158
THE BUFFALO10 CREMATORIUM.
(Exterior View.)
The injudicious promoters of cremation are among the greatest enemies of the reform. The utterance12 that incineration should be obligatory13 was extremely unfortunate, as was the idea of producing illuminating14 gas for general use from the combustion15 of corpses16, something after the fashion of the twelfth century’s lanternes des morts. The fancy of Sir Henry Thompson to use 159the ashes resulting from cremation as a fertilizer was also a mischievous18 idea, and did much to delay the progress of incineration in Great Britain.
The abhorrence19 entertained by many of cremation depends, to a very great extent, on the universal tendency of individuals and peoples to resent any interference with established customs; to reject any innovation, simply because it is an innovation. For instance, if cremation should be the customary practice at the present time, a proposition to re-establish inhumation would meet, I am certain, with the most violent opposition20.
The cremationists are now charged with enthusiasm and fanaticism21 by individuals who would be content that science should “stand at gaze like Joshua’s moon in Ajalon.” Most of the progress in all departments of learning has been made by enthusiasts22, and a man must be an enthusiast23 indeed to withstand the prejudice “dry as dust” which yields the ground slowly and grudgingly24, but which is certain to be defeated in the end.
The first question that comes before us for consideration is, Would not cremation destroy the evidence of crime? This refers not only to cases of poisoning, but also to those instances where persons meet with a violent death by being shot, stabbed, or otherwise severely25 injured. This is the only tangible26 objection that has ever been made by the anti-cremationists. It is of great importance, and unless we are able to show that it can be obviated27, we must admit that it constitutes a serious drawback to cremation. This, as Dr. J. O. Marble appropriately remarks, is, in fact, the one and only real lion in the way of the progress of incineration 160as a substitute for inhumation, and unless we can muzzle28 this lion, he may frighten away the pilgrims.
If the charges made by the anti-cremation party were true, incineration, if established, would offer facilities for the commission and concealment29 of hideous30 crimes. A victim could be destroyed by poison, the dead body carried to a furnace and reduced to a small heap of ashes in a short space of time, and the crime thus forever placed beyond the reach of detection. The cremator11, then, would become the instrument and accomplice32 of the murderer. It is urged that the agents employed in the commonest form of secret murder—poisoning—are often of a novel, subtle, and various character. We are apprised33 that it is extremely improbable that the physician called in, if he be called in, has ever seen their effects, either on man or animals; that care will be taken that he shall not see them; that the poisoner has the advantage of preparation on his side; and finally, that discovery, when made, is generally made at some variable period after death, and then rather in consequence of an aggregation35 of suspicious collateral36 circumstances pointing to the commission of other crimes of a like nature than of any possible observations at the bedside of the murdered person. Indeed, a formidable array of arguments, which can be, nevertheless, overcome in several ways. The question now before us for solution is not of recent date, but has already agitated37 the minds of the ancients, who, most probably, investigated the cause of death before they consigned38 their dead to the funeral pyre. Tacitus, the Roman historian, relates that the corpse17 of Germanicus lay in state in the forum39 of Antioch, 161a place fixed40 for sepulchral41 rites42, but that “whether it bore the marks of poisoning yet remains43 undecided,” for the people were divided in their opinions, some pitying Germanicus and suspecting Piso’s guilt45, others prejudiced in favor of the latter.
Pliny also relates in chapter 71 of his Natural History, lib. xi: “It is claimed that the heart of those who die of morbus cardiacus (organic heart disease) cannot be destroyed by fire, and the same is said to be true of the heart of poisoned persons.” An oration46 of Vitellus is extant in which he accuses Piso, the physician, of having poisoned Germanicus, since the heart of the latter would not burn. Piso defended himself by describing the disease of which the emperor had died.
Dr. J. O. Marble, who has written of this subject, affirms: “It must be admitted that cases of criminal poisoning, such as would be detected by an exhumation47 and examination of a buried body, are very rare, for in our day Lucrezia Borgias and Brinvilliers are few and easily detected. In a community like ours cases of this kind are extremely rare. In a vast majority of cases the cause of death is perfectly48 evident to any intelligent physician. No doubt obscures the case. The list of causes of death, perfectly evident even to the friends and non-medical persons, embraces probably at least nine-tenths of the whole mortality. Doubtful cases have generally been visited by more than one skilful49 physician. The fraction in which crime of any sort might have been perpetrated becomes thus very small. Moreover, in the present state of chemical analysis and expert medical testimony50, the advantages of the posthumous51 examination of a body with a view to 162the detection of crime accrue52 less to justice than to the lawyer for the defense53.”
