BUFFALO CITY SEWERAGE 
AND 
SANITARY SCIENCE. 
A PAPER READ BEFORE THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY CLUB, JAK 3, 1866. 
OLIVER G. STEELE, Esq. 
Gentlemen of the Buffalo Histokical Society: 
The subject of City Sewerage having been assigned me by this Society, I pro- 
pose to treat it, first, in its historical relations, and second, to make some obser- 
vations and suggestions upon the general subject of Sanitary Science, of which 
sewerage is the basis. The subject is one of great importance, in its relations to 
cities especially, as well as to all aggregations, howrever small, of habitations for 
human beings. Nature is continually passing through a process of dissolution and 
regeneration. The products of each year are consumed, forming the animal life 
of the current year, while those portions which nature rejects, or is sloughed off 
in the process, are the active elements in the next year’s re-production. It is one 
of the paramount necessities of civilization to regulate these fixed operations of 
nature in such manner as to restore to the earth, as the great original producing 
power, every element of future production; while, at the same time, the matter 
which will inevitably accumulate shall be disposed of in a manner as little offen- 
sive as possible to the human family, A failure to do this, will sooner or later 
bring upon the community discomfort and disease, corresponding with neglect and 
inattention to natural laws. 
Cleanliness of person and habitation is one of the first as well as the highest 
attributes of physical civilization. The inexorable laws of nature must be obeyed, 
and while the savage regards it scarcely more than the beasts of the field, his 
advances in civilization may always be measured by his increasing regard for the 
decencies of life. As population advances and gradually acquires fixed habitations, 
these necessities become more pressing, and conveniences are created to meet its 
requirements. The tendency of all mankind to gather into communities and create 
what finally becomes large cities, brings with it the necessity for disposing of the 
inevitable accumulations of rejected matter. 
The ruins of every ancient city show upon investigation, that a large element 
of its construction is that which pertains to the disposal of rejected matter and offal 10 
THOMAS’ BUFFALO CITY DIRECTORY. 
of the city. While it is not a subject which finds a place in the dignified pages of 
history—except in casual allusions to stupendous structures for water-supply or 
roadways—the vast underground work, for their drainage, have scarcely attracted 
the attention they deserve. It is a fact that the under ground work in all great 
cities, ancient and modern, has been one of the greatest of their local works, and that 
the cleanliness and consequent health of every large city, is just in proportion to 
the completeness of its under ground drainage and water-supply. Large cities in 
our own country are comparatively modern. It is only within the present century, 
that they have approached the proportions of the cities of the old world. They have 
also been built too rapidly, and by a population too much engrossed in the pressing 
requirements of life, to give much attention to those improvements wTiich posterity 
were to be the principal recipients. Sewerage, therefore, on any large scale, was 
substantially unknown, and water works on any scale adequate for general and 
individual supply, wrnre rarely attempted until within the present century. 
With these preliminary remarks, 1 proceed to the subject of City Sewerage, 
which comes within the class of subjects which may properly form a paper for this 
Society. 
Previous to 1847 the subject of underground drainage had attracted little atten- 
tion. A stone sewer had been constructed in Seneca street, east of Ellicott, and 
also one of a similar character in Swan street, both draining into a small sewer in 
Michigan street, which connected with the Little Buffalo Greek. These sewers— 
or drains, as they were called—answered a very good purpose for the time, doing 
excellent service to the property upon their lines. 
In 1834-5 some attention was given to the subject, and sewers Avere constructed 
in Ellicott and Oak streets, but of a very inferior character. They were but five or 
six feet deep, constructed of dry brick, with a board bottom, the bricks laid up pro- 
jecting inward till they met at the top, and held in place as soon as laid, by the 
soil thrown upon them. Even these wretched sewers did good service for many 
years, but have long since been displaced by sewers of modern construction. 
In 1847, under the mayoralty of the Hon. E. G-. Spaulding, the progress of 
local improvement had been such, that special attention was drawn to the subject of 
sewerage, and on the formation of the committees of the Board of Aldermen, a 
new one was created called the “Committee on Paving, Sewers and Lights.” 
This committee consisted of 0. Gr. Steele, Orlando Allen and Luman K. Plimpton, 
Although a new committee, it proved to be the most important of the year. The 
call for paving was pressing, city lights there were none, and sewerage was so little 
known as to be scarcely recognized among city improvements. 
