APPENDIX.

SINCE the foregoing pages were written, the Volunteer Camp at Wimbledon has again been formed, and again the Earth System has stood the test successfully. There were altogether 170 Closets and Urinals, and these were used, on average, by not less than 5000 or 6000 persons daily. Earth Closets were also erected at the lavatory and ladies' cloakroom, and were used by a large number. Of course, after the controversy which took place as to the diarrhoea of last year, and the doubts thrown upon the soundness of the System, we were naturally somewhat anxious, and we made it our particular request to Surgeon Wyatt that no disinfectants should be used, but that the earth should be tried and stand upon its own alleged merits. He kindly consented; and nothing was used, either in or about the Closets. We have great pleasure in printing the following letters addressed to the "LANCET" of the 24th inst.; one from Surgeon-Major Wyatt, and the other from Captain Drake, Engineer Officer in Command of the Camp :

"In forwarding for insertion in your journal the accompanying detailed report of the cases requiring medical assistance during the period of the late meeting of the

D

National Rifle Association, I have also appended some independent observations upon the practical working of the dryearth closet system from the officer commanding the Royal Engineers, who, from very considerable experience, and most thorough knowledge of this particular subject, is conversant with all its scientific bearings; and I have the more satisfaction in asking you to insert Captain Drake's opinions and recommendations, because they are completely in unison with the views I took the liberty of bringing to the notice of the profession in your journal of the 3rd inst. ; and I think I am justified in the statement then made, that I did not consider the excessive amount of severe diarrhoea which prevailed last year, when the earth closets were first employed, was in any way to be associated with the system, but was probably due to the great solar heat and the unwholesome beverages indiscriminately consumed. During this meeting a better surveillance of the closets has been insisted on, and they have been used to an enormous extent by the vast concourse of people assembled; but I have heard of no complaint of any want of deodorisation; and certainly the 39 cases of diarrhoea which have been recorded were of a very trivial nature, and, strange to say, there were precisely the same number of cases treated for constipation. The flying column also, from the Aldershot Division, which numbered upwards of 3000 soldiers, and remained in this camp for three days and nights, besides undergoing the fatigue of a very exhausting field day, only recorded two cases of slight diarrhoea; but ordinary camp trenches were dug for their use, those of the earth closets being quite full, and therefore closed up by my order. I may also mention that once during the meeting the pits were emptied of their contents with no objectionable result, the night being, of course, selected for the operation. I can safely venture to affirm that this camp is, of all places, perhaps the most suitable

for thoroughly testing the value of this important sanitary invention, which has well borne the ordeal.

"There was but one solitary casualty in connexion with the field day operations of the 17th. A young medical officer of a Volunteer Artillery regiment received a severe contusion of the superior maxilla, dislodging several teeth; but he was able to leave the camp the same evening.

"I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

For the period from the 5th to the 17th of July, 1869.

Camp followers 419 13 620 2 3 1 1 5 4... 1 310 2

1 17

:

17

61 9 70

17 1 18

71 71

2425 39 18 39 210 4 2 7 8 2 2 534 2 1 116610176

Camp Hospital, Wimbledon, July 18th, 1869.

"THE DRY-EARTH CLOSET SYSTEM.

"To the Editor of THE LANCET.

"I CONSIDER this the best system known for military latrines, when a supply of suitable earth is obtainable. In introducing this system into barracks or permanent camps, I should attend to the following points:

"Earth. This should be a clayey loam, friable, and thoroughly dried. In 1868, at Wimbledon, a sour smell was perceived, which was found to proceed from the peat earth, the fibrous portions of which had fermented with the great heat.

"Apparatus.-That used by the Moule Company answers very well, especially now that the engineer has introduced the simple means by which the earth is properly distributed in its fall.

"Vaults.-These should be lined with brick, in cement, asphalte, or other water-tight lining, to exclude leakage from the surrounding soil, as the system ceases to be effectual when it ceases to be a dry-earth system.

"Place.-I should recommend building latrines back to back, with sufficient space between for the earth to be supplied and removed as necessary. In building a single row of latrines, as in the case of a row of cottages, the earth should be supplied, and the manure removed, from the outside, the inhabitants having no means of access either to the earth houses or the vaults.

"Urinals. These should be entirely separated from the latrines. The supply of earth should be given by hand, no self-acting apparatus being found to answer. Pioneers should go round twice a day at least, and supply the amount of

earth required, care being taken that the layer supplied at any one time should not exceed three inches in thickness. The part of the urinal liable to be watered against should be of slate rubbed smooth, but not enamelled. This is found to resist the action of urine better than any other material.

Washing water.-The refuse water from kitchen sinks, &c., should be drained into cesspools accessible to a cart in the same way as the latrines. It can then be pumped into a cart and removed. It would be very valuable for garden purposes.

"I believe that when the value of the manure becomes better known, there will be no difficulty in finding contractors to supply the dried earth and remove the soil and sink water, paying fairly for the privilege.

"CAMP, WIMBLEDON, July 18."

"MERVIN DRAKE,

66 Commanding Royal Engineers at Wimbledon.

These letters speak very clearly as to the practical utility of the Earth System, and surely dispel all doubt as to its sanitary effect. But anxious to place this beyond doubt, we have employed a skilful and experienced chemist to investigate the subject, and we subjoin his report, received within the last few days :

"TO MESSRS. GIRDLESTONE,

"Engineers to MOULE'S PATENT EARTH CLOSET COMPANY.

"I have been engaged for some time past upon certain minute investigations "connected with the important question of deodorisation of fæcal matter by means of Dry Earth.