— 309 — 



faction, so as gradually to restore that to its primitive' 

 purity which was already spoiled. 



" This property," adds Berzelius' " possessed by 

 charcoal of absorbing different substances formed by 

 putiefaction, permits it to be employed with advantage 

 to prevent the putrefaction of organic matters. Meat, 

 for example, has been enclosed between two thick 

 layers of powdered charcoal and left in the state for 

 several months at a temperature of bO° Fahrenheit. 

 When taken out it has been found perfectly sweet ; 

 and putrefaction only commenced after exposure to the 

 air for several days. This property of charcoal has been 

 frequently utilised in domestic economy for the preser- 

 vation of animal substances." * 



The quotations just made from the great work of 

 Berzplius, affurd no explanation of the mode of action 

 of charcoal in arresting putrefaction ; but coupling the- 

 fact with the continued absorption of oxygen, and its 

 conversion into carbonic acid by combination with car- 

 bon within the pores of the charcoal, it is evident that 

 the meat is surrounded by an atmosphere of carbonic 

 acid when buripd in chaxcoal ; and we have the evi^ 

 dence of Hildebrand that meat placed in an atmos- 

 phere of carbonic acid became paler but was still ino- 

 dorous at the end of fifty -one days. 



Thus at one and the same time putrefactive change 

 of the night soil when mixed with charcoal, is arrested 

 so as to prevent the formation of fresh emanations, and 

 the foetid organic matters already in existence are de- 

 composed in the manner I have already shewn ; and it 

 would seem to be impossible to obtain a more perfect 

 deodorized and desinfectant. That both the deodoriz- 

 ing and disinfecting powers of charcoal are sufficient 

 for all practical sanitary improvement I do not hesitate 

 to affirm. 



Let us noAv apply the foregoing details to the sanita- 

 ry condition of Mauritius, and review the plan I had 

 the honor to submit to the Sanitary Committee; which 

 has since been formally adopted by the Extraordijaary 



♦ Traitfe do Chinuc, 1, 321. 



