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34
"of water-removal might be introduced, and which
"would secure the utilization of that which is now
"an entire loss. "Since that time the introduction
of earth closets has been found to attain the objects
to which I alluded, and I would strongly recommend
in cases where water closets cannot be constructed
that in such instances the earth closet system be
introduced. The great danger of all accumulations
of human refuse arises from the fact that the germs
which are produced in such abundance in diseased
bodies, retain their vitality for months and even
years, and are capable of propagating disease when
they come in contact with human beings. It has
been shewn that all matters containing carbon, as
garden mould, charcoal, cinder, dirt, &c., are
capable of decomposing these diseased germs, and.
thus of disinfecting poisonous discharges of every
kind. It is on this principal that diseased meat
loses its putridity when buried in the earth, and
that charcoal when placed in coffins with the dead
annihilates the disgusting odour exhaled, and prevents
illness in those who come in contact with the
dead body. Tt was a Divine injunction on the Jew
to bury the refuse of his household in the earth.
Next in importance to the abolishing privies is
the filling up of cesspools. Since the year 1856,
244 cesspools have been filled up. To those who