PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 533 



SALTING STREETS. 



Prof. Seely thought that the authorities would be compelled 

 to reverse their action with regard to the salting of streets. 

 Some years ago there was much snow, and the streets were im- 

 passable. The next year the streets were salted, and then there 

 was no trouble. He used to think it was a beautiful application 

 of science. Now, all ills are laid to salt — diptheria, etc. Doc- 

 tors railed at it. The question was brought before the City 

 Council, and they passed a stringent act against the practice of 

 salting the streets. There was no objection to salt in itself. 

 Salt was necessary to the human system. Each of us needs 

 about twenty pounds per year. Salt water upon the feet is not 

 bad in itself; salt water bathing and salt atmosphere are both 

 conducive to health. All action of salt in the streets other thaa 

 the lowering of temperature is certainly beneficial. 



There has been more diptheria this year than when salt was 

 freely used. The surface salted is too small to have much effect 

 upon the general health. 



Salt slush is complained of as very disagreeable, both from its 

 filth, as compared with the dry snow, and from its great coldness. 

 Wetting the feet does tend, under certain conditions, to induce 

 colds, but as the snow is certain ultimately to melt and present 

 the same wet and filth, it is only a question of time. The 

 increased cold of the salted snow-water is the only difference. 

 This coldness is overrated. Salt and snow may, when guarded 

 from access of heat, be made to assume a very low temperature, 

 but in the streets, in practice, it rarely goes more than threo 

 degrees below the ordinary freezing point. 



It is averred by some that salted snow-water rots the leather. 

 There appears no ground but imagination for this supposition. 

 Leather does, perhaps, remain wet a little longer for the salt, but, 

 except for this reason, the salt is probably beneficial to the leather. 



The most serious objection to salt is the injury supposed to 

 be done to the horses. It is a general belief that salting streets 

 injures the horses. It probably does in fact injure some whoso 

 feet are wounded, or in some other manner susceptible to cold, 

 but the general benefits to man are so great as to render the 

 injury to horses a small evil.> Salt has sometimes been used in 

 excess, and it is better to use but little. Its use should be under 

 the supervision of the law. Probably the best way would be to 

 apply it at twelve o'clock at night, under the control of the police. 



