This name is often applied to closets in which the flushing cistern is placed immediately above the seat of the closet. Such closets were originally introduced for fixing in places where the water would not rise to the level of the ordinary flushing cistern, but have proved so satisfactory that they are now being used with high-pressure water supplies. Their principal advantage is that they are less noisy in action. This is partly due to the lower velocity of the water when the cistern is in operation, partly also to the fact that the cistern is always provided with a cover. The lower velocity of the flushing water has the disadvantage of a smaller scouring action on the surface of the basin. The cistern may be of cast iron or pottery, but the writer prefers wood lined with lead or copper, as the wood also assists in deadening the sound. The cistern may be of the valve or siphon type, but must have a large outlet, as the lower velocity of the water necessitates a larger volume being discharged in a given time. A closet of this kind may with advantage be fitted in a room where a window prevents the cistern being fixed in the ordinary position. If the cistern is fixed on one of the side walls, two additional bends must be made in the flush-pipe, and these not only add to the cost, but are unsightly and very considerably reduce the power of the flush, and, if the wall is a half-brick wall, the noise of the cistern will be transmitted to the adjacent room. Low-level cisterns of this kind are now applied to siphonic as well as to wash-down closets.

Fig. 112. Dick see's Device for Preventing Siphonage.

Fig. 112. Dick see's Device for Preventing Siphonage.

Fig. 113. Twyfords'  Console Siphon  Closet.

Fig. 113. Twyfords' "Console Siphon" Closet.

The name "combination closets" may also be applied to water-closets which are specially designed to serve another purpose besides that for which they are primarily intended. In small houses the water-closet usually serves also as slop-closet and urinal, and it is therefore desirable that the rim should be of a good width and made to slope inwards, as shown in fig. 104. Sometimes the top of the basin is widened to form a "slop-top," which is provided with a raised rim, as shown in fig. 99. In the "Hy-back" combined water-closet and urinal the basin has a vertical extension at the back and the seat is of horseshoe shape, pivoted in the middle, the wings being weighted at the back, so that the seat, when not in use, remains in a vertical position. Such an arrangement cannot possibly be adopted in a private house, or anywhere else where decent people congregate.

A much more elaborate combination is that designed by Mr. J. J. Lish, and known as the "Scientia" apparatus.

It is water-closet, urinal, slop-sink, and draw-off sink (for hot and cold water), and is supplied with loose fittings, so that it can also be used as a lavatory, bidet, and rising douche-bath. The urinal is a curved porcelain slab rising from the back of the basin, but covered by a glazed door when not in use. The whole of the apparatus above the closet seat is encased with woodwork and forms a ventilation shaft, in which a gas flame can be kept burning to induce an up-current, which will also be assisted by the hot-water pipe placed within the casing. A glazed door is hung in front of the gas flame, so that this serves to light the room. Elaborate combinations of this kind, like the wonderful pocket-knives, which we used fondly to believe (until we bought them) equal to a whole chest of tools, will never prove entirely satisfactory. They will be useful in the confined quarters of bachelors, or elsewhere on occasion, but are not likely to come into general use. The ventilation shaft rising from the basin of the closet is certainly a good idea. Of all the rooms in a building the water-closet is the one where extraction of air ought to be most carefully provided for.