[99] During an official enquiry held by Mr. Holland, in November 1874, into the management of the Tooting cemetery, it transpired that four or five inches of intervening earth had been deemed necessary by the inspector of the cemetery, instead of the twelve inches stipulated by law. In the case of private graves the coffins had been laid without any intervening earth at all.
[100] The Congress of Hygiene at Brussels recommended an intervening space of 400 mètres between a cemetery and any habitation.
[101] The Greek word cemetery means a sleeping-place, and the idea of rest would be far better conveyed if only ashes were laid there, as no further atomical change would be possible.
[102] In the Tooting cemetery enquiry, November 1874, it was proved that although the subsoil required draining, the merest surface drainage had been resorted to. The Burial Board admitted that in one instance a coffin had been deposited in a grave with water in it sufficient to cover it.
[103] Patent Office Records.
[104] 'The decomposition of bodies gives rise to a very large amount of carbonic acid. Ammonia and an offensive putrid vapour are also given off. The air of most cemeteries is richer in carbonic acid (·7 to ·9 per thousand—Ramon de Luna), and the organic matter is perceptibly large when tested by potassium permanganate.'—Dr. Parkes, 'Practical Hygiene,' 4th edit. 1873.
[105] See foot-note, p. 53.
[106] Dr. De Pietra Santa.
[107] 'In vaults the air contains much carbonic acid, carbonate or sulphide of ammonium, nitrogen, hydrosulphuric acid, and organic matter. Fungi and germs of infusoria abound.'—Dr. Parkes, 'Practical Hygiene,' 4th ed.
[108] Raulin.