CREMATION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 638, 10 July 1874, Page 3

CREMATION.

From New York papers to hand hy the m ail, we hud that the proposal to adopt cremation instead of burying the dead is being actively discussed in that city. A meeting of those in favor of the practice was held there on the 3rd April, which, although not largely, was influentially attended. It was resolved to form a society to promote the practice, and a number of members were enrolled. The New York Tribune of the Bth April gives some particulars of the progress which the movement is making in Europe. At Zurich, where burial ground is growing contracted, 2,000 persona have subscribed towards an association founded in favor of burning the dead. At Basle the movement had received the public approval of orthodox clergymen—also on the ground of promotion of health in the community. In Germany the newspapers are talking about the subject a great deal, while one firm in Berlin has advertised the invention of a new furnace in which to perform the operation. And, Inst, a churchwarden of a Jewish

synagogue iu the same city has proposed to establish on a new burial ground, lately 'acquired, one of these furnaces. Professor Bruneth, in the Revue 'Scientific, describes an apparatus for cremation, which, however, is mere!} an invention of his own, and may not be the most convenient means of effecting the object. The professor states that, “ having made several experiments on the human subject, in which the bodies were burned in the retorts of gas manufactories in closed receptacles, and with free access of air, he first satisfied himself that the complete and perfect performances of the proce s would be impossible, under ordinary circumstances. In the first place, there is required an oblong furnace of fireproof bricks, having ten holes by which the intensity of the fire can be regulated. The Upper part of this should be hollowed to receive the coffin, and over this a domed cover is to bo placed, by which the flames as in a reverberatory furnace, may be directed upon the body. Within the coffin is a metal support, or table, on which the body rests, fixed by thick iron wire. The operation embraces three periods the heat ■ ing of the body, the spontaneous combustion, and finally the incineration of the soft parts, and the calcination of the hones. During the first period, and about half-au-hour after the pile of wood in the furnace has been lighted, the combustion of the bo ly commences. It gives off a large quan - tity of gas, and the management of the reverberatory' part of the furnace is of great imp irtanoe. If the wood lias been well arranged, two hours suffice to produce complete carbonisation. During the third period, the air holes being opened, tire carbonised mass is collected and placed upon a fresh plate, and the heat is now urged to the utmost, a fresh supply of wood being inserted. By means of this arrangement, at the expense of about 150 pounds of wood, complete incrementation—that is to say, incineration of the soft parts and calcination of the bones—may lie effected in two hours. When the furnace lias cooled, the cinders and bones are Collected and deposited in a funeral uni.