The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-07-24 00:00:00

" HUMATION AND CREMATION."

The following letter has been sent to The Times, for pub.
lication:— . . .

Sir,—Having taken a great interest in the matter of
humation, and especially in the proposal of cremation
by Sir Henry Thompson, I would venture to lraw
attention to the subject once more, lest all that has
been said and written should lead to no practical re-
sult.
I do not think that the English public will ever give
a general consent to cremation, as it is so opposed to
the religious sentiment, an* for this reason it might
be advisable to bring together the points in which
most people would be agreed.
1. The opening of new cemeteries should, as far as
possible be avoided, and those in use should be utilized
to the fullest extent. In the able letters of Mr. S.
Haden, the cemetery at Woking has been mentioned
as the only one of any size which fulfils all the condi-
tions as to sod, drainage. &c., and he proposes the
opening of another of similar dimensions. But all that
a new cemetery could give would be obtainable in many
of the old cemeteries by the adoption of a somewhat
different practice from that in general use. It is true
that the density of the clay in many cem.teries is
greatly against the execution of the principle "earth
to earth ;' but this objection would be done away with
if the clay were burnt. A heavy clay soil would be
best adapted to bring about harmless decay, so soon as
it has been rendered permanently porous by burning.
In this condition its power of absorbing gases and of
decomposing those which are injurious is very great.
Instead of Sir Henry Thompson's rapid combustion,
we should have a process of slow burning.
The dotting of the country with new places of burial
cannot be thought of without alarm. When we reflect
upon the increase of the population and the present
methods of burial, we find no one sanitary condition
carried out, except as to putting the dead out of our
sight. What may happen to generations unborn is a
matter that gives the living no concern.
All, then, are agreed that the opening of cemeteries
except by the Government, and under the advice of the
Medical Officer of the Privy Council, should be dis-
allowed, and, as far as practicable, that a choice should
be made of a suitable soil.

2. It may be still a question, but I confess it is not
so with me, whether the purchase of graves should be
allowed in the State churchyards, as it would involve
a vast increase in their dimensions, and this for no
good purpose. There is abundant room for im-
mortalizing those who would otherwise be soon for-
gotten by monumental records in our churches, and it
would serve a more healthy purpose, as regards the
living, if the names of those who have departed were
kept more prominently before their fellows. When
the graveyard surrounded the church, the gravestones
interested all the inhabitants of the parish; but it is
not so with the cemetery. It might be that portions
should be set.apart in the old cemeteries, where inter-
ments might be "for ever," but that these should
only be obtainable at a price which would go far
towards paying the common expenses, on a system,
which would prevent injurious consequences to the
living, and on the condition that they should be kept
as open spaces for the recreation of the public.
3. All are agreed that the receptacle for the dead
should be as porous as is consistent with the object in
view. I have ventured to recommend perforated sheet
iron as best adapted to the purpose. The tenacity of
sheet iron is well known, and its strength is such that,
if the coffin were made of this material it would be
strong enough to 'resist the pressure of the earth, and
yet sufficiently perishable to answer the purpose which
I have in *Aew. The oxydation, or rusting, of the
coftle could be promoted by imperfect galvanizing;
and the formation of " rust " would give a visible
appearance to drainage from a cemetery. Not only
would the formation of rust aid in decomposing certain
gases, but the very decomposition of the body would
serve to increase the oxydation and dftruction of the
coffin. The galvanic action between the two metals,
zinc and iron, might be still furthir promoted by the
use of chloride of lime; rust would induce rust, and
thus the object of bringing the earth after a time into
contact with the body would also be attained.
4. The re-employment of the grave after the lapse
of tea years or so would, I imagine, also be a settled
point. Now this can only be accomplished by shallow
graves. If the burial could be performed within 48
hours of the death of the body, so much the better for
continuous decay, and somewhat after the following
manner. The coffin, of perforated iron (at the lower
half, when necessary not perforated), should be covered
with a lid of similar substance. It should rest upon a
layer of charcoal, and the grave itself should be one
foot wider than the coffin, so that the porous condition
should be fulfilled in all directions. Where, as at
Woking, the soil is sandy, that material would be
used for filling up, so that the lid of the coffin is at
aboilt Gft. from the surface. Or course the ground
should be turfed and planted.
When the soil is a stiff clay it must be burnt, and it
will then offer no hindrance to aeration, the idea
which is in the mindslof
I have endeavoured to set forth the views which are
held by many. For myself I can safely say that my
attention has been re-awakened by the letter of Sir
Henry Thompson, and that the public is deeply in-
debted as well to him and to Mr. S. Haden as to your-
self, for allowing the subject to be ventilated in The
Times.—l remain, Sir, yours faithfully,
ALBERT JAMES BERNAYS.
Chymical Laboratory. St. Thomas's Hospital,
Medical and Surgical College.