The medico-legal objection, as it is called, does not apply in every case, since every day individuals die of easily determined55 causes, such as small-pox, consumption, hemorrhage from the lungs or stomach, drowning, or other accidents, and suicide; in short, in such a way as to place the cause of death beyond cavil56 and dispute.
It is true that a regular proportion of bodies are dug up every year on suspicion of foul57 play; but, aside from the fact that that proportion is very small, how many of these cases justify58 the exhumation? So uncertain and inaccurate59 is the post-mortem evidence of criminal poisoning, that no bodies have been exhumed60 for forensic61 purposes in Vienna, Austria’s capital, since 1805.
Tarchini-Bonfanti, for 26 years perito-medico (medical expert) at the tribunal of Milan, Italy, declares that during this time, although many thousands of litigations came before the court which was requested to pronounce judgment62 upon them, only in ten cases was it necessary to resort to exhumation. Only ten cases in 26 years, out of several thousands of lawsuits63, and four only out of the ten exhumations led to the detection of the crime and the criminal. These four cases, however, occurred in a single lawsuit—that of Boggia. In this instance the disinterment would have taken place, even if cremation had been at the time an established and universal custom, for Boggia had buried his victims in his own cellar. Tarchini-Bonfanti asserts that exhumations for forensic purposes are extremely rare, and that those which are made yield either negative, or at best doubtful results.
Disinterment, instead of furnishing an explanation, 163instead of shedding light upon some mystery, more often is followed by confusion, and may give rise to erroneous conclusions. It would be next to impossible to cremate64 a murdered person in a furnace of the ordinary kind. As to the poor and ignorant murderer, the regulation of cremation would make him shrink from submitting his victim to the authorities of a crematorium, and he would find it far more convenient and safe to inter9 the corpse secretly, as these criminals generally do at the present time.
There are many poisons which, by a rapid change of their substance, are extremely difficult to detect in the human body after death, even after a short time, sometimes but a few days; for instance, cyanide of potassium, prussic acid, and at certain times phosphorus. But when a careful inquest, such as the cremationists propose, is held, poisoning by these agents cannot so easily escape detection. In poisoning by phosphorus, the yellow hue65 of the face of the victim would excite suspicion and lead to a post-mortem examination, when the characteristic sign of phosphorus poisoning in the fatty degeneration of the liver would be discovered. An autopsy66 would speedily make evident poisoning by pure prussic acid, for the open cavities of the body would exhale67 the odor of bitter almonds. Poisoning by cyanide of potassium can, of course, only be detected by a chemical analysis of the contents of the stomach, intestines68, etc.
I think I may safely affirm that it is impossible for the best of anatomists to determine the lesions, if there be any, of a decomposed70 body.
All vegetable poisons, except the alkaloid of strychnia, decompose69 with the body; it is extremely rare that 164any alkaloid can be discovered in the body posthumously71. Mineral poisons, such as antimony, lead, copper72, combinations of baryta, and many others, are indestructible, and can be detected in the ashes. It may even happen that, by some extra care, the process of incineration may be the most efficient means of detecting poisoning by arsenic73 and mercury. Of course we should not forget that, without some precaution, the salts of arsenic and mercury would be volatilized; but while they are volatilized, they must also, at a reduced temperature, be again deposited, and it remains for the chemist to determine the most efficient contrivance for recognizing its deposition74.
Direct experiments instituted by M. Cadet and verified by MM. Doursant and Wurst, even prove that the salts of arsenic can be detected in the ashes after incineration.
As matters stand to-day, it is puerile76 to think that we can prevent the rich and skilful poisoner from committing crime as long as we permit him to employ undertakers, who, without restraint of law, inject arseniate of soda77 and corrosive78 sublimate79 into the body of his victim, and thus remove all traces of the crime.
Dr. Cameron, in a speech before the House of Commons of England in 1884, declared:—
“Numerous modern researches have shown that putrefactive fermentation in decaying animal matter gives rise to the formation of sepsine and other alkaloids, some of them intensely poisonous. Little or nothing is known in this country concerning the products of putrefaction80. Ptomaines is the general name which has been given to them abroad, and I don’t know that I ever saw it printed in the English language. Little is known of 165these ptomaines even by those who have studied them most closely, but enough has been discovered to show that we must be very careful as to how far we rely upon what are called physiological81 tests for poisons in the case of bodies which have been exhumed; and that the fact that frogs, rabbits, or dogs are killed by the action of matters extracted from the viscera of a putrefying body can no longer by itself be held as proving that those viscera contained any poison before putrefaction commenced.”
