, 1874-03-01

The disposition made of tho human body after
death has varied in all times and countries It has
been dependent upon ths religious views or the
sentimental natnre Of a people never upon the
method Of utility or upon any scientific reason
In whatever way tIe subject is approached with
reference to any change, there is IN Inherent
feeling that looIss upon any other moda than the
proyailin. one with dstrast and horror, which is
q result OF education and custom, not to say
prejudice. =
Tho question Of cremation, or the process Of
resolving, BY fire. the body into the clements Of
which it is composed, has lately been hroaehed;
and, however it may at first glance appear re-
pugnant to the feelings, it cannot be disputed
that the advocates OF tho msthod present many
reasons which at least merit attention.
When the spark Of that fame j
Which CLEANS, but WARNS no moro tts cherished
earth,
has departed, there is left certain combination
Of material clements which are ut once subjected
to the laws which govern inorganic and inani-
mate matter. The instant the guiding and con-
trolling principle OF life is wanting there simply
remains 30 much water, carbonic acid, and
ammonia, with some small portions Of iron,
limo phosphorus, etc. The ceaseless activity OF
forces DEGREES that these shall be separated,
diGused, and broken up, to form now combina-
tions. Nature requires their presence in other
forms, and sooner or 1ater will hare them It is
no longer question of sentiment, but OF stern
aud unconprornising utility, from which there is
no appeal.
Tho question, therefore, is whether We will
ALLOW Nature to carry on this work in her OWL
way, or whether We will aid her By the moans,
and in manner, which better understanding
Of her lava has rendered possible. That which
= 1t takes her periods Of time, varying lin pro-
portion as our. efforts to preserve dead body
oppose her cnds) from months to years, or cen
turies, to effect, can he accomplished in few
hours-carefully, exactly, md kindly, without
any Of that sense Of horror which would be felt
could the process OF tho natural decay Of body
be realized by the survivors, and without any OF
tho Ill effects which too often follow her method.
Modern researches hare shown that to fright
kAA0N07@a 0@N<N1ASAoN
presence Of organic germs in the water and air.
How much of this arises from the escape and dig
| ecnaination Of theso germs from OUT places Of
aepnlture it is difficult to say; aud indeed, in
thinly-settled districta tho danger may bo small
But, while in older countries tho question already
asaumes shape which presses for solution, it
must be borne in mind that our cities are rapidly
increasing in size, and that what is to-day
deemed sufficient distance for safety may In q
few years be- brought into d dangerous proximity.
In matters OF wealth, education, and socia1
government re assume q guardianship over
posterity; shall ne he less careful in tho
vital matter OF life and health7 Tie
very places which no now look upon with
tho sad yet pleasing sentiment Of final, silent
city Of rest, may in the future become loathsome
spots, breeding dieease and death, full Of all
foulness and the places where no arc wont to
finger, which re adorn with monumental tablets
md lovingly wreathe with flowers, becom,
sh, mned and abhoued. Death has sting and
the grave victory and the thought that after
deatl, worms destroy this body is not wholly
mitig. tied or relieved by the vain Illusions with
which we seek to veil the horror OF the reality.
At tie Vienna Exposition were exhibited
samples OF cremation Of the human body, the
prepa7atio rs OF distinguished Italian Profess
sor Of Anatomy. In the short time OF three
and half Aozrs, at minimum OF expenditure
for fuel, there was produced about sA pounds
Of aahes and bone earth, Of delicate white,
which wera contained in glass box u inches
long by inches in width and depth. hiodefn
sciere may be trusted to elaborate q process,
st>onca simple and thorough, which aha1 sat