There was, therefore, abundant work for the committee. Paving on a large 
scale was commenced that year. Public lamps were erected on Main street—oil 
lamps—so insufficient as to be a constant source of ridicule for the local editors ; and 
the first great receiving sewer in Michigan street, from the Canal to Batavia street, 
was constructed. 
This great sewer, the first proposed by the committee, has now been constructed 
over 18 years, and has never failed in any essential particular. Its cost at that 
time was considered enormous, and it was vigorously opposed by many of the pro- 
perty holders of the district proposed to be taxed. Its construction involved many 
important questions. First, its great expense. No sewer or drain ever before 
constructed, had cost but a few hundred dollars, while the tax proposed for this 
sewer was $12,500 ; a sum unprecedented in such improvements. The principle 
of taxation was also an important question, it being the first receiving sewer pro- 
posed under the city government. The few sewers previously constructed, had 
proposed to drain only the street and lots in which they were laid. The new 
system proposed to tax for an ordinary sewer only, and all other territory proposed BUFFALO CITY SEWERAGE. 
11 
to be drained by it, a certain proportion for the privilege of outlet for its lateral 
sewers. This principle, which was then established, and its equity now universally 
admitted, was fiercely contested, and it required the earnest and united action, as 
well as persistent effort of the committee to obtain a confirmation of the assess- 
ment roll. Several minor sewers were ordered during the season of 1847, and on 
the 15th February, 1848, the committee submitted a report recommending a 
general system of sewerage. This report contemplated so large an expenditure as 
to alarm somewhat our property holders, and was not adopted. It was, however, 
ordered published in the proceedings of the Council at an expense not exceeding 
five dollars, and placed on file. 
This report, upon which our whole system of sewerage is based, has since been 
carried out by the City Government, and has proved eminently successful. I 
would beg to read it at this time, as the shortest way of informing you of its 
general plan. 
REPORT. 
The Committee on Sewers, to whom was referred the subject of preparing and submitting 
to the Council a system of sewerage, which will embrace a systematic under ground drainage 
for the city, would respectfully report: 
That they have given the subject the consideration which its importance demands, and 
would submit for your consideration the following plan for the principal sewers, which it is 
believed will, with a proper construction of lateral sewers, furnish a complete drainage for all 
those portions of the city which are now built up, or which probably will be for a considerable 
period. 
The importance of a complete system of under ground drainage, seems not to have been 
sufficiently appreciated by our citizens; and until the past season no sewer has been constructed 
with a due regard to the requirements of the city, as well in the extent of their lines, or the 
mode of construction. Sewers were constructed many years since in Washington, Swan, and 
Seneca streets, and also in Ellicott and Oak streets, which notwithstanding the defective manner 
in which they were constructed, have been of great service to the streets in which they were 
located. 
It is, however, unfortunate that these sewers were not of a greater size, and more substan- 
tially built, there being already a great necessity for their reconstruction, and which must 
inevitably be done within a very few years. The great convenience which has been derived 
from these sewers has satisfied the owners of property in regard to their utility, and has done 
its work in preparing the public mind for a complete system of sewers, which will embrace the 
entire settled parts of the city, and provide outlets for such other portions as will hereafter 
require the same advantages. 
In the establishment of this system of sewerage, the city must rely for the general cleanli- 
ness of the public streets, as well as the means of providing every dwelling house with an out- 
let for its surplus water, and all substances which unless carried off by some under ground 
medium, must operate injuriously upon the public health. This public advantage, together 
with the extreme comfort to private families, arising from the facility of disposing of all the 
surplusage which necessarily arises from domestic avocations, will at once commend itself to 
all, as one of the most important improvements, both in a public and domestic view, which has 
ever been entered into by the city. 
Most of the large cities in this country have already adopted to a greater or less extent, a 
system of under ground drainage, and it is a settled fact, that those cities which have adopted 
it the most extensively, are in the enjoyment of the greatest degree of cleanliness, and conse- 
quently of public health. The city of New York has heretofore been the most deficient in this 
particular, and this neglect has been occasioned by the peculiar nature of the soil upon which 
the city stands, which is composed of sand and gravel, very porous, and into which all sub- 
stances of a fluid nature, are easily absorbed. For this reason sewers on the scale necessary 
in most other cities have heretofore been deemed an unnecessary expense. It has however 
been found by experience that this natural advantage is not sufficient for the enormously 
increasing necessity for under ground drainage, which has been created by the density of the 
population. The great variety of avocations carried on in all large cities, which in many 
instances create intolerable nuisances, can only be tolerated, by the facility afforded by the con- 
struction of large public sewers, accessible from all portions of the city, and sufficiently 
capacious for all manufacturing and domestic purposes. This necessity has been pressed upon 
the city of New York, and the Common Council are now actively engaged in providing for the 
entire city, and at an enormous expense, the necessary sewers for its accommodation. Thai 
this great expenditure is fully justified by the necessities of the case, has been made clearly 12 
Thomas’ buffalo city directory. 
