, 1880-03-21
FRESH EARTH AS A DlSlNFECTANT.
In the Editor Of The EhicQaQ Tribune

CHICAGO, March 90-The value Of fresh earth
as disnfectAnt Is not sufficiently known, nor is
its use where its merits IRE theoretically rec0g-
nized as general as it should be. It seems to be
so much more certain and easy to procure some
yAunted nostrum ut q drug store that Is war
ranted to do its work that tho more simple and
efrectual agent that Nature has SO bounufully
provided Is given the go-by.
Soil to be eirectuul must be rightly used. We're
the offensive matter Is massed and buried it
would require fur more earth to cleanse it. De-
caying matter put in deep pit will not be
benefited much more By the earth walls which
surrounded it than were they Of stone, and we're
it boxed and quite deeply buried under ground
it would still exhale poisonous gases
Earth should be as finely broken up as posi-
BILE. Dust Of the road is the most effectual, but
finely con,mnuted soil is good, and then applied
thoroughly, the more thoroughly the better, but
covering well over will do. The immediate con-
tact of tho earth with decaying matter stops
the generation Of gases, and processes Of alb
sorbtion or chemical assimilation more or less
completely render the sequence harmless
Some disinfectants step in and arrest Natures
process Of assimilation, but never wholly, and
they are sure to break out again. often with re-
newed vigor- Others do not seek to arrest. but
to trap or neutraliZa the gases gencrnted4 and
never with anything like complete success
feted odor for months You may help the INIT
ter some By strewing chloride Of lime around,
for that catches some OF the gas. You may de-
fer the decay little by carbollc acid Or
some other Of that sort, but it will
scarcely be effectual. while if well covered with
fresh soil your turnips may return to mother
earth and your household know nothing of the
matter. This city is largely n city Of cottages,
each with good yard-rnnm. and that disnErseahle,
nOis0me place, the back yard, can, if little caro-
is taken be transformed into place of health
and sweetness. Earth-closets can be mprovised
without the expense uf the patent, and we ought
winter when the ground is frozen, will furnish
fair substitute for earth, There should be no
underground pits from which excrement can
escape only as gas. but well drained and con-
stantiy earthcd, it can be removed with little or
no offense and used in the yard to enrich and
beautify, instead of bearing the reproach of an
think that judiciously- made and cared-for
earth closet is far preferable to the ordinary
water-closet Of the town. for while it is quite rs
cleanly, 1t has no connection with that network
of pipes that are fcnred to be frequently the
distributors Of disease in otherwise healthy To-
culities-
Besides they are cheap. .....
The kitchen drain is a noisome and unhealthy
place, hut can be nearly II not entirely. cleansed
by continued use Of earth the soil being used
The potency Of this agent is not understood,
and people generally have an idea that far
larger quantity of eartt is required to effect
result than is really necessary.
The c,.rc.ss of a horse weighing over 1000
pounds, buried in finely comminuted soil to
the depth OF nine to twelve inches, will
ant odor exhale, and the decay will be far
1nore rupid than IT exposed to sun and air,
and years would elapse before decay would be
that would insure the safety and comfort of
those who live near the spot
Perhaps architects and others who hnve
studied rho matter can add to these sl1cges-
lions, and great public good be accomplished.
PRo Bono PuBL1co.