Is it surprising, when the above is taken into consideration, that the testimony of chemists at trials for poisoning should vary so much and be so contradictory82 in nature?
Sir Henry Thompson, in his admirable exposition of cremation, which was translated into almost every civilized83 language of the world, thus disposes of the medico-legal objection:—
“It has been said, and most naturally, what guarantee is there against poisoning if the remains are burned, and it is no longer possible, as after burial, to reproduce the body for the purpose of examination? It is to my mind a sufficient reply that, regarding only ‘the greatest good to the greatest number,’ the amount of evil in the shape of disease and death which results from the present system of burial in earth is infinitely84 larger than the evil caused by secret poisoning is or could be, even if the practice of the crime were very considerably85 to increase. Further, the appointment of officers to examine and certify86 in all cases of death would be an additional and very efficient safeguard. But—and here I touch on a very important subject—is there reason to believe that our present precautions in the matter of death certificate 166against the danger of poisoning are what they ought to be? I think that it must be confessed that they are defective87, for not only is our system inadequate88 to the end proposed, but it is less efficient by comparison than that adopted by foreign governments. Our existing arrangements for ascertaining89 and registering the cause of death are very lax, and give rise, as we shall see, to serious errors. In order to attain90 an approach to certitude in this important matter, I contend that it would be most desirable to nominate in every district a properly qualified91 inspector92 to certify in all cases to the fact that death has taken place, to satisfy himself as far as possible that no foul play has existed, and to give the certificate accordingly. This would relieve the medical attendant of the deceased from any disagreeable duty relative to inquiry93 concerning suspicious circumstances, if any have been observed. Such officers exist throughout the large cities of France and Germany, and the system is more or less pursued throughout the provinces. In Paris no burial can take place without the written permission of the ‘médecin vérificateur’; and whether we adopt cremation or not, such an officer might with advantage be appointed here.”
Sir Henry suggests that in suspected cases the “dead officer” should retain in sealed vessels94 the stomach and other portions of the viscera for future examination. But I think it next to impossible that such an officer could execute duties so burdensome and so averse95 to the genius of the people.
Let us for a moment turn to our dear American commonwealths96. Do our burial laws aid in the detection of crime? In the majority of states a death certificate, signed by a physician, must be filed with the health 167officer, who issues a burial permit. This is all which is required. Generally it makes no difference whether the physician or surgeon who affixes97 his name to the document is reputable or not. The burial permit is looked upon as a mere98 formality, an unnecessary institution, that owes its origin to some whimsical lawmaker. How often do even the most zealous99 of health officers investigate the causes of the deaths that are reported to them? The doctor’s certificate is put upon record; that is satisfactory, and no more is asked for. The rest is silence—like that which reigns100 under the turf, where the undetected victims of the poisoner lie.
Now, if our faulty burial laws, if the indifference101 of our officers of health, are not a direct incentive102 to the foulest103 and most insidious104 forms of crime, I do not know what is. Were I a secret assassin, I certainly would wish for no more encouragement. As matters now stand, any evil-doer, with the help of some unscrupulous medical man, may commit murder daily without fear of detection.
I propose to show that if incineration were established, the careful scrutiny105 of corpses and official examinations in suspected cases, which would precede the reduction of the body to ashes, would rather assist in the detection of murder than hinder it.
Mr. W. Eassie, in a lecture delivered at the International Health Exhibition last year, expressed himself anent this question as follows: “With regard to doubtful deaths it would be necessary to make sure that the body exhibited no traces of poison, or that certain small portions of the body should be removed therefrom and kept for a few years. For instance, a small portion of the stomach and intestines and their contents in case of 168vegetable poisoning, and a small portion of the liver, should mineral poisoning be suspected. There is no difficulty in dealing106 with this matter in other countries where cremation has become permissive; and it is upon record that the examination of the body of a child in Italy, which had been made in the ordinary way demanded by the authorities previous to the cremation, proved that the child had been poisoned apparently107 by sweetmeats, and this would not have been revealed had an ordinary burial in the earth taken place.”
