Natural Disinfectants 223 



ground thaws, the accumulated matter may be 

 covered. While the material is frozen there will 

 be no danger from it. It should be said that 

 this trench would better be dug near a row of 

 trees or other strong -growing perennial plants. 

 These will quickly take up the products of the 

 night-soil which might, in rare cases, tend to 

 contaminate the soil -water. If but little of the 

 night-soil be deposited in one place, the earth 

 and plants — two most efficient disinfectants— may 

 be trusted to preserve good sanitary conditions. 

 However, pains should be taken to discover if, 

 by any possible means, the sewage may find 

 its way into the well. An intelligent inspection 

 of the soil, the stratification of it and the rocks, 

 will reveal the direction which the soil -water 

 takes ; but if the cesspool and the drains are 

 placed some distance from the dwelling, no con- 

 tamination will take place under any circum- 

 stances, since the amount of sewage is so small 

 and the power of plants and soil to take up the 

 dangerous products of sewage is so great. 



