Note 154 — OF THE PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

We learn from Cicero (De Leg. ii. 22), that of the various modes of disposing of the dead body, inhumation was the most ancient: burning and inclosing the remains in urns, were perhaps never found expedient until national animosities had given rise to inhuman treatment of the dead. The Egyptians, as they held it unlawful to expose the bodies of the dead to animals, embalmed them, lest after interment they might become the prey of worms (Herod. Thalia, xvi.); and their mummies remain to this day a lasting satire upon that folly which “contends against corruption, and will not allow the grave its victory.” The custom of burning the dead is of higher antiquity than we may have at first been led to suppose; Saul was burnt at Jabesh, and his bones afterwards buried; and Asa was burnt in the bed which he had made for himself, filled with sweet odours, and divers kinds of spices: but this custom must of necessity have been limited by the quantity of fuel required for the purpose. It may be worthy notice, that according to Mr. Ward, the Missionary, who had opportunities of ascertaining the fact in India, the smallest quantity of wood which is sufficient to consume a human body is about three hundred weight.