The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-07-25

In years what is 70 become of these tonbs2 Ik
my own eXDer1enee have seen the bones OF one
man pushed aside into corner In order to-
crowded vault The idea is distastsf1f. Be4tsr
below than above ground.
pr J. Dickson BrRns was interviewed to the
Rep-Docor, what are your Views respecting
Intermural burial. I refer TO Its. sanitary res
DR.. B.~Experience has shown that no evil
effects suit when tho interment has beer
Rep1Tben doctor you d5 not think that the
exhalations OF cemeteries are conducive OF dis
ease2
DR.. B.-I am not aware that any such sxhala@
tt0Ds do arise, when the FAULTS are properly
constructed and closed Besides, II by no means
follows that what offends the sense Of smell
necessarily breeds disease. The odors eInana-
ting from q tannery, from abatt0irs and pack
ing establishments are not agreeable; yet mo-
evil effects result to those engaged in the bslsi-
ness. After death the virus Of infectious dis-
eases disappears with decomposition. The OBJ
lection. to intermural burial is mostly @ moral
one. A number of funerals passing through a
thickly populated city have O depressing effect
In times nf epidemic.
Rep.-Whteh do you approve Of, burial in
vaults or below the GrOundY
Or. Il. L approve of neither The time will
come wh.n cremation of the body will be uni
yersal. AS between vaults and the earth. the
latter where the soil is clay. is preferable do
not approve OF metallic coffias. A common
wooden coffin placed in the ground soon rotg.
Earth is the best deodorizer.
DR.. J L. Scott was engaged when called upon
but received our reporter affably, and respond
ed as follows:
Rep Doctor your views are solicited about
DR.. s. Well, have not given the matter very
serious attention. but on general principles
ReD.-Do; you think that disease Is propagated
by putrefying matter?
Dr.. S-Yess sir; We, have seen that on the. bat
tleield where bodies have been left exposed,
kep.-CJuld infectious disease be spread af-
ter ri inttsrmsnt + qr in q vault?
the vault was, properly closed or not. Tam Of
the opinion that disease can result from dead
body prior to accommodation.
ReD.-Wbich do you favor, fntermenki In tha
Or. s.-Within the limits Of a city. interment
in the earth: where the earth Is
CLAY, WOULD BE PREFERABLE,
owing to its powers as q deoomposer Outside
of this city's limits. however. vaults would an
sWer. lnterments under ground, however, de-
pend pend entirely upon the nature Of the soil.
Water rerainS the germs of disease longer.
Hep.-HDW about cremation
DR.. ST. believe in cremation most decidedly.
Rep.-You think, doctor. that what is offensive
to the smell is injurious to the health
DR.. S.-Yes, sir; am inclined to believe that
way-that Is. in certain diseases.
Dr. j. ii. Lewis, one Of our oldest resident
physicians, was called upon at his residence on
Royal street, and asked:
Doctor. do you think the system Of burial In
this city deleterfous to its hygiene?
DR.. LeWis-No. / do not think so and it is
the better evidence that such Is not the case by
he fact thai, We have several large graveyaFda
in the very heart of the city and yet no injury
has been known to result from tuem. You can
Judge OF 1t for yourself. Have you ever smelt
any offensive odors while going through our
graveyards
Kep.-In your experience, doctor. have you
known sickness 10 prevail out OF proportion In
the immediate vicinity of the cemeteries?
DR.. LII have not. Properly sealed vaults
are sufficiently effective to prohibit the escape
Of the gases. OF course, If the vaults or tombs
are not properly sealed the gases will ooze and
be injurious. In that case he who runs may
read" as he goes through the cemetery.