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37
advisable to cut a trench through the ground and ascertain the exact
condition of the remains. Instructions were accordingly given for this
to be done, and Dr. Hoffman arranged to again visit the spot on the
4th of April.
In the meanwhile, however, notice was received from the Home
Office that Messrs. Pilgrim's client had declined to proceed further with
the proposed building, and the matter was allowed to drop.
The present owner of the land has, however, now agreed to let it on a
building lease to a Mr. Geo. Chambers, who seems determined to build,
and indeed has commenced excavations for the purpose of laying
foundations. He has prepared and sent for the approval of the Vestry
several plans for the drainage of the proposed houses, which are to be
a block of industrial dwellings for the accommodation of 400 persons.
He proposes simply to lay a bed of concrete, and to build upon that
without removing the remains. If this be permitted, subsidence of the
ground will certainly take place from time to time, creating fissures
even in concrete foundations, whereby not only will the stability of the
houses be endangered, but noxious emanations will arise from the
mass of putrefying human remains below.
It will be useful here to consider what is the probable condition of
bodies buried in the earth after the lapse of many years, and upon
the authority of Casper I give the following particulars:—
When the body dies putrefaction sets in at once, and continues so
long as it is allowed to remain exposed to the air. If this be excluded
the process is arrested; but if the air be re-admitted the process goes
on again.
Other things being the same, newly-born children putrefy more
rapidly than others; aged people yield slowly ; women who die soon
after or during childbirth are said to putrefy very fast. Thin, spare
people resist decay longer than fat, flabby ones. Drunkards keep
well. Death from extensive injuries or very exhausting diseases
means rapid decay.
Moisture accelerates the process within certain limits, as no decomposition
can take place without it; and bodies buried in dry sand,
as in the desert, simply dry up and become mummified.
Much water, however, retards decay; and at the same temperature
putrefaction will be found to have advanced as far in one week in the
open air as in two weeks under water. Extremes of cold and heat
are unfavourable to decay; but warmth, combined with moisture,
accelerates it most.