Garth Closet Attachment 
for otjt-hotjses. 
Patentecl >/l6x37- Stla, 1.33-2. 
MANUFACTURED BY 
HENRY J. BEHRENS, 
4tM Aw®** m@m if MM 
NEW YORK CITY, N. Y. As the population of the country is increasing, and certain localities .are becoming 
more densely settled, the question of the disposal of night soil is of the utmost importance 
to our health. Privies such as are generally in use outside of the watered and sewered 
districts are not only an intolerable nuisance, but a continual source of disease. The sur- 
rounding air is contaminated, the ground becomes saturated with poisonous moisture, and 
in course of time the " ater, if a well is used, is absolutely certain to be more or less polluted 
Typhoid fever, malaria and other diseases are easily traceable to the foul gases and 
odors emanating from the common style of out-house. Indeed, physicians assert that malaria 
is more commonly produced by decaying animal matter than by the baleful influence of 
swamps and marshes. And if the water used by the household is impregnated with this 
matter, how doubly dangerous becomes its use. 
The conditions above discribed are more responsible for cases of ill health than is 
generally supposed. Evidence of the poisonous nature of the gases is seen in the dis- 
coloraltion of the seats and walls, especially when painted. Of the disagreeable qualities 
of the ordinary privy aside from a sanitary point of view, it is of course idle to speak 
To be sure sewers can be constructed, but this is not in all cases practicable, not 
always having a river or other outlet at hand. We also know that if the refuse of human life 
could be saved instead of being wasted, its utilization as a fertilizer would be of incalculable 
value. And as for the cleaning or emptying of the vaults, the disagreeable features attend- 
ing the operation are of such a character, that the undertaking is generaly postponed 
from time to time, until the condition reaches a point that is not only intolerable but 
absolutely dangerous to health. 
The above statements are certainly made in plain language, but the facts need no 
elaboration. They are only too self-evident, and any remedy which abolishes entirely or 
even abates in a degree the evils mentioned, deserves consideration, and should invite 
investigation. DESCRIPTION. 
I beg leave to call your attention to my patent earth closet, to be attached to any form 
ot privy and which is designed to overcome the difficulties encountered in the disposal of night 
soil, and also to abate the nuisances connected with the ordinary out house. 
The illustration on first page and following description show what my improvement 
consists of. the manner of applying and the method of operating it. 
To the outside of the wall, behind the seat is attached a wooden hopper for the recep- 
tion of ashes or earth, having near the top a sieve for pulverizing the earth or separating coals 
and clinkers from the ashes. 
A narrow opening in the bottom of the hopper is closed when the closet is not in use 
by a slat on the top of a chute hinged to the bottom of the hopper. The chute is kept in a 
vertical position (as shown in the dotted lines in cut) by a weight projecting from the front 
face and is swung forward (as in sketch) by pulling in a rod attached to it and projecting 
through the “ riser." This opens the bottom of the hopper and allows a portion of its contents 
to fall into the chute which directs them forward and spreads them over the bottom of the 
b placed beneath. I he latter is mounted on wheels for convenience of removal. 
What 1 manufacture is the machinery complete for each seat, ready to be screwed into 
the back of your out house, and consisting of the following pieces : 
i. The hopper with hinged cover and containing arrangement for loosening the ashes 
or earth. 2. Sieve, 3. Cast iron cradle or frame into which sieve is dropped and provided 
with iron handle. 4 Chute hinged to hopper, made of wood and zinc. 5. Slat lor opening 
and closing hopper. 6. Cast iron weight and rod and handle for pulling. These are all the 
essential parts and are made of the best material and workmanship. The price is fifteen dol- 
lars. delivered on board of any railroad or boat in the City of New York. 
I do not furnish the box as the pit or vault may be retained, but the box is of course 
the most convenient way for removing the refuse ; and in towns where the houses are so 
close together as to prevent the disposal of the manure in the land around them, and where a 
public system of removal is necessary, galvanized iron cases or cans with handles may be sub- 
stituted. 
The accompanying sketch with a box and a ventilating shaft merely represent a model 
privy. 1'he door for enclosing chute and lower part of the hopper, and also the door for tak- 
ing out the box, which you see in the sketch. I also leave to your own convenience and 
and taste, as they are not of much importance. ADVANTAGES 
ECO IS O M Y. 
Ashes, dry earth, sand, charcoal dust and sawdc.st all work equally well in my im- 
provement. 1 hey are all good disinfectants, cost nothing and being so thoroughly mixed 
with the night soil by the operation of the apparatus, they absorb ail the moisture and gases, 
and leave a dry, odorless product easily handled, and the value as manure unimpared. l y 
using ashes, which are excellently adapted for the purpose, there is no extra labor required, 
as they have to be sifted anyway. In this apparatus you have a perfectly clean way of doing 
it, as the s’eve is absolutely dust proof. The merit of this method of silting and disposing ol 
ashes will be appreciated by householders as the unsightly ash heap, heretofore an intolerable 
nuisance, is not only’ utilized for a good purpose, but becomes an agent ol positive benefit. 
HEALTH. 
The moisture and gases being absorbed, the ground is not saturated : the water in the 
well remains pure, and the air we breathe is uncontaminated, there being no odor discernible, 
even inside the privy. A fruitful source of typhoid fever, malaria, etc , is rendered harmless. 
CLEANING AND DISPOSAL. 
The product being in a dry, odorless state is easily handled. It is inoffensive and 
may be placed in the manure heap or distributed on the ground. And where a public system 
is adopted, covered cans may be used andorted away when filled, being replaced with 
empty ones. I he operation of cleaning, usually contemplated with disgust, is rendered more 
agreeable, and our nostrils and those of our neighbors are not offended. 
SIMPLICITY AND DURABILITY. 
T his article is constructed in the best possible manner of the best materials and its 
operation is so simple that there is no liability whatever of its getting out of order. There 
are no nails used, screws and bolts taking their place. It will last a lifetime. 
CH EAPNEyS. 
The price of Fifteen (i5) Dollars is certainly within the reach of every householder 
1 he item of manure, let alone medical expense, will pay the cost of the improvement in one 
year; and when the discomfort and ill-health connected with the common out house are con- 
sidered no one using the arrangement will begrudge the cost, not speaking of the 
satisfaction of having an out-house that*is respectable. In the majority of cases, apparatus 
for one seat is sufficient. 
Its utility and practical appliance is so self-evident that no endorsements are necessary 
on the part of the makers. But in view of the sanitary merits claimed for the invention, at- 
tention is respectfully called to the following letter from two eminent physicians who hold the 
position of sanitary inspectors or this city. 
New Yokk, October 16th, 1882. 
Mr. Hk.nky J. Behrens : 
Dear Sir:—I have examined the earth closet patented by vou and find it one of the best for the purpose in- 
tended. For use in private dwellings, villages and country, places, it should replace the old form of privy vault. Its 
economy is also self-evident, affording the opportunity of utilizing all fecal matter for agricultural purposes. The 
necessity for using some method of this kind to prevent soil saturage and poisoning of wells is becoming more and 
more evident every day. 1'his method of disposing of all effete material of this nature is most efficient. 
Moreau Morris, M. D. 
To which Dr. Comfort of the Annexed District added : 
“I fully concur in the above statement.” 
For further information apply personally or by mail to 
HENRY J. BEHRENS, 4th Ave., near 175th St.