The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-08

age ana eXcretal matter, have been con-
sumed, and with such satisfaction that the
number of crematories are constantly be-
ing added TO. The old saying is true that
"a prophet is never without honor save i'm
his own country" 1t is, therefore, not to
be wondered at that the distant cities
named were the first TO profit by the
suggestions / have made from time 10
time, through the American Public Health
association. At Wheeling, W. Va, the
authorities tried the ordinary retorts at the
gas works and found that they answered
very well. They also found at that
city and at Pittsburg that the Or
binary blast furnace proved to be
an excellent crematory, and without the
least otiense or slightest odor being per-
ceptible to those engaged in the work.
| The first experiments in Wheeling, con-
Quoted two years ago, were tried in the
very thickly settled parts OF the city, not
one OF the inhabitants knowing anything
about the tests being made. At Pittsburp
the same results followed; at the Garrison
school building, Rockford, H., crema-
tory is in use, the invention of DIR. w. S.
Ross, a prominent physician OF Madison,
KY, by which the excrctal deposits of a
large public school are consumed every
day, without offense or odor to those en-.
gagged in the work. After the closets of
this school had been used for several
weeks by over 100 children, contents were
consumed at an expense OF less than 10
! cents, and the residium found TO be less
than one quart. These closets are entirely
fire-proof, little harmless, odoress
ash being all that is left after the
work is done. They are compact.
taking up about the same space asa water.
closet. The foundation Of the pit and its
walls are OF brick laid in cement, both
being coated with preparation that il
tire-proof and water-tight, so that none OF
the contents can come in contact with
wood substances, and there can be no pos.
sible saturation. The patent works per.
icctly, and the closets are being duplicated
in many OF the public schools OF the north
and northwest. All the public schools in
Memphis and, indeed, every house in
Memphis, should be supplied with one of
these patent closets. Every means and
method for the disposal OF excreta, house.
hold and street wastes is in the last de-
gree deleterious TO pubic health. Fire
must be resorted to everywhere. In Lon
don, the crematores established in 1888.
10y Mr.. Leo Shore, are the most complete
yet given TO the public As erected at
Letes wharf, II represents externally a
cubical mass OF brick-work about thirty
six feet long by twenty-four feet deep.
and twelve feet high. 1t consists
OF ten compartments or cells lined
with friedrich, all well tied and
bolted together. The top forms per-
fectly flat platform, having five openings
about three feet by two feet, each in the
center, into which the refuse TO be burned
is shot or shoveled. About wagon load
a Ia s,,t. La. Ie.la
referred 10, each time the furnaces require
feeding; il falls upon sloping hearth,
which is covered in bya reverberitory arch
OF fire brick, and II slides forward when
sufficiently dry toward the fire bars where
II burns somewhat fiiercely the friedrich
arch above concentrating the radiant heat
upon II. The opening for the entry OF re.
fuse is divided from the opening for the
exit OF gases by wall a bridge prevent
ing the refuse, which is heapcd up imme-
diately below, from finding lis way into the
main tlue. Two ellis are provided ~
special openings, about three feet by three
feet, Immediately over the red fires, Tor
the introduction OF infected mattresses, or
other bulky things, where they are readily
consumed without causing a smell. In
several towns these openings have been
found valuable fsr destroying condemned
meats. Gases from the furnaces on their
way TO the chimney shaft pass through
large multitubular boiler Of special con-
struction, and arranged with ilucs so that
every particle OF heat may be utilized.
Tho result OF the process is, that every
thing IL consumed, or converted either in
TO clinkers or fine ash.
The labor Of two men suilices 10 feed the
cells by day and that Of two by night and
n similar number for the withdrawal OF
clinkers etc. The gases in the boiler gen.
crate steam TO drive horizontal engine
with cighteen-inch cylinder and thrcc-foOt
stroke. This engine works three mortar
mills with pans eight feet in diameter
Into these the clinkcB made IN the dc.
structer may be mixed with lime and
ground into mortar. From the same boiler
steam Is also conducted 10 two .our-horso
power engines, fixed at the end OF the de.
structcr, which drive powerful gearing au.
tomatically arranged 10 liit the wagons as
they enter the yard and 10 tip their con.
tents directly on the top Of the furnaces.
No fuel Of any kind is required, the refuse
being amply sufficient 10 generate steam to
drive the whole machinery. A small yer.
teal boiler Ia connected with the small
hauling engines in case they are required
10 lift refuse whom starting their works.
The gearing OF the lift is automatically ar
ranged 10 stop itself In case the man should
neglect his duty. The drawing OF the
clinkers gave ample evidence Of the heat
contained In the cells-molten metal aud
glass, etc, In one red, glowing mass, form.
ing In some instances In bulk, cindcrs
two feet long by one foot wide. Water a.
conducted near 10 hand by which the
clinkes are Stacked and taken ut once 10
the grinding or mortar mills. These works,
from sanitary and probably beneficial
point Of view, are, beyond doubt. far ahead
OF similar business works, either In Lon.
don or elsewhere"
"Aro these crematorios costly?"
81 think not. The ono just described
by the London Sanitary Engineer was built
at q cost OF perhaps $1,000"
"Do You think Il could be duplicated IL
Memphis for that amountY'
II think for hall the amount. Crcma
tories are less complicated In construction,
and without the machinery might easily
be erected for 81 800. In East India the
health authorities have very satisfactorily
tested the carbOniEalon OF sewerage and
household and street wastes in rctorts,
aud u is hoped that will become the per.
manent method thorc OF dispo-ing Of all
Gillette matter. The sionchcs arising from
closets that are not regularly and peri.
odically flushed are 10 many warnings
that, oven with our fine system Of sewers,
there Is great danger growing out Of tho
wiliul Ignorance and neglect Of the tenants
or the logged and determined stupidity