EXCRETA OF TOWNS. 
361 
The hydrocarbon saffrene contains C 10 H 16 . It boils between 155° and 157° C.; 
and possesses a density of 0-8345 at zero. 
Nine-tenths of the essence distil over between 230° and 236°; this portion is 
the oxygenated principle safrol, C 10 Hi 0 O 2 . This body has not a rigorously 
constant boiling-point, because it resinilies slightly by the action of a high tem¬ 
perature. Safrol has a density of 1*1141 at zero, and remains liquid at -20°. It 
does not combine with the bisulphites. By the action of an excess of bromine 
it yields a solid crystalline pentabrominated derivative, C 10 H 5 Br 5 O 2 . 
EXCRETA OF TOWNS. 
The following is an abstract of a paper on a chemical method of treating the excreta 
of towns, by Edward C. C. Stanford, F.C.S., read before the Chemical Section of the 
British Association at Exeter:— 
In this paper the author advances arguments to show that the present water-closet 
system cannot be a permanent one, and submits a method by which, using charcoal in¬ 
stead of earth, the dry system can be universally employed in cities. 
The specified objections to the use of water are:— 
1st. The enormous cost of the works required in proportion to the small amount of 
noxious material to be removed. 
2nd. The large annual outlay required to keep the closets in order, and their unfitness 
for the dwellings of the poor. 
3rd. The immense quantity of water required (365 times the weight of the excreta) 
where, as in many towns, there is much difficulty in obtaining it. 
4th. It results in a subterranean flood of filthy water, which must flow somewhere; 
and wherever it flows it pollutes the region, thus distributing and disseminating the 
evil. 
5th. The material removed has its value of 30s. per ton reduced by dilution to Id. 
per ton, which it is impossible by any known chemical method to extract with profit. 
6th. The sewers generate an abundance of noxious gases, which diffuse malaria into 
our streets and dwellings. 
Instances are given of large outbreaks of gastric and other fevers entirely traceable to 
this source; and authorities are quoted to show the extreme danger of the poisonous 
emanations. 
Dr. Fergus, of Glasgow, first pointed out a fruitful cause of escape of these gases into 
dwelling-houses. He frequently noticed a peculiarly offensive sickly odour in attending 
patients suffering from gastric fever, and in all cases traced it to the lead siphon and 
soil-pipes of the water closet. 
On examination these were always found to be perforated with small holes, through 
which the gases freely escaped into the house. In some instances the whole interior of 
the pipe is eaten away and lined with a light brown powder, the nature of which was 
investigated by the author of this paper. From the several analyses given, it contains 
86 to 92 per cent, carbonate of lead, and 2 to 3 per cent, carbonate of,lime. The carbonic 
acid, aided by the other gases of decomposition, acts on the lead, producing carbonate 
of lead under similar conditions to those which obtain in its manufacture on the large 
scale, the carbonate of lime being derived from the solid excreta. The evil exists in 
many houses where it is long unsuspected, and it shows that lead pipes are quite un¬ 
suitable for carrying house excreta. 
Dry System .—None of these disadvantages can be urged against the dry closet, still 
less can any serious evil attend its use, for it meets every sanitary requirement. Its ma¬ 
chinery is simple and effective; cheap in first cost and in use. It effects at once a great 
saving of water, and it enables us to secure the whole value of the excreta. When dry 
earth is used, the only objections to its adoption in large cities are— 
1st. The difficulty of obtaining the supply of dry earth, three and a half times the 
quantity of the excreta being required. 
2nd. The cost of removal, involving the carriage of 3^ times the weight of the excreta 
into the city and 4| times its weight out. Both these difficulties are at once removed 
YOL. XI. 2 B 
