EFFECTS OF BURNINGS IN TOWNS. 277 



its best effect for health. The streets, alleys, and many yards and 

 small vacant lots were covered, and so far the formation and evolv- 

 ing of pestilential effluvia were lessened. But as this was not the 

 object in view, and indeed the chemical action of shells was not 

 thought of, the process was incomplete, and must necessarily have 

 been less effectual than it might have been made. The shelling 

 ought to have been extended to every open spot where filth could 

 accumulate to every back -yard, in every cellar, and made the " 

 material of -the floor of every stable, and every other building of 

 which the floor would otherwise be of common earth. In addition, 

 after a sufficient lapse of time to saturate with putrescent matters 

 the upper part of the calcareous layer, and thus to make it a very 

 rich compound, there should have been a partial or total removal 

 of the mass, and a new coating of shells laid down. The value of 

 the old material, as manure, would probably go far towards paying 

 for this renewal. If it is not so renewed, the calcareous matter 

 cannot combine with more than a certain amount of putrescent 

 matters ; and, after being so saturated, can have no further effect 

 in saving such matters for use, or preventing them from having 

 their usual evil Bourse. 



The burning of towns is well known to be a cause of the healthi- 

 ness of the places being greatly improved, and that such effect 

 continues after as many buildings, or more, have replaced those 

 destroyed by fire. Indeed this improvement is considered so per- 

 manent, as well as considerable, that the most sweeping and de- 

 structive conflagrations of some of our southern towns have been 

 afterwards acknowledged to have proved a gain and a blessing. 

 The principal and immediate mode of operation of this universally 

 acknowledged cause is usually supposed to be the total destruction, 

 by the fire, of all filth and putrescent matters ; and in a less de- 

 gree, and more gradually, by afterwards substituting brick and 

 stone for wooden buildings, which are always in a more or less de- 

 cayed state. But though these reasons have served heretofore to 

 satisfy all, as to the beneficial consequences of fires, surely they 

 are altogether inadequate as causes for such great and durable 

 effects. The mere destruction of all putrescent matters in a town, 

 at any one time, would certainly leave a clear atmosphere, and give 

 strong assurance of health being improved for a short time after- 

 wards. But these matters would be replaced probably in the course 

 of a few months, by the residence of as many inhabitants, and the 

 continuance of the same general habits ; and most certainly this 

 cause would lose all its operation by the time the town was rebuilt. 

 But there is one operation produced by the burning of a town, 

 which is far more powerful which in fact is indirectly the very 

 practice which has been advocated- and the effect of which, if 

 given its due weight, furnishes proof of the theory set forth, by 

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