Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-14

Cod so much stronger grew the attach
ment to inhumation. The advent of Christ,
together with His death and resurrection,
gave the Inflammation process the sanction
of heaven itself, and dealt a blow to crema-
ton from which 1t has not recovered. The
converts to the doctrines of Christ from
burning, so that at the end of the fourth
century there was but one method among
civilized nations.
The dead human body Is subject to the
same laws as other dead organic matter.
Decomposition, more or less rapid, sets in,
according to the fayoring circumstances oil
heat and moisture. In a few hours the
deadliest poison forms. Not alone this. but
the individual may have succumbed to a
disease which makes 1t absolutely essential
that We dispose of the body quickly and
efficiently. In our libertyloving country.
where but little law exists, and that mainly
a dead letter, where the time OF interment
Is entirely controlled by fashion or the
wishes of relatives, much harm has been
and no doubt will continue to be done
When once dead. however dear they may
have been, we can do no more for them
except to bury or cremate the body.
Legislation has wisely interdicted the
carrying of bodies Of PEI DTS who have
died of contagious diseases on trains. or the
holding of public funerals. II our lawmakers
will also legislate out the fashion of ex-
hibiting the dead in churches. and other
public places. they will receive the ever
lasting gratitude of at least one, the writer.
1t may satisfy morbid desire of curious
individual, but II has often done harm.
One of the dangers of inhumation Is the
infection Of air and water. Although IN
fected air is the least of the two evils IN
vestigation has proven beyond a doubt that
foul air has seriously Influenced the health
of individuals living near cemeteries. 1t Is
not to be taken for granted because there
is no odor perceptible that the air Is not
carrying infectious matter. 1t Is from con-
taminated water, however, that the most
serious results are found These conditions
show that Inflammation is dangerous to public
health.
/ shall be glad to hear scientific reason
why a body should be laid under the
ground to become mass of corruption thai
can do nothing but harm. The BODY disap-
pears, whether placed in the earth or fre
In one case it takes from ten to twenty
years In the other so many minutes. Gre
nation Is the proper and scientific way TO
1ispose of dead organic matter whether IL
be a human body or a decaying cabbage
head. When the body is cremated there is
no further fear from decomposition or dis
ease germs The only plausible objection
that has been offered against cremation Is
that in cases Of homicide through the ad-
ministration of deadly poisons valuable
evidence might be destroyed Even this as
not a serious question In face of the many
advantages gained.
The poet said Truth crushed to earth
will rise again. and so say cremators. All
innovations in sanitary science have mad 10
and as science progresses and customs ana
social conditions change We can look Tor
ward for cremation glorious victory,
triumph of good sense and science In the
interest of mankind.
OLIVER T. BEAUMONT.