366 
ON THE SUPPOSED ANTI-SEPTIC PROPERTIES OF PEAT 
CHARCOAL. 
Mr. Jasper Rogers, some years since, suggested the appli- 
cation of peat charcoal to lining the coffins of the dead, so 
as to effect a partial embalmment of the corpse. The recent 
researches of Dr. Stenhouse and others, however, shew that 
wood and peat charcoal hasten the decomposition of the 
body, instead of preventing or retarding that process; the 
noxious gases evolved being absorbed and oxidised within the 
pores of the charcoal, where they are reduced to their 
elementary innocuous principles — Vide 66 Economical Ap- 
plications of Charcoal to Sanitary Purposes' 1 By Dr. 
Stenhouse. Published by Highley, London, price Sixpence, 
The application of charcoal to the use above-mentioned is, 
nevertheless, one of much importance, the general adoption 
of which would be attended with important sanitary results. 
Mr. H. J. Traice, of Leeds, then read a Paper 
on Williamson's improved system of colliery venti- 
lation. 
In order that the causes of danger of explosions in coal 
mines may be so dealt with as greatly to decrease the proba- 
bilities of accident, we must either dilute the explosive air in 
the mine till it has lost its explosive property, or we must 
remove it before it can mix with atmospheric air in the pro- 
portion which renders it explosive. 
According to the system I propose, the ventilating arrange- 
ments are altogether different from the method ordinarily 
used. What would ordinarily be the main downcast wind- 
way, is made the main upcast windway, the roadway nearest 
the workings being the main downcast airway. Air passages 
passing overhead draw the foul air from the goaf to the 
upcast airway. The effect of this withdrawal is to cause a 