manifest to the city authorities; and is generally concurred in, and the expense cheerfully borne 
by the property holders of that city. No subject of local improvement involving so large an 
expenditure has ever been adopted in that city, which has commanded so entirely, the approval 
of its inhabitants. The cleanliness and general health of the city of Philadelphia, is owing in 
a very great degree, to its very complete system of sewerage, adopted at an early day and 
systematically continued. All the other large cities in the Union, so far as your committee 
possess any knowledge, are provided with public sewerage to a degree corresponding with their 
necessities, and which is gradually becoming more„perfect, as its great necessity on the score of 
public health, cleanliness and domestic comfort, has become properly understood. 
No city within the knowledge of your committee has carried the system of sewerage to such 
a degree of completeness, both in a public and private application, as the city of London. 
The sewers are of the largest dimensions, when required for conductors, and the most per- 
fect connection with all parts of the city, by means of lateral sewers. So perfect is the combi- 
nation and connection of this system of sewerage, that every building or tenement has access 
to their subterraneous passages,—thus enabling every family to dispose of every drop of sur- 
plus fluid created by domestic necessities. The importance of this system to a city so densely 
populated as London, where so large a portion of the city is occupied by the lower classes of 
people, compelled to crowd into the smallest possible space compatible with mere existence, 
and where the unavoidable nuisances created by such a system must breed pestilence, is easily 
imagined. So necessary has it been found for the preservation of the health and cleanliness of 
the city, that it has been long established by law, that every tenement shall have a drain con- 
nected with the public sewers, sufficiently large to convey off every particle of domestic sur- 
plusage. 
The system of sewerage in Paris is also on an extensive scale, accomplishing the same 
objects as that of the city of London, and subject to similar municipal control and supervision. 
It is, therefore, an established necessity in all large cities that a system of under ground drain- 
age should be established and maintained. In the consideration of the subject of a general 
system of sewerage for this city, your committee have in the first place endeavored to estab- 
lish the great lines of receiving sewers, which will be sufficiently capacious to receive all the 
lateral sewers, which it may be necessary to discharge into them. With this object in view, 
your committee would respectfully submit for the consideration of the Council, the following, 
as the lines of principal receiving sewers, which it is necessary, in their opinion, should be 
adopted by the Common Council, at the earliest practicable period. 
Ist. A sewer through Michigan street, from the Erie Canal to Carlton street. This sewer 
is now completed as far as Batavia street, and is under contract to Genesee street. It is built 
of hard brick. 4t<j feet in the clear, and of a circular form, which is deemed the best mode of 
construction for sewers of every description. From Genesee to Goodell street, for the construc- 
tion of which, there is now a strong application before the Council, it will not be necessary for 
the sewer to exceed half the size of the sewer below Genesee street, and from Goodell to Carl- 
ton street, a sewer 2 feet in the clear, will doubtless be sufficiently large to accommodate the 
section of territory draining into it. 
2d. A sewer in Delaware street from a point in the vicinity of the Johnson house, to Gen- 
esee street, and from thence to the Erie Canal. A portion of this sewer north of Mohawk 
street, is now in process of construction. From Mohawk street it should be sunk at least ten 
feet below the surface, and 3 feet in diameter to Genesee street. From thence to the Erie 
Canal, the size should be increased to 4or feet. This sewer will receive all the drainage 
of Delaware, Franklin and Pearl streets, and also Genesee, Court and Niagara streets, centering 
at the Public Square, and in all of which streets, sewers must eventually be constructed. 
3d. A sewer in the eastern part of the Second and Fourth Wards, in the streets nearest 
the general course, and receiving the water of the “Big Ravine,”so called. This sewer should 
commence as high up as Genesee street, and continue to the Little Buffalo Creek, and should 
be of a capacity sufficiently large to receive the large amount of water which naturally flows in 
that channel, as well as the additional drainage which will accrue from the large and increasing 
population in that part of the city. 
