The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-06-03

lHoi"s says
sit is, in my humble judgment, impos
sible to estimate the benefits that will re
suit from the labors of Mr.. Moule, in this
important branch of hygiene. 1t has al
ready in the infancy of its introduction into
Bengal, worked wonders
The Madras Reports declare that Wher
ever large numbers of persons under con
trol are congregated, Mr.. Moule's system OF
conservancy has been entirely successful
cite these authorities from the work OF
DR.. Corfield, elsewhere quoted.
DR.. Steuart, of the Maryland Hospital
for the Insane, after arranging very com
plete water closet system, has been CON-
PEELED to disuse it, because the sewerage
could not be suitably disposed of. l OBJ
served at a late visit that earth closets have
| been substituted, but | learned that while
in sanitary point of view they were salts
factory, the emptying of SO large number
of vessels, and the supply of so large a
quantity of ashes or earth is wearisome and
veXatouS.
The special value of dry earth in this
connection is to the ordinary country or
village dwelling; and there its application
is simple, easy and effective. The princi
| pie is just this: instead of allowing often
sive things to accumulate, and presently
removing them in their offensiveness to the
cultivated soil which is their natural dest-
nation: instead of this system, to carry
that same soil and apply it in detail to the
offensive matter, thus deodorizing it at
once, and making it easily manageable.
| Several conditions must be observed in
order to success.
/. The application must be coal ashes or
| earth" Brick Earth " is said to be the
best, but the ordinary soil around us an
swers every purpose. Sand is not at all
suitable,
,. The earth must be dry. Various ar
Judgements are proposed for drying the
earth conveniently and for using it over
again, but these are all supertluous to US.
In our climate we have only to choose a
suitable season and dry the earth in the
sun.
5. The earth must be in the condition of
powder. 1t may be passed through a
seive with three meshes to the square inch,
OF it may when sun dried he reduced to a
powder by breaking the clods; or better
still in time of drought, one may collect
the dust of the road.
4. The earth must be applied freely, so
as to smother each discharge, and to absorb
all fluids. Chamber Stops and the like must
be emptied elsewhere. -Four pounds of
earth day to each member of the family
is an ample provision.
1t is estimated that circular vessel, two
feet deep and one foot nine inches in diane
ter, for the use of family of five persons
will not need to be emitted oftener than
oEce a fortnight.
Just here | may be allowed to give the
results of my own experiments on limited
scale
On removing into the town of Easton,
several years ago, | was not pleased with
the surroundings of the dwelling | was to
occupy. The house, fronting toward the
west, and situated close to the southern
limit of the lot, overlooked the premises of
four different families, comprising some
thirty or forty persons, laboring people,
whose narrow lots abutted against my own.
The prevailing breeze of Summer came to
me laden with the odors of their privies,
pig styes and COW pens. My first expert
ence was most unpleasant.
Moreover, | was dependent for water on
a well not more than twelve feet deep, and
| shuddered to think of the possible perco-
lations into it.
determined, first to order my own pre-
misses, and then, by moral suasion, to intlu-
ence my neighbors.
So, ] ordered barrel of hydraulic ce.
ment, and in a day or two the bricklayer
cemented the walls of the well. Thus all
surface water was cut off from the sides of
the well, and supply insured from the
bottom. | am not even thus protected
with certainty from the leakage of surface
water; but it is the best can do.
Then put a sink in the kitchen, another
at the well, and yet another at the spout
from the roof, all connecting with drain.
Thus, was relieved from the nuisance of
Stops thrown about the yard, and thus the
whole premises drain off rapidly after rains.
There was no place in the house where
could set an earth closet, and, indeed, |
was not prepared to purchase one.
therefore placed barrel in each of the
prives, with suitable scoop, and provided
other barrels under shed. | then sent
man to place near by, where the founda-
ton of house was being laid, and OBJ
| tanned the gift of some earth, and also the
use of the brcklayer's sitter. In two
hours time had the barrels filled with
sifted earth, enough to last half year. |
have not had occasion to sift any more
since that time, the dust Of the roads suf
| fcng every purpose.
The members of the family were urged
to throw in habitually the scoop measure
of earth, and if, occasionally, this was neg
lected, shoveful or SO of the dust was
thrown in from behind.
In the result, these privies have been
habitually free from all disgusting appear
ance or smell. The contents could be
thrown at any time into a wheelbarrow,
and applied to the garden, with as little
unpleasantness as if it were garden mould
that was to be handled.
AS for my neighbors, l cannot say that l
have won them to the same systematic
arrangement. They are at some pains not
to annoy me: a pig sly within very few
yards of me is seldom perceived. But
whenever any offensive odor is waited to
me, worry them until dry earth is freely
applied, and the nuisance is at once abated.
would fain hope that some who read
this paper may be persuaded to try the vir-
tues of dry earth in the removal of domes.
tic impurities.
If were about to build a house should
certainly make provision for the regular