Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-12-03

creta Of all flesh eating animals (which
includes the human family aud al
though hayins been satisfied Of the
correctness of my theories on this
subject, | went beyond my W as
we'll as others opinion. | made a
semi natural analysis OF the matter in
question during the month Of June,
this year, with an average heat in the
shade 80 degrees. The result Of my
treatment brought forth one-third
Of animalcule, which grew to the size
ofmaggots without fly deposits, and
within eighteen days transformed itself
three times, the last into kind OF
moth. l also discovered that the old
er the oxcreta the more putrid aud
more subject to the action of heat and
moisture. Thus in the highest state
of putrifaction the animated matter
propogates itselia thousand fold, which
when subjected to a specific heat and
moisture, will transform itself
into a kind of fungus
Of germs Phalaena Lunnaeus (micro-
scopic only. 1t is from these me
chemically decomposed excreta, as well
as rotten eggs from which the almost
unseen moth comes.
Although tedious as this semi nat
ural analysis is it is simple, but teaches
US that natures analysis differ from
that of men. We must watch the
evolution of matter in its various
states of decomposition Gas result de-
ponds on treatment to learn what is
dangerous to life and health. | did
not wish to expound my private studies
on sanitation, but a sense Of duty to
my fellow men forces me to do so,
endeayoring to impress upon every
well wisher Of Memphis his duty to
support our local board of health. in
their ordinances for the a~bolishmesG
Of our privy vaults. Let not in our
city by May LIST be found condemned
cisterns, and get sewers without delay.
aud everlasting profit will be our re-
ward.
In conclusion, / wish to make a few
remarks as to a few questions asked
me some days ago by a well to do real
estate owner, as to my idea Of the fur
ther disposition Of our excreta after
the adjustment of our privy
vaults. | will simply state that the
mode Of accumulation Of the matter is
left TO our choice. Our board of
health has provided for that in the
possible cheapest way. As to remov
ing the same, | do not doubt that our
legislative council will provide also for
the possible cheapest mode; under
their own direction to be contracted
for by the lowest bidder. Expenses
for this contract to be met by a gene
raj taxation, say 50 cents on the one
hundred dollars, is little, but will
cover all expenses and leave a little
over for other sanitary improvements.
! do not fear that our legislative coun-
Gil will rush blindly in and give one or
two men the monopoly of removing the
excreta at an exorbitant price. If
there is any money to be made by it,
the council will look to the interest of
our district besides, if not done by
general taxation, and directly through
the legislative council, or board of
health, and under their supervision, it
never would be half done.
Another question is, how about
emptying and filing of vaults,
where the owner is too poor
to pay for the same, aud
the contractors refused to do the work
without certainty of pay, "and you
can't squeeze blood out of a turnip."
OF course this is a vital question and
our legislative council will have to
degise a plan to meet such cases of
which doubt not thousandswi come
before his honor, the president OF our
district. Considerable delay may be
caused in these important sanitary
improvements Of our board Of health
before May next, unless timely pro
visions are made to meet and over.
come all obstacles. G. H. B.