The necessity for the construction of this sewer is by no means pressing; several years will 
doubtless elapse before it will be required by the owners of property in that region; but your 
committee believe that its necessity is apparent, and that its ultimate construction should be 
recognized and determined upon, that the improvements in that part of the city may be made 
with reference to its final completion. 
4th. A sewer commencing at or near the intersection of Delaware and Virginia streets, 
following the general course of the ravine or water course in the rear of the old Johnson place, 
to the Erie Canal. 
From the broken and unfavorable nature of the ground in this section, it will be impossible 
to carry this sewer through streets, or to divert it in any manner from its present channel. It 
will, therefore, be only necessary to recognize this channel as one of the great lines of public 
sewers, and construct in the streets intersected by its channel, substantial stone culverts across 
their entire width. BUFFALO CITY SEWERAGE. 
13 
The ravine being an established water course, cannot be obstructed by any of the owners of 
property on its line, and they will therefore be compelled either to leave it open, as it is at 
present, or to culvert it, in a manner corresponding with the street culverts. 
These four lines of receiving sewers, will in the opinion of your committee, provide for the 
entire drainage of the city, for a long period, and perpetually within the limits embraced 
by their two extremes. Other sewers may be required north and west of the last mentioned 
line, should it be deemed necessary by the increase of population, but the number proposed, is 
sufficient to provide for all the prospective wants of the city, which should properly come within 
the cognizance of the present legislation. 
There are also some sewers of minor extent, but which it will be necessary to construct 
independently of those indicated, and which should be constructed at as early a day as practi- 
cable. Among these, is one in Erie street, from South Division street, to the Erie Canal, and 
which should receive a lateral sewer from west Swan and Seneca streets. Also a sewer in 
Court street from the Erie Canal to Morgan street, and thence through Morgan street to 
Mohawk street, receiving the water of the sewers in Mohawk and Niagara streets, which center 
at that point. This last named sewer will receive the water flowing across the land from 
Niagara street to the canal, thus enabling its owners to fill up and improve it as they may 
desire. 
It may appear on a cursory view of this subject, that the amount of improvement proposed 
by the foregoing system, is too extensive for the necessities of the city, and may startle property 
holders by its expense. It must be borne in mind however, that a large portion of the improve- 
ments contemplated, are not of immediate necessity, and will require many years for their 
completion. The main object of your committee is to lay the foundation of a complete sewer- 
age system, which will eventually embrace all portions of the city, the execution of which will 
devolve upon successive councils, who will order the work as it may be required and applied 
for, by various sections of the city; but which should all be executed with reference to a general 
and established plan. 
In furtherance of the plan herewith submitted, it will be necessary that accurate surveys 
should be made of the lines of receiving sewers proposed, and a map of each line, with the 
proper levels and grades entered upon it, prepared and deposited in the office of the Street 
Commissioner. 
A general Sewerage map should also be prepared, which will exhibit the line of sewers, 
already constructed, with the location of the several openings and inlets, and from which the 
proper direction and grade of future sewers, connecting with the main lines, or the Erie 
Canal, can at all times be ascertained. 
Your committee would therefore beg leave to offer the following resolution: 
Resolved, That the City Surveyor be directed to prepare a general sewerage map of the city, 
which will exhibit all the lines of sewers already constructed, with their grades, openings and 
inlets, as far as can be ascertained; and upon which map, shall be entered all sewers which 
may hereafter be constructed by order of the city, with their grades, openings and inlets, and 
such other information as may be necessary to place the city authorities in full possession of the 
facts necessary to establish a complete system of sewerage. Adopted. 
O. Gr. STEELE, 
0. ALLEN, 
L. K. PLIMPTON, 
February 15, 1848. Committee on Sewers. 
It will be seen that the Report embraced the territory from Carolina street on 
the west, to the Big Ravine, as it was termed, in the old Fourth Ward, near Spring 
and Pratt streets and northerly as far as Goodell and Virginia streets, then substan- 
tially the limit of population. 
All the receiving sewers named in the Report, were constructed in a few years, 
including the proposed large Sewer in the Big Ravine before referred to—which 
was mainly by the efforts of S. V. R. Watson, Esq.,—and the sewer through the 
great ravine in the rear of the old Johnson Place, near the Buffalo Female 
Academy, and passing between Georgia and Carolina streets to the canal. 
