However, the question more immediately at hand is that of the disposal of human excreta by the use of water-closets; and it is the water-closet that first attracts the attention of one who is called upon to examine the sanitary condition of the work. There are several radical defects in water-closets, which are so widespread and which have become so familiar to the world at large as to attract less attention than they deserve. For example, it is a radical defect of a water-closet to be tightly encased in carpentry. Nearly all the water-closets now in use have a somewhat complicated mechanism about their bowls. They consist in part of earthenware and in part of iron, generally with an unstable connection between the two. More often than not they overflow or drip or leak, and whatever may escape from them, whether foul air or foul water, is confined within an unventilated space, but a space which is still not absolutely excluded from the atmosphere of the house. The removal of the "riser" or vertical board under the front of the seat will usually disclose at once a condition that suggests at least the need for thorough ventilation. It also discloses in some cases a complication of machinery and pipes and levers and chains which makes a thorough dusting and cleansing of the space difficult, even were it accessible. There are water-closets which are essentially good in their construction and working, which it is important to protect by a "riser," but this "riser" should never be of close work. It should at least be freely perforated with large holes, or, better still, be made with slats or blinds, so that there may be the freest possible circulation of air under the seat. If there is an entire absence of machinery, so that the whole space may be left open, being well finished with tiles or hard wood or other suitable material, it is better that it should be unenclosed and that the seat should be hung on hinges, so that it may be turned back, exposing the whole space to easy cleansing. It is better too, in all cases, that the ventilation should not even be interfered with by a cover over the seat, the freest possible exposure to the air being of great importance.