The Wilmingtonian., 1885-06-27

its ashes every vestige of the cause of death.
Ii suspicion should arise, some time after
the demise of an individual murdered there
would be no opportunity Of exhuming and
making a chemical investigation. feel
assured even, that the practice of making
post mOrtemS would be forbidden and become
obsolete. This is denied by the supporters
of cremation, but history proves the con-
trary.
lu the latter days of Greece and Rome,
this was done; the dead were regard ded with
superstltious feelings. No examination of
the body was permitted. So utterly imposs-
ible was it to investigate the human body
in any way, that Galen was obliged to cross
the Mediterranean Sea, to Egypt, to see and
examine human skeleton. Even in that
land, the most advanced in science at that
time-when Alexandria was adorned by
its great school and the famous library,
during the reign of the Ptolmeys-the
embalmers were obliged to flee from the
mob after fulfilling their duties, glad to
escape from the shower of missiles with
their lives. BY this practice of embalming
some human anatomy was learned, and
Alexandria ultimately became the great
school of anatomy of that time.
1t has been the means ofpreserviug impor.
tant knowledge. The coverings of the
mummies have given occupation to the
scholar, and valuable information to our
generation.
On the other side of the world from US
In India-the British government has been
obliged to forbid by law the practice of the
Suffice. Not only from the question of hu.
manity--tO save the unfortunate wife from
being burned alive with thc dead body of
her husband-but, | have seen it stated.
for the purpose of preventing murder by
poisoning. The cremation of the dead
having been found 50 often to hide the
murder During any great pcstilemcc, max
ing its holocaust of victims, and when the
ordinary burial might possibly invite its
continuance, cremation may be useful, aud
even necessary; or when the number Of the
dead are SO great that the living are too
few to give the usual sepulture But, in the
course of ordinary events, there are strong
scientific grounds Of objection. fit became
the fashion and the custom, the unclaimed
dead would be cremated likewise, and all
opportunities for tho pursuit OF anatomical
| science would be lost Without the cul-
tivation of anatomy and physiology our
medical science would come to gtanerti;I
1t was not until the anatomy of the human
body was understood, that any real and
valuable advance was made in medicine
70 relieve disease, to cure deiormilies, to
cut away malignant growths, to amputatc
limbs successfully, requires a knowledge of
anatomy. The first knowledge necessary
for the medical man, and knowledge
that he must retain more or less completely
during all his medical career. Other things
being equal the better the anatomist the
greater the surgeon will be. The poSt NOR
TEN follows as necessary scientific sequence
Every orc of the public must know, that
to be able to examlno the cause which
produced death, must be of the greatest
value in making medical men to know, what
| they have to combat; the conditions needing
! treatment, and above all, il the means used
have adapted to the necessity; if they have
benefited, Or the contrary.
Every regular physician is always anxious
for snch test, The public have become
educated to appreciate the Importance of it.
Such examinations arc conducted with
such dcl'cacy and propriety in our great
centres, that they are almost always easily
| obtained, and in many cases are requested
by the friends of the patient. Thus they
can learn if there are any hereditary or
constitutional conditions existing. Inrorma.
tion of tho descendants; also if everything
that could have been ne was done Tie
real true advance of civilization and in.
| telligence is to have pOSt-mOrfcm made
in every case. \ severe test of the practi.
TONER'S knowledge and skill. This the
regular physician desires and coults, as he
is only seeking for knowledge and truth
and conscieutiously to do the best that can
be done.
The suggest made, that imterments
may cndangcr the health of our water snrply
is not valid either. Dust to dust, is the
solemn statement, and 50 it is. Soon tbc
once vital clay, mingles with that of mother
Earth. The earth is a giot purifier Ii
has been shown by one Of our distinguished
alumni, DIR. Adncll lIcwspn, that il can
have useful applications in many surgical
conditions.
We know how soothing an application il
is, to the acid pJ'sou OF the insects stipg.
DID our Saviour not make mud and anoint
the eyes OF the blind, as he performed The
miracle Of restoring sight. The Schuylkill
has never been poisoned or contaminated by
Laurel Hill, but from other causes that
ought to be checked The work of tbe
living is often far more poisonous than IL e
results of burial. At Llurel Hill. in tb,
beautiful Wissahlckon gorge, an interesting
geological region, as any one can observe
the dip of the strata is towards the moth.
As the rain dcscends, the water, rercolatinp
through the strata, flows north, away from
the city Even intra-mural burial grounds,
which apparently are more Objectionable.
have their advantage. They keep open
spaces in the great cities; these adorned
with shrubs aud stately trees, are Burke's
great phrase, Lungs for the city"
We have plenty OF room yet u our neigh.
borhood, for beautiful burying grounds.
When the land becomes crowded with the
living, so that there is no place for tie
sacred dead, then will it be time enough
to establish cremation, aud no until then.
Then rcaI advance in funeral Ubsequics at
the present time, believe to he no. ia crsma-
tion' bat ina simple form of burial. In