The success of the Michigan street Sewer was so decided as to settle the whole 
question as to the utility and policy of large receiving sewers. Previous to its 
construction, that part of the city, above Eagle street, was destitute of any system 
of drainage. All the water which fell upon the surface/remained until taken up 
by evaporation. No cellar or vault could be made available, as the first hard rain 
would fill them with water, and no means existed to carry it off. The sewer 
remedied all this. It was built circular in form, feet diameter, and sunk 10 14 
Thomas’ buffalo city directory. 
feet below the grade, thereby fully meeting every requirement of the large territory 
proposed to bo drained, and changing in a very few years, the whole character of 
that portion of the city. As fast as the sewer was completed, connections were 
made with it from the buildings on the street, and lateral sewers were speedily 
constructed in the cross streets. It is but just to say that as its value developed 
itself, all serious opposition ceased, and the whole territory was in a few years 
thoroughly drained. Large receiving sewers outside of the limits referred to, have 
since been constructed, and one of the largest in the city, known as the Emslie 
street Sewer, built in the easterly part of the city—through the territory known as 
the Watson purchase, and other property outside of the city limits—has brought 
that large and almost deserted territory into use for building purposes. Nearly 
every street in the old city limits, is now provided with a sewer, and the city from 
being the worst, has become one of the best drained cities in the United States. 
It is mainly to this system of sewering that we are indebted for the reputation, 
which seems now to be established, of being one of the healthiest cities in the State. 
Such is briefly the history of the origin and progress of our system of sewerage. 
I propose now to submit some observations upon the general subject of sanitary 
science, of which sewerage is the foundation, and as applicable to this city. 
The primary object and direct effect of sewerage was to drain the territory of 
its surface water, and receive the refuse water of the houses bordering upon the 
lines of sewers. A broader and more effective attribute was given them after the 
introduction of water by the Water Works Company in 1852. The general 
introduction of water into our dwellings, stores and manufactories, was made 
effective and complete by the facility of draining off the surplusage of mechanical 
avocations and domestic necessities. Our habitations soon became fitted up with 
bathing rooms, water-closets, and all those household improvements which have 
been brought to such great perfection by the art of plumbing, while otit-houses 
and sinks of every description, which become so great a nuisance as population 
becomes dense, have nearly disappeared from the center of the city. 
These great changes in the character of our city in this respect have come upon 
us so gradually as to be almost imperceptible, and yet nothing in the way of local 
improvement has been more important, or productive of greater benefits. The two 
great elements of sewerage and water supply, have insured to us the means of 
perpetual provision against local nuisances of every description, and the under 
ground conveyance to the river of every domestic or manufacturing residuum 
which may affect unfavorably the health of the city and the comfort of our citizens. 
Let any citizen of twenty years’ standing contrast his present household arrange- 
ments with those of the best class of houses previous to 1848. Houses which 
then ranked as first-class would now be considered almost untenantable. 
With what sort of grace would the lady head of any of our first-class houses, 
with the modem necessities of gas, water supply, heating apparatus, and all the 
innumerable conveniences from kitchen to parlor now so universal, submit to the 
first-class house of twenty years ago ? 
And yet, while we have much to congratulate ourselves in our public and 
private improvements during the last twenty years, there is still much to be done; 
and we are far from perfection in sanitary science. While our sewerage is very 
complete, the street inlets are too infrequent, and few of them are provided with 
proper stench-traps. This should be universal, as the often-times noxious effluvia 
from exposed sewers is one of our greatest dangers. Even our houses are some of 
them unprotected in this respect, and this is one of the sources of disease against 
which Ave should be carefully guarded. 
The threatened reappearance of the cholera among us the coming season—the 
first appearance of which in this city, in 1832, was so graphically portrayed by BUFFALO CITY SEWERAGE. 
15 
Mr. Allen at our last meeting—admonishes us that too much precaution cannot be 
taken to prevent, if possible, and modify in any event, the ravages of this terrible 
disease. Every family should look to it that their sewer connections and water 
supply are complete, and that every generating element of disease is removed from 
the premises or adjacent streets. Vacant lots should be examined, and all collec- 
tions of surface water, or discharges from buildings or factories of any kind, should 
be thoroughly suppressed or conducted quietly to the sewers. The sewers them- 
selves should be frequently flushed with water, and the street gutters kept clean by 
frequent washings, in warm weather. To effect all this, a more full and diffused 
water supply appears to be indispensable. 
