The brown intercepting trap drain was used to prevent the foul air from sewers seeping into the house. A quarter of the real size, it was made on behalf of W H Knight of the Hygiene Referendum. This one was originally from a set of twelve models that were used to teach and assess officials involved in public health. Hygiene and cleanliness were a major focus for public health officials, particularly in light of the germ theory of disease which had been established a few years previously.

A full set of models cost over £3. The trap is shown here with a yellow drain pipe from the same set (1896-61/7/1).