I must here repeat what I have already said regarding Sir H. Thompson’s intimation that part of the bodies about to be cremated108 might be conserved109 for future examination: The strong dislike of the public would never allow of such a measure.
Lord Bramwell, the eminent110 English lawyer, in a letter to Sir Spencer Wells concerning incineration, states: “I wish you success in the promotion111 of cremation; I think it is right, and what is very rare, with no drawback. It is the cheapest, the most wholesome112, and to my mind, the least repulsive113 way of disposing of the dead and those we have loved. That it is legal there is not a doubt. The only objection, that murders might go undetected, I believe to be more than unfounded. You have surrounded the thing with precautions. I have heard it suggested that there are many murders which escape detection for want of suspicion and consequent inquiry. How that may be I know not, but it will not be the case with those bodies cremated under the regulations of the Cremation Society of England. The English society requires such undoubted proofs of natural death that a criminal would not dare trust his victim to the flames.”
169
THE BUFFALO CREMATORIUM.
(Interior View.)
To cut a long story short, let me say that cremationists meet the medico-legal objection by a demand for a careful inquest over every dead body, and a post-mortem examination, including a chemical analysis of all the viscera, in every instance where death by toxic114 agents is suspected.
In many cities of Europe the dead are examined by physicians appointed by the government. The result has been that, as for instance in Dresden, Leipsic, and 170Frankfort, Germany, no exhumation took place after the inquest became obligatory and was practiced in every instance of decease.
In Bavaria, Saxony, Nassau, and Baden, there are regular coroners whose duty it is to inspect every corpse, while in England the coroner’s jury only convenes115 in cases where the cause of death is not apparent.
With us the office of coroner is not an important one. Generally laymen116 are appointed to it, men who have done some work at that awful power, the political machine. This is wrong. The office of coroner should only be vested in medical men, and only in such who have shown that they are qualified to fill such a position of consequence. Every candidate for coroner should be examined in forensic medicine and pathology, and should give an ocular demonstration117 of his capability118 to make a thorough autopsy. Only those who have graduated from a medical school of repute, recognized by law and all the boards of health of the country, should be eligible119.
The coroner should have power to demand an explanation of the cause of death from the physician who attended the deceased in his last illness, and whenever such explanation is unsatisfactory, or there are other reasons which lead him to suspect that the defunct120 has been foully121 dealt with, to order a complete post-mortem examination. He should, furthermore, have the right to summon before him any witnesses whose testimony might clear up the case in hand.
The coroner should issue the burial permits, the health officer being notified only when persons have died of an infectious or contagious122 disease.
To make this scheme successful, it is essential that 171the practitioner123 of medicine who assumes the coronership should receive adequate payment for his services, such remuneration in fact as would enable him to give up his whole time and talent to his office.
Beside the advantages which I have already indicated, a system such as this would doubtlessly enrich the mortality statistics as well as forensic medicine and pathological anatomy124. That it would be an efficient safeguard against crime, I think every unprejudiced person will admit.
If this were not so, I could but indorse the Rev31. H. R. Haweis, who declares honestly: “For so grand a benefit to mankind, a few more cases of poisoning would be a small price to pay. In the great progress of social and sanitary125 reform I cannot conceive what it signifies whether or not an additional Smith or Jones gets poisoned here and there.”
Dr. Purdy says: “Indeed, we have not in man’s history any great benefit resulting from a system or practice but it is attended by its consequent minor126 evils; no great public good but has its attendant drawbacks.”
For these reasons the following saying of the celebrated127 Professor Coletti, of the University of Padua, Italy, will always be recognized as a truth of unusual stability: “The health of whole communities is of far greater importance than the possible escape of a few criminals.”
The enemies of cremation inquire: Would not incineration deprive the schools of medicine of anatomical material, the phrenologists, craniologists, and last, but not least, the anthropologists, of the basis of their investigations128; namely, the human skeleton?
172Objections of this nature can only provoke a smile. In a country like ours, where many of the cadavers129 which are dissected130 in our medical schools are stolen from the graveyards131, the proposed introduction of cremation must, no doubt, raise a storm among teachers of anatomy, who are fearful that the supply of corpses will be cut short by the reform. It is not to be wondered at, that the anatomists raise a cry of alarm, for, indeed, I know of no other method of disposal of the dead that is as damaging to their relations with the defunct as cremation. Even a professor of the Jefferson Medical College, a man who ought to have known better, joined the anti-cremationists for these reasons. Every educated person knows that a thorough knowledge of anatomy is essential to the successful practice of medicine and surgery, and that a familiarity with the internal workings of the human system can be gained in no other way under the sun. But although I belong to the medical fraternity, I can but wish that such a terrible and desecrating132 practice as grave-robbing be put a stop to. It is for the government of each state to provide fully133 for the dissecting-rooms of the medical colleges, to deliver to them all who die in prisons and poor-houses. Prisoners should not be given up, even when claimed by relatives or friends; the idea that the commission of crime may land one on the dissecting-table may deter54 many from trespassing134 the laws of their country.