Nothing conduces more to the comfort and the health of a city, than an 
abundant supply of water. It should not only be abundant, but if possible, 
profuse; and if the present means of supply are inadequate, steps should be taken 
at once to increase the supply, and render its distribution more complete and 
universal. We cannot overrate the importance of this great sanitary element, and 
with an abundant supply, and a judicious use of it, with our system of underdrain- 
age, we may consider ourselves well fortified against any ordinary pestilence. Our 
Health Physician should be a well educated and scientific man, who thoroughly 
understands the principles of Sanitary Science, and who can and will give special 
attention to the duties of his office. Our Board of Health should be men of char- 
acter, and some special adaptedness to the position, and the Health Inspectors, whose 
duty it is to keep watch and guard over the sanitary condition of the city, should 
be men of intelligence, faithfulness and independence. They should be able to 
detect all latent causes of disease, and apply the remedy with promptness and 
i rnpartiality. 
Elements of disease frequently arise from unexpected quarters, but always from 
some violation of sanitary laws. I have recently read somewhere an account of 
a pestilence at a Young Ladies’ Seminary, I think at Pittsfield, Mass., one of the 
healthiest districts of New England, and the institution admirably situated in this 
respect. Yet a form of typhoid fever prevailed to such an extent that the school 
was broken up. The cause was a mystery for some time, and it was finally 
discovered that a sewer had been choked up to such an extent as to prevent a 
proper discharge, and the effluvia thus created was the cause of the disease. This 
example illustrated the necessity of great care in respect to drainage in general, as 
well as a more perfect knowledge of sanitary science. 
It is well, however, to understand that all disagreeable odors are not necessa- 
rily unhealthy. Such is the case with tanneries, soap manufactories, horse stables, 
foundries, &c., and I may add gas works. None of them are desirable for next 
door neighbors, but still do not produce any element of disease. I mention these 
simply to show that while the best regulated houses and neighborhoods may from 
no apparent cause become unhealthy, other localities, seemingly much more 
exposed, may be exempt. It is quite evident that sanitary science is imperfectly 
understood, and that a higher education in that respect should be required in the 
selection of men with whom may be entrusted the responsibility of the health of a 
large city. 
I would here take occasion to allude to a department connected with this general 
subject, which should receive more attention than has heretofore been given to it, 
and that is the burial of our dead. 
Within twenty years past great improvements have been made in this respect. 
Burial grounds, and interments in tombs and vaults in cities, have been prohibited, 
and large cemeteries have been provided contiguous to, but removed from, the 
great centers of population. These grounds have been improved with reference to 
monumental ornaments, the park-like arrangement of the grounds, and the cultiva- 16 
Thomas’ buffalo city directory. 
tion of appropriate shrubbery. Our burial places, instead of being shunned and 
neglected by the hying, are becoming, and in many cities have become, the most 
beautiful ancT attractive resorts for our population. All this is creditable to those 
who have provided these beautiful resting places for the dead, and should be 
encouraged by all. 
But science teaches that the prevailing idea of carefully preserving the body 
from decay is erroneous, and that the object of interment should be rather to 
expedite than retard decay. 
I am conscious that this is a subject which should be treated with delicacy, but 
it is one which should command attention from the living, in a sanitary point of 
view. The law of God and of Nature commands that the body shall return to 
the earth from whence it came, and the spirit to God who gave it. This law is 
inexorable in all its requirements, and all efforts prompted by love and affection 
for deceased friends for the preservation of their bodies, can produce but tem- 
porary delay. 
When the spirit departs from the body all are on a common level. The king 
has no element more sacred than the slave, nor the rich and distinguished over 
the poor and unknown, It may well be questioned whether all our efforts for 
preserving the body by depositing in vaults or tombs, metal coffins, stone or brick 
cases, are not injurious to the living as well as useless for the purpose intended. I 
am aware that this subject is one of feeling and sentiment, and that all civilized 
people have their own customs and prejudices in regard to the disposition of their 
dead. But science and the experience of past ages admonishes us that we should 
meet this subject as we should all others which form a part, and a most important 
one of our duties as members of a civilized and Christian community. 
I hope the subject may be treated by some of our medical men of science, and 
correct ideas and customs may be brought forward for our consideration. 
I would beg to say before concluding this somewhat desultory paper, that I 
have nothing of what may be termed scientific knowledge on this subject of 
sanitary science, but having been connected with various movements and institu- 
tions where the subject has been much considered, I have thrown together these 
suggestions with the hope that some of our members of the medical profession, 
may be induced to take it up, and treat in a thorough and scientific manner.