d without agitating the whole household, at any reasonable
hour of any day of the week. No family that we ever knew went bankrupt
on account of the cost of hot water for bathing, and if they did they
would have a pretty valid excuse.

PLUMBING

The bathroom is the heart of the plumbing problem, and it is not
necessary to declare that the plumbing is the most important feature of
the house, so far as health is concerned. Did we examine an old house
(one of even ten years ago) with a view to purchasing or renting, the
condition of the plumbing would be a first consideration. If it were
not safe and in good order, we should have to make it so, for of course
no one who is mentally competent would take any chances on such a
menace to the family welfare. And to repair antiquated plumbing is an
ungrateful task, while to replace it entirely requires both courage and
a willingness to let go of one's money in large wads.

Now, we want to remember that we shall wish to have our plumbing
satisfactory, not only when the house is new, but ten years later, when
it is not new. To make sure of this, we need first of all to know
something of modern methods and equipment. Then we should employ a
capable plumber, though he may cost us more than the merely passable
sort. Finally, we should supplement good workmanship with the best
materials. It may be noted that after the supply houses have evolved
the best materials, in the sense that the materials are convenient,
good to look at, and perfectly sanitary, they add frills and
decorations that bring up the cost to any amount we insist upon
spending. But we can get what we really require without paying for the
frills, if we exhibit tolerable ability in the selection of essentials.

Open plumbing is, of course, the only sort that any self-respecting
plumber of these days would consent to put in; if he hints at anything
else, we may well be suspicious of him. Not only should the plumbing
be where we can see and get at it, but sinks, lavatories, and tubs
should have no inclosures that may retain filth or become water-soaked.

Sewer gas is not the only evil to be guarded against, but it is the
greatest. It is also the subtlest, for in some of its most deadly
forms it is inodorous, and usually does its work before we become
conscious of its existence. The poisonous gas is not necessarily
generated in the sewer, but may be created anywhere in the pipes that
obstructions or uneve