What difference it makes whether future generations know, or do not know, how our skulls135 compared with that of a gorilla136, I cannot conceive. Let the craniologists and allied137 scientists make their investigations 173now and record them in books. Printed matter of value is immortal138.
How the arch?ologists and anthropologists, ignoring the printing press, can imagine (for such fears only dwell in their imagination and have no real foundation) that without the records of the tombs the present age, its acts and deeds, might pass away from the ken34 of posterity139 as completely as the ancient civilizations of Central America and Malacca, I am unable to explain. But even if dire75 oblivion should be the ultimate doom140 of the nineteenth century, the opinion of the world two thousand years hence is of little consequence when compared with the health of those now inhabiting it. In the words of the learned rector of the University of Padua, Professor Coletti: “Man should disappear and not rot; he should no more be transformed into a mass of corruption—the source of filthy141 and injurious exhalations—than into a grotesque142 mummy, a shapeless mixture of pitch, resin143, and perfumes; man should become a handful of ashes and nothing more.”
“Would not cremation rob nature of its supply of ammonia?”
This, one of the most discreetly144 urged weapons against cremation, was that promulgated145 by Professor Mohr, who asserted that if incineration were practiced to its full extent, an interruption to the order of nature would ensue, since the supply of ammonia would be arrested or greatly curtailed146.
Dr. Mohr’s objections to the cremation of the dead principally rest upon the following bases:—
1. That ammonia is the most important form in which nitrogen is taken up by the plants.
1742. That free nitrogen does not, or at any rate in sufficient abundance, return to the organized world.
3. That in cremation the ammonia is entirely147 destroyed, and the nitrogen entirely liberated148.
4. That the nitrogen of buried corpses is entirely converted into ammonia.
Mohr soon had many followers149 who imagined that if the bulk of all animal remains should be burnt to ashes, the mischief150 produced by the loss of ammonia would be incalculable. They claimed that it is as necessary to vegetable life as is the air we breathe to us; that there is no counterbalance in nature whereby this ingredient can be supplied from other sources; and that by cutting off a large proportion of the supply of ammonia the loss would be quickly felt throughout all the animal kingdom, and would soon be followed by an appreciable151 diminution152 of animal life on the globe.
Dr. Mohr’s objections were met by the eminent Professor Franchimont, of the University of Leyden, Holland, who proved that the views held by his confrère were both erroneous and absurd, and concluded his exposé as follows:—
1. That it is not proved that ammonia is the chief nitrogenous constituent153 of plants.
2. That it is proved that free nitrogen returns by many and various routes to the organic world.
3. That it is not certain that by interment all the nitrogen becomes ammonia, and that probably a portion of this ammonia is temporarily taken out of circulation; and, finally,
4. That it is not proved that the nitrogen is completely set free during cremation. And even if this were so, its quantity, in comparison with that of the 175ammonia now yearly produced by the dry distillation154 and combustion of coal, is so small that the loss of it cannot be advanced as any really serious objection to the practice of cremation.
I must here add that the explanations given by Professor Franchimont are held to be perfectly satisfactory by seventeen professors and teachers of botany and chemistry in the Dutch universities, whose names are well known in the scientific world.
Students of agricultural chemistry, and others interested in the subject, should not fail to read Mr. Eassie’s excellent article on the asserted loss of ammonia caused by the cremation of bodies, in the London Sanitary Record of Jan. 18, 1878.
It must be remembered that all animals—from the smallest insect to the largest beast—excrete a great amount of ammonia during their lifetime, which passes off with the fecal matter, urine, and transpiration155.
Besides, it cannot be denied that ammonia is formed spontaneously, during the great electrical processes which take place in nature, from the nitrogen and water of the atmosphere. The smoke that emanates156 from the chimneys of factories all over the world supplies more ammonia to the vegetable kingdom than the decomposing157 animal bodies ever could. And, finally, it must be kept in mind that we can generate ammonia artificially; therefore, should a dearth158 of ammonia ever occur, which is not very likely, this expedient159 would still be left to us.
