The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-11-21
Building Ground in its Relation to Health.
BY DIR. EZRA NJ. HUNT.

The condition OF the ground has very
much to do with all questions of health.
. The character of the soil, the degree to
which it can dispose of all that comes in
contact with it, whether in the form of
gases, of animal or vegetable decay, of
pure and impure liquids-all have intrinsic
and vital bearings upon human health.
The making of the earth a fit place for the
healthful habtation of man is a part Of the
problem which creative skill has consid-
cred. We need to become aware of what
constant activities and adjustments are tax
ing place to this end. These are not acct
dental nor incidental, but involved as if
the chief things intended to be conserved.
Where natural transformations are in no
wise interfered with by art it is wonderful
to see how processes involving productions
inmical to health are so conducted as to be
entirely consistent with vigorous existence.
While decomposition is the rule, evil there
from under natural conditions is the excep-
ton. While, for instance, enough caloric
acid is produced each day to kill all the
Inhabitants of the earth, yet it is SO well
managed as not to interfere with the health
of man or animal. But the very moment
a spot comes to be buided upon, it is by
necessity placed in abnormal conditions.
The building clears the ground of that
tary office in appropriating the products
of decay. 1t covers it from sunlight and
sun heat, and necessarily makes its condi-
ton as to moisture quite different. 1t
interferes with the range of winds, and
modities the immediate thermometric and
hygrometric conditions of the atmosphere
1t throws the rainfall into streams upon
the ground around its Sides rather than
allowing it to diffuse itself as it does in
drops. In Winter it causes Accommodations
of snow and ice. 1t alters the course of
water, making, as may be, the cellar, the
well, the cistern, the cesspool, the privy
vault, and the sewer, parts of its under
ground drainage. In word, it alters the
whole relation of the ground occupied and
of it's immediate surroundings. Besides
all this, the necessities of habitation cre-
ate filth, garbage, dust, and refuse of vari-
Gus kinds, which are conveniently added to
the soil Just where it cannot use them
Pettenskoffar says of Munich that about
90 per cent of its excretions 60 into the
city ground. 1t is thus easy to see what
varied conditions are interposed by the very
fact of human dwelling. 1t is still easier
to see how this is magntied and multiplied
as you crowd buildings and inmates.
The great sanitation of nature is sus-
pended, and factors of insalubrity intro
ducsd to y doorae that nnst ,rras. orr most
careful attention. If cities are Ulcers on
III. holy no,;t;c tLev arc not tba less anti
health con,h;n,tinns ,r,;,St tho hodv nbvs
;c,I Questions of ventilat;on are NOT all
ahnve Ground Rad air stagpated in the
,rro,na j. hnrtfm in al, tbat constitutes
hinsalnbr;tv NV ;nterfsring with normal and
hcaIthful atfinities.
II is believed that one of the causes of
the prevalence of sueb feyers as typhus and
,vnIoid in Winter i th,. the rreat inner
haat If bnrscs c,uses tho entrants nf air
from the surrounding oround To set 70 them
nndar rho eaneraI l.. W If cnrrsnts &C sfrsct.J
w., 49, tha hasan,ant md bo,,sa s,,oL
~, .I'a o,,uI o;r non,..,;natad b., IT,
,r r o's7nS;,;nn and the Local h... c,,ses
- 70 nan.Ir,to nova th.n in th, Srmmer
&c ,pd tho air of cassnonls hav. ,bns heen
n.rcantiIJe in Lnrses not sunnled with
hem and where the nro.imiTv was not
near, Often. in cities. foul gases. instead
of beiuy consumed. are DISCHARGED by pines
into sewers and underground connectinrs
This NAV r.l;aya the atmosnhara from the
,,,nsanms o,,t.,u.b hut TO-, nrton .ands i IN
,,,;,.,l., nil H. ,rdarrro,nd .;r 70 ha Al.