description, “Sewage Disposal in the Tropics,” by Major Clemesha, I.M.S., Sanitary Commissioner, Bengal, should be consulted.

Where masonry latrines or urinals are provided, the walls and floor should be smooth and well polished to allow of easy cleaning, and should be white or some light colour, so that if there is dirt, it can be at once seen and removed. In latrines for hospitals, and also in public ones which are much frequented, it would be an advantage to line the walls to a height of 3 feet, and also the floors, with glazed tiles or bricks. This will make them much cleaner and less forbidding looking. It is an obvious mistake to coat the lower part of a latrine wall with tar, the antiseptic value of which, especially in a hot climate, is soon lost, and which hides and retains dirt in its composition. The usual practice is to cover a dirty latrine wall with a fresh layer of tar, thus preserving an old coat of filth and forming a fresh bed for a new one.

In all latrines it is of great importance to have the rear openings of convenient size for the efficient removal of the buckets from their seats on the level platform.

A cart urinal in the vicinity of cutcherries will be found useful. This is merely a receptacle of convenient size resting on a masonry floor and placed under a raised and enclosed platform on which the squatting plate is fixed; the receptacle can be easily removed and replaced by an empty one; the form is a convenient one and can be efficiently ventilated.

Bailey’s Patent Urinal, Fig. 14, page 30, is very suitable. This costs from Rs. 48 for a two-seat to Rs. 222 for a six-seat one. The patent urinal stands inside the compartment and can be taken out and cleaned without difficulty. For disinfecting purposes chlorinated lime is very useful. It should have 33% of free chlorine, and must be used fresh as it rapidly decomposes. Phenyle is also very useful.

An ingenious way of making Hindus face the right way, when using latrines, is to make the mark of an outspread hand in red on the wall which they should face, as no Hindu will turn his back on this sign.

A set of model rules for private privies and urinals is given in Appendix A, page 57.