There is no recorded evidence to show that any damage was done to the Egyptian vegetable world by the mummification which was carried on for thousands of years in the land of the Pharaohs. On the contrary, 176the country was in a more flourishing condition then than now.
The sentimental160 objection to cremation I have already treated of in a previous work; but since I have something to add to what I then remarked, I will revert161 to the topic.
The subject at first glance is revolting. To some persons there may be something in the idea of reducing one’s friends to ashes that is repulsive. Yet, when one makes a careful study of the question, that prejudice or repulsiveness162 wears away entirely, and makes way to a feeling that cremation is correct both in theory and practice. One should not listen to the emotions in a matter like this, but study incineration to be able to judge of it; objections founded on sentiment only are sure to be wrong.
If the general public knew, as a physician does, the many changes a body undergoes in the process of decomposition163,—putrefaction and most disgusting changes,—I think a great deal of their objection to cremation would be removed. I fancy if people in general could see the ordinary process of decomposition, they would be in favor of the quicker and more scientific method of cremation.
The Bishop164 of Lincoln intimated that incineration would keep all future great ones out of the silent company of those who have in former times added lustre165 to England’s name. It will do no such thing. I cannot comprehend what obstacles could stand in the way of the entombment of an urn5 containing the ashes of some illustrious personage who chose to be cremated instead of buried, in Westminster Abbey.
Mr. William Eassie says:—
177“In the play of ‘Virginius’ the body of Virginia is represented as having been placed in an urn, and when the distraught father inquires for his missing daughter, the vase is placed in his hands by the sorrowing lover. When this scene is presented, the thrill which seizes the audience is succeeded by a sensation of admiration166 at the eminently167 superior system of the ancients. I have seen the actor Brooke, in this tragedy, and the effect which he here produced was inexpressible. Many whom I have consulted as to the feelings engendered168 at this point have invariably declared that they were at the time complete converts to cremation, and that the sense of approval only left them when they began to realize how impossible were funeral pyres in this country. Happily the Siemens apparatus169 is now at hand, and its suitability proved beyond cavil.”
An eye-witness to the process of incineration says: “I have stood before the crematory with a faltering170 heart. I have trembled at the thought of using fire beside the form of one whom I had loved. But when, in obedience171 to his own dying wish, I saw the door of the crematory taken down, its rosy172 light shine forth173, and his peaceful form, clad in white, laid there at rest amid a loveliness that was simply fascinating to the eye, and without a glimpse of flames, or fire, or coals, or smoke, I said, and say so still, this method, beyond all methods I have seen, is the most pleasing to the senses, the most charming to the imagination, and the most grateful to the memory.”
178
GROUND PLAN OF THE BUFFALO CREMATORIUM.
“Is cremation illegal?”
This interrogation I am obliged to answer with a most decided44 “No!” In our country, it is true, the legal status of the question is somewhat unsettled, but I do not believe that any action taken in our American courts could prevent any persons from cremating174 a dead body who wished to do so, provided it was not contrary to the expressed wishes of the deceased. In England it is only illegal to burn a corpse in cases where an inquest ought to be held or has been ordered. In other 179cases, if the burning is conducted in such a manner as not to cause a nuisance or offense175 against public decency176, there is no rule of law to prevent this mode of disposing of a corpse being adopted. Some time ago a rajah, who consulted Mr. Eassie as to burning the body of his ranee, had to be told that what he claimed as a right in India could not be accorded him in the capital of the Empire except at a risk of scandal. Thanks to the decision of Sir James Stephen, the honorary secretary of the Cremation Society of England would not now be forced to make such a humiliating admission.
There are, I am sorry to say, individuals who think that those who are cremated let themselves be burned only because they are anxious to create for themselves a little notoriety after death. I can but pity the people who believe that Dr. Gross and Garbaldi, for instance, adopted such a means to attract public attention after decease. Those who now order their bodies incinerated after that mysterious power called life is fled, have the courage of their opinions, recognize the many advantages of incineration, and allow their convictions to triumph over local and even family prejudice; they are the true martyrs177 of cremation.
