Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-02
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
LIGHT AND poIsoN.-GAs AND HEALTH.

osp5cd from the London Lancet" which we rcpub
EEs at the request of professional gentleman, who
mot only deems the article highly interesting in
sts.lf, but thinks that its statements and sugges
tions will soon be applicable to the large cities Of
eur own country.
PROM THE LONDON LANCET.
How Londoners contrive to live is physiological pro-
5le Theory tells that the functions of tho animal
economy sustained in health by the influence Of
Herna agents brought into relation with the body in
state of purity Experience demonstrates that the
this huge metropolis carry their existence
although possessing Of the elements of life in purity
Daring period of four years Analytical Sanitary
CnzAssion has been engaged in exposing the mutiform
and extensive authorizations of that class of our ailments
which recruit the body through the stomach Its abors
far from exhausted Is there any solid or liquid that
eat drink with wefounded security that it
Is either unsophisticated wholesome? The water we
iuk is chemical and mechanical trate prepared with
very distant approach to the successful elimination OF
ingredients that do not enter into the philosophical deh
of the element The whence we still con-
draw Of the first necessares Of life is the
Thames which in its ebb receives the unspeakable abo
a1ions discharged from the houses of the inhabitants
aari nations which in their flow brought back again
full tide of seething corruption If shun the pes
cetia banks Of the river we seek In vain for purer
s2r IN the distant streets.
Perhaps the most pleasing. and certainly the most
arins and comprehensive plan Of acquiring distinct
HHrression of large town is ascend neighboring
isence, and to survey it as it lays extended
uaP model under our feet IL stranger wish to in
pec the giant city after this fashion, and determine to
climb to the top Of St. Pauls or Hghgatehill for the
purpose, he must not only choose his day we'll but also
efe hour He must rise early There is only time for
gsimpse. Soon after fre-ghtng has begun, the coal
SNAKE belching forth from 300 900 household chimneys
zad no end OF factories, gathers rapidly into cloud,
nser and denser and eectuay ntercepts the vision of
the observer. The smoke, which hangs like pail
Che streets, filing every avenue, is not only sitting
aisace in ITSELF but it serves convenient medium
r the suspension and retention Of every other noxoIs
rhaiation. The Legislature has decreed that this nu
shall be abated far the smoke from
Scs,ry cbmneys Dr. Neil Arnott, the to whom the
U<fd is indebted for so many additions to the
ces oflife, has contriyeda domestic fregrate which,
II universally employed would have the effect of arrest
Eng those numerous petty columns of smoke which
m the great London cloud We earnestly trust that the
Exrcuive viii enforce what the Legislature has ordained
nd less earnestly that the inhabitants of the town
will by the adoption OF Dr. Arnots stove, do that
part which it depends upon themselves to perform
The very soil is sodden with every kind of compound
the senses and engender disease Wherever
che outer crust Of granite is lifted up for temporary
Fpose the black loan that is brought sight and the
aspyxatng vapors that arise suggestive Of leaking
SEWERS and and the accumulation of every thing
naat IS foul and loathsome. The daring skill of the
chemist has sought explore and define the constitution
II this artificial SOIL Recent researches in this new field
aE geological investigation show that there different
STRATA and different kinds of detestable formations As
general rule the lower strata consist Of less
sidiied mud collected by the builders and road con-
tors as the first and most appropriate foundation for
houses and streets. This dilugial compound is ALWAYS
maintained in its original of putrescence by the
oozngs from the drains and which inter
seEt it, The upper strata of the great London
ycsite vary somewhatn their nauseating characters
< from the lower In the upper strata, the
Exce, the gas-pipes and from this exudes
sapiousy peculiar venom The wan and haggard aspect
f ehe unhappy whose perous vocation it is to turn
the reeking filth betrays the effect of the poison upon
the system when inhaled in state of concentration Is
&c worth while to consider what may be the effects of
sH carnations of this poisonous bed when slowly dis
Ell from the surface and brought into the general atmos
uaeric circulation of town in somewhat diluted form
Eis rendered probable by positive examination that
<c foot of earth, when taken nderently from almost
any part Of the streets under the pavement contains
.uugh deeterous compounds proceeding from, gas leak
1gS 20 poison a strong man. DR.. Letheby has shown
inst this proportion is constantly and rapidly the in
sase lie foretes that period is at hand when it will
&c absolutely dangerous to disturb the ground.
Pablo opinion has been directed with some success
sa1st those isolated the intramural grave
szt 1t is discovered that the entire superGces Of
e metropolis is poison bed 1t has become momentous
1estion to determine what measures be adopted,
Dos to purify the earth upon which dwell least to
ARREST in time its further contamination That portion of
s Angean task which consists in stopping the escape of
Sswerage suppose must leave to the good inten-
us and the leisure OF the commissioners of The
Exesacva.ion of the upper strata from further pollution
,z chiefly with the gas companies 1t is not matter
NJ danb that the chief source Of the poisonous
Hon Of the soil is the gas that perneates the tubes in
eh it is carried for distribution The gaseous mate
s escaping from the pipes before consumption are con-
eRsed into various horrible compounds with the earth
Ehe chemical elements Of these compounds are eucoun-
ard in other forms during combustion Whether under
me ground above it, coal gas which should bring
oiog but light heat and cheerulness is ever evolving
chs most health destroying emanatons. Tried at the
tgyuers, the gas universally consumed proved
Il be perncious while circulating in the mains Dr.
eby has recently laid before the city commissioners of
sHTcrs the results Of his examinations into the umi-
asing power and chemical qualities Of the gas supplied
~ the city of London 1t not present purpose to
n1sder the different Illuminating powers Of the gas sup
Ebod by the different companies. We will however call
axtention to remarkable fact On comparison we
ahserve that the Illuminating power bears constant in
verse proportion to the of poisonous conamina
Edn in other words the defect in the element of light
usde up with comparative liberaty by the gratuit-
pra supply Of ammonia, suphuretted hydrogen and BIZ
pnuret Of carbon II the gas escape by leakage from
The house the deeterous compounds we have Just
nazned are those which poison the atmosphere When
sine gas is burned inundated with poisonous fumes
oG different nature The sulphur compounds are partly
zverted into sulphuric acid The vitrioc vapor is diff
15ed throughout the air in quantity sufficient to corrode
snKtever is corrodabe and therefore we NAV fairly as
in quantity sufficient exert the most deleterious
xence upon the constitutions of those who are doomed
% inbale it. Dr. Leheby has found that the unrest gas
iurnt in London yields less PROPORTION than 7
grains Of anhydrous sulphurc acid to 100 cubic inches
wst the foulest gives out 1879 grains These astouud
lng quantities have been actually separated bv chemical
processes But the agency of the corrosive ud has been
SIMPLY traced by inspection of the various goods and ar
rfSles of furniture exposed to its influence It was dis
Sered years ago, that the books the library of
tae Athen@um Club undergoing rapid destruction
sc traced to the suphuric acid formed during
<e burning Of the gas continuance Of Prof Faradays
10