The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-01
The Earth Closet and the Treatment
Of Wounds.
To Ne E1iiors Of Me Eueninq Post !:

To the Editors of the Evening Post:
As you were foremost in calling the at.
tention Of the American public to the
Earth Closet Systematic use of sifted dry
earth for the deodorization and disinfection
of human fnces-and thus become the pio-
neer of reform that promises not only
unspeakable relief from the gravest an
noyance of our liyeg, but the prevention
of the greatest waste Of the fertility Of the
earth, it is just that to you should be
communicated an outgrowth of this system
that offers, if possible, still greater benefit
to suffering humanity.
One of the experimental commode5 sent
out by the Earth Closet Company was
placed at the disposal of DR.. Addineli Hew-
son, Of the Pennsylvania Hospital, in Phi
ladelphia. Its INTRODUCTION into the surgi-
cal ward, where it has been for two weeks
in constant use by about twenty patients,
and has been subjected TO the se7erest test
possible, has been go entirely satisfactory
that it is proposed to substitute earth closets
for water closets wherever these exist in
that institution.
At the time of its introduction there was
lying in the ward patient suffering from
n very severe compound fracture Of the
lower leg. The wound was in an unhealthy
condition, and its exudations, amounting
to pint in tWenty-four hours, we're SO Of
fensive as to cause q sickenipg and even
dangerous stencil, that the excellent yenti-
lation Of the ward and the use Of the usual
disinfectants were hardly able even to
mitigate. 1t occurred to DR.. Hewson to
test the power of dry earth to absorb this
odor, as it had that Of eIcrement. The
effect was magical. Not only was the Of
fensiyeness entirely overcome, but the ef-
feet on the character Of the wound itself
was such as no previous treatment had been
able to compass. The suppuration was
within few days 80 reduced that the daily
dressing Of single half pint Of earth was
not even saturated the edges of the flesh
wound lost their infamed character the
| intense pain of the sore was entirely re-
lieyed and healthy granulation has en-
sued.
Such an indication of newly found heal
ing agent was not disregarded.
On Monday last, being in Philadelphia, I
was invited to attend the morning dressing
of the earth-treated wounds. This is what
| saw:
First. Two patients, suffering from serious
varicose ulcers, after prolonged suffering,
and with little relief from the usual treat
ment, have ceased to be offensive to their
ward-mates they find their sores growing
daily smaller all pain and Inflammation
have left them ; and they feel the certainty
of an early cure.
| Second. 4 railroad brakeman, whose
hand was year and a half ago, crushed
| between the coupling heads OF two cars,
and who has never been free from pain,
and seldom from intense pain whose hand
from the wrist to the knuCkles WG5 foster
ing mass Of carious bones and iull4med
flesh, and whose system had been go re-
duced that lie could rot have survived the
amputation, which alone can entirely re-
lieve him, is now happy in freedom from
pain. Ills tlesh-Wound has taken on q
healthy character, and his strength is fast
returning. lie even hopes 20 save his
hand, but the long continued decay Of the
bone makes this impossible.
| Third. Another brakeman, suffering
from precisely similar injury, iii 10
respect less serious, but received within q
few days, was Immediately treated with
dry earth. Its constant application has
entirely prevented inflammation, and q
healthy healing of the flesh and knitting Of
the bone will soon return him to his duties
with two useful hands.
| Fourth. 4 farm lahorer on Friday last
had three of his fingers nearly cut off and
his hand fearfully torn by horsepower
hay-cutter. Since the first application OF
the dry earth Ia few hours after the ecci-
4 L P~o n
will save his hand.
| Fifth. On Saturday last, laborer en-
gagged in breaking up condemned shells, ex-
ploded one that was charged. The powder
| burned his face and arms, and seriously
one of his knees, which was struck By a
fragment of the iron, that completely SHAT
tered the knee pan. His burns and the
! fracture were Immediately dressed with
dry earth, and the freedom from pain and
| the absence Of Inflammation have been SIS
marked in this case as in the others. With
out this dressing the knee joint must inevl-
tably have become involved, and the leg
must have been lost. Nov the wound 1s
evidently healing, and although it is too
early to speak positively, there IS every
reason to hope that the only result OF the
injury will be a stiff knee.
Sixth. Within few days woman was
brought to the hospital with her nee k and
large part of her body very severely and
dangerously burned. That she could es-
cape long weeks Of agony was beyond hope:
Yet on Monday her eye was clear and
calm, and her voice was strong, and When
the doctor asked her how she felt she said
she was great deal better, and that she
had no pain.
Seventh. Last Wednesday an entire
breast was removed for cancer, and the
wound was dressed with dry earth. 1t is
now healing rapidly. There has been no
Inflammation and no suppuration, and this
woman, too-calm and happy-looking, with
o healthy color and steady voice-spoke
| far more than her cheerful words in thank
| fnlness for her relief.
/ Surely, with our gratitude to the Vicar Of
Eordington, who has conferred the greatest
benefit on the human race that it has ever
been given to one man to accomplish, we
must unite our thanks to the senior surgeon
of the Pennsylvania Hospital for thus ap-
plying the principles Of his invention to the
saving of life and limb, and to the allevia-
tion of unspeakable suffering.
And the end, trust, is not yet. 1t seems
inevitable that the pustules OF small l-poz
must give up their pain and their offensive,
ness at this magic touch Of mother earth
and if it is true that its contagion spreads
| from its eXudatiops, may We not hope that
| DR.. Hewson has bound its feet es Mr.. Moule
has those Of cholera Respectfully,
GEORGE Z. WARING, JR.
NeD York, February q, 1863.