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cremation
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| n.火葬，火化 | |
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penal
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| adj.刑罚的；刑法上的 | |
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procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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urn
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| n.（有座脚的）瓮；坟墓；骨灰瓮 | |
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Christians
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missionaries
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sects
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| n.宗派，教派( sect的名词复数 ) | |
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inter
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buffalo
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cremator
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| n.火葬场的火化工，焚尸人，焚尸炉 | |
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utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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obligatory
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| adj.强制性的，义务的，必须的 | |
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illuminating
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| a.富于启发性的，有助阐明的 | |
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combustion
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| n.燃烧；氧化；骚动 | |
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corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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17
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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18
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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19
abhorrence
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| n.憎恶；可憎恶的事 | |
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20
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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21
fanaticism
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| n.狂热，盲信 | |
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22
enthusiasts
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| n.热心人，热衷者( enthusiast的名词复数 ) | |
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23
enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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24
grudgingly
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25
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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26
tangible
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| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
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27
obviated
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| v.避免，消除（贫困、不方便等）( obviate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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29
concealment
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|
| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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30
hideous
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|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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31
rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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32
accomplice
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|
| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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33
apprised
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|
| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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34
ken
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|
| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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35
aggregation
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|
| n.聚合，组合；凝聚 | |
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36
collateral
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|
| adj.平行的；旁系的；n.担保品 | |
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37
agitated
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|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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38
consigned
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|
| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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39
forum
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|
| n.论坛，讨论会 | |
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40
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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41
sepulchral
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|
| adj.坟墓的，阴深的 | |
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42
rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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43
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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44
decided
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|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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45
guilt
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|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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46
oration
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|
| n.演说，致辞，叙述法 | |
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47
exhumation
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|
| n.掘尸，发掘；剥璐 | |
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48
perfectly
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|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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49
skilful
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|
| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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50
testimony
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|
| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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51
posthumous
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|
| adj.遗腹的；父亡后出生的；死后的，身后的 | |
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52
accrue
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|
| v.(利息等)增大，增多 | |
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53
defense
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|
| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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54
deter
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|
| vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住 | |
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55
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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56
cavil
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|
| v.挑毛病，吹毛求疵 | |
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57
foul
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|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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58
justify
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|
| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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59
inaccurate
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|
| adj.错误的，不正确的，不准确的 | |
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60
exhumed
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|
| v.挖出，发掘出( exhume的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
forensic
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|
| adj.法庭的，雄辩的 | |
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62
judgment
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|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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63
lawsuits
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| n.诉讼( lawsuit的名词复数 ) | |
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64
cremate
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|
| v.火葬，烧成灰 | |
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65
hue
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|
| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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66
autopsy
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|
| n.尸体解剖；尸检 | |
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67
exhale
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|
| v.呼气，散出，吐出，蒸发 | |
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68
intestines
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|
| n.肠( intestine的名词复数 ) | |
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69
decompose
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|
| vi.分解；vt.（使）腐败，（使）腐烂 | |
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70
decomposed
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| 已分解的，已腐烂的 | |
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71
posthumously
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|
| adv.于死后，于身后；于著作者死后出版地 | |
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72
copper
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|
| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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73
arsenic
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|
| n.砒霜，砷；adj.砷的 | |
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74
deposition
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|
| n.免职，罢官；作证；沉淀；沉淀物 | |
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75
dire
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|
| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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76
puerile
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|
| adj.幼稚的，儿童的 | |
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77
soda
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|
| n.苏打水；汽水 | |
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78
corrosive
|
|
| adj.腐蚀性的；有害的；恶毒的 | |
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79
sublimate
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|
| v.(使)升华，净化 | |
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80
putrefaction
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|
| n.腐坏，腐败 | |
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81
physiological
|
|
| adj.生理学的，生理学上的 | |
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82
contradictory
|
|
| adj.反驳的，反对的，抗辩的；n.正反对，矛盾对立 | |
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83
civilized
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|
| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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84
infinitely
|
|
| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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85
considerably
|
|
| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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86
certify
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|
| vt.证明，证实；发证书(或执照)给 | |
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87
defective
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|
| adj.有毛病的，有问题的，有瑕疵的 | |
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88
inadequate
|
|
| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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89
ascertaining
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|
| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的现在分词 ) | |
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90
attain
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|
| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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91
qualified
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|
| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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92
inspector
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|
| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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93
