Every camp must be provided with adequate latrine service. One unit for
every eight or ten people is considered necessary. The type of latrine
to be used will depend on existing conditions at the camp site, but
whatever it is the greatest care must be taken to keep them clean. Seats
and covers should be scrubbed every day, houses swept and toilet paper
provided. Covers should not remain open, and it should be considered a
misdemeanor to throw cloths of any kind into a latrine. As a place must
be provided for them it is suggested that a small portable incinerator
be kept in a closed box stood in one corner of the latrine house, and
that the incinerator be removed every day to a near-by open place and
the contents burned.
[Illustration: VOLLEY BALL]
Latrines should be cleaned out before camp opens and the ground around
them left perfectly clean. As a precaution make sure that no part of the
contents is deposited anywhere near camp. If the ordinary out-of-door
closet is used, see that chloride of lime is sprinkled in the pit daily.
If a small group is to be provided for in a temporary camp and a latrine
must be built, the earthen closet will probably give the best
satisfaction. This is made by digging a trench 2 ft. wide, 3 ft. deep
and in length 2 ft. for each unit. Over the trench place a box seat 17
inches high, with holes having hinged covers. Bank earth around the
bottom of the box and in front of it place a board walk. Protect the
seat by pitching a tent over it or encircling it with a strip of canvas
5 ft. high, fastened to posts, the ends of which pass each other forming
a protected doorway. A box of earth and a small shovel should be kept in
the tent and every time the closet is used earth should be thrown into
it. Lime should be used daily. When necessary to dig a new trench make
sure that the old one is properly filled in. A latrine of this kind must
not be placed near any water supply.
A type of latrine which is being built on permanent camp sites in the
Palisades Interstate Park and which has been developed by the engineers
of the Park Commission, is giving such satisfaction that an outline of
its construction is herewith given.
Dig a pit in which is built a concrete tank 3 ft. wide, 3 ft. deep at
one end, and 3 ft. 8 inches at the other, and 17 ft. in length for eight
units, the concrete 6 inches thick.
Build over it a house 6 or 7 ft. wide, the rear and one side wall of
which rest on the rear and lower end wall of the pit. The deep end of
the pit for 18 inches is left outside of the house. This opening, which
must have an adjustable cover, is used when cleaning the pit.
Floor the building to within 20 inches of the rear wall. Cover the
opening in the floor with a box seat 17 inches high leaving in it
properly made toilet seats, 2 ft. apart from center to center, with
covers.
Make four agitators, one for every two units, by fastening a wooden
paddle 5 x 7 inches onto one end of a 5-ft. length of 2-inch iron pipe.
Put the pipes through a slot in the seat between the two openings, the
paddle at right angles to the length of the seat, and clearing the
bottom of the pit by three inches. The agitators are held in place by
clamps attached to the bottom of he seat which allows the pipe handle to
be moved from side to side. Vent pipes 4 inches in diameter extend from
the pit up through the seat back of each cover, and through the roof for
18 inches.
Charge the pit with 175 gallons of water and 240 pounds of Kaustine, a
patented chemical compound. By moving the agitator handles from side to
side whenever the latrine is used all solid matter is brought in contact
with the Kaustine solution and decomposed.
As with all other latrines, the house must be kept clean and the seats
scrubbed each day. It is not necessary to use any disinfectants in this
type of house, but it should have two doors and windows.