Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-09-09
Dry Earth Disinfectants.

The " BoNsl Of Health Of Washington has
done very wise thing in adopting the use of
" dry csr,h as a disinfeetant for out-hOuses,
&c What is known as g Earth closets have
bcou uscd for several years in Paris and other
European cities, and also in the Army and
Navy Hospitals, with entire success. The
earth is taken when thoroughly dry, pulverized
and sftcd, in order to free it from all stones,
grit, sc. BY simple mechanical arrange
ment it is thrown upon the fecal discharges,
which it almost Immediately deodorizes, and
converts into an inodorous poudrette A cor
respondent informs us, that he has used fer
tilizer thus prepared in a large garden, upon
all kinds Of vegetables, fruits, and berries with
results beyond bis most sanguine expectations.
In cases when the dry earth caunoi be OBJ
tanned and prepared, an e5cellen; substitute is
found IN well-siitcd coal ashes, especially when
used upon stiff, clayey soils. 1t is ascertained
that the Chinese and japanese whose lands
sustain the deusest population in the world,
and APPEAR like one vast garden have for cen
turtles utilized all night soil.
The Washington authorities have enacted a
law, that every householder whose premises
are not drained by a sewer, shall be required
to use this disinfsctant, which is to be supplied
them free Of cost by regularly appointed en-
ployees Of the Board, who viii be amply paid
for their services in furnishing the " dry earth"
and removing at regular intervals the valuable
poudrette, by its sale to gardeners and farmers
in the vicinity.
If such regulations as these be rapidly en-
forced the densely populated and badly drained
portions of the city, which are annually the
haunts Of disease generated by malarial iuhu-
ence, will soon become healthier. Thousands
Of children die every year from diseases, which.
in a great measure, owe their origin to the eff
fuvia arising from out-houses. If those most
interested will heartily cooperate with the au-
thorities which have so wisely originated and
put into operation this great reform, not only
will many lives be annually saved, and the
general health of the city be improved, but the
means of sustaining life be largely increased by
more abundant and cheaper supplies of good,
wholesome vegetables.
1t is an error to suppose, Jour correspondent
informs US, after two years experience,l that
there is any injury to health in the use of vcge-
tables grown upon soil thus fartilized. The
earth, being perfectly dry and finely pulverized,
Immediately absorbs and fixes the ammonia
and other valuable properties contained in the
contents Of out-houses, &c Would it not be
well for the Town authorities in our County,
to investigate this matter, and see if similar
regulations would not be beneficial here also
The necessity for such action does not exist to
the same extent, but the breezos in portions
Of our towns are not laden with tho most
agreeable Odors. In view of the rapid strides
that the Cholera is making in Europe, it is
almost certain to follow its old track and reach
this country again. This being the case, every
precautiOn should be taken to prepare for as
pure an atmosphere as practicable in order
that it may pass us by.