inquiry
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|
| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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94
vessels
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|
| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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95
averse
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|
| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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96
commonwealths
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|
| n.共和国( commonwealth的名词复数 )；联邦；团体；协会 | |
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97
affixes
|
|
| v.附加( affix的第三人称单数 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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98
mere
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|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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99
zealous
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|
| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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100
reigns
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|
| n.君主的统治( reign的名词复数 )；君主统治时期；任期；当政期 | |
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101
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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102
incentive
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| n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机 | |
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103
foulest
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|
| adj.恶劣的( foul的最高级 )；邪恶的；难闻的；下流的 | |
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104
insidious
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|
| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
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105
scrutiny
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|
| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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106
dealing
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|
| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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107
apparently
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|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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108
cremated
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|
| v.火葬，火化（尸体）( cremate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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109
conserved
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|
| v.保护，保藏，保存( conserve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110
eminent
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|
| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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111
promotion
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|
| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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112
wholesome
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|
| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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113
repulsive
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|
| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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114
toxic
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|
| adj.有毒的，因中毒引起的 | |
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115
convenes
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| 召开( convene的第三人称单数 )； 召集； （为正式会议而）聚集； 集合 | |
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116
laymen
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| 门外汉，外行人( layman的名词复数 )； 普通教徒（有别于神职人员） | |
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117
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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118
capability
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|
| n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等 | |
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119
eligible
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| adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的 | |
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120
defunct
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| adj.死亡的；已倒闭的 | |
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121
foully
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| ad.卑鄙地 | |
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122
contagious
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|
| adj.传染性的，有感染力的 | |
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123
practitioner
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|
| n.实践者，从事者；(医生或律师等)开业者 | |
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124
anatomy
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| n.解剖学，解剖；功能，结构，组织 | |
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125
sanitary
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| adj.卫生方面的，卫生的，清洁的，卫生的 | |
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126
minor
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|
| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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127
celebrated
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|
| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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128
investigations
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|
| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
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129
cadavers
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|
| n.尸体( cadaver的名词复数 ) | |
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130
dissected
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|
| adj.切开的，分割的，（叶子）多裂的v.解剖（动物等）( dissect的过去式和过去分词 )；仔细分析或研究 | |
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131
graveyards
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|
| 墓地( graveyard的名词复数 )； 垃圾场； 废物堆积处； 收容所 | |
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132
desecrating
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| 毁坏或亵渎( desecrate的现在分词 ) | |
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133
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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134
trespassing
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| [法]非法入侵 | |
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135
skulls
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|
| 颅骨( skull的名词复数 )； 脑袋； 脑子； 脑瓜 | |
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136
gorilla
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|
| n.大猩猩，暴徒，打手 | |
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137
allied
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|
| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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138
immortal
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|
| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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139
posterity
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|
| n.后裔，子孙，后代 | |
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140
doom
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|
| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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141
filthy
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|
| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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142
grotesque
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|
| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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143
resin
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|
| n.树脂，松香，树脂制品；vt.涂树脂 | |
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144
discreetly
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|
| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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145
promulgated
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|
| v.宣扬（某事物）( promulgate的过去式和过去分词 )；传播；公布；颁布（法令、新法律等） | |
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146
curtailed
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|
| v.截断，缩短( curtail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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147
entirely
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|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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148
liberated
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| a.无拘束的，放纵的 | |
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149
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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150
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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appreciable
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| adj.明显的，可见的，可估量的，可觉察的 | |
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152
diminution
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| n.减少；变小 | |
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153
constituent
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| n.选民；成分，组分；adj.组成的，构成的 | |
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154
distillation
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| n.蒸馏，蒸馏法 | |
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transpiration
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| n.蒸发 | |
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156
emanates
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| v.从…处传出，传出( emanate的第三人称单数 )；产生，表现，显示 | |
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157
decomposing
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| 腐烂( decompose的现在分词 )； （使）分解； 分解（某物质、光线等） | |
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158
dearth
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| n.缺乏，粮食不足，饥谨 | |
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159
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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160
sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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161
revert
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| v.恢复，复归，回到 | |
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162
repulsiveness
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163
decomposition
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| n. 分解, 腐烂, 崩溃 | |
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164
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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165
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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166
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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167
eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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168
engendered
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| v.产生（某形势或状况），造成，引起( engender的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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170
faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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171
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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172
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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174
cremating
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| v.火葬，火化（尸体）( cremate的现在分词 ) | |
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offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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176
decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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177
martyrs
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| n.martyr的复数形式；烈士( martyr的名词复数 )；殉道者；殉教者；乞怜者（向人诉苦以博取同情） | |
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