public_html in apache

[Mike Egglestone]

Hi,

I have 2 questions regarding this public_html directory in apache.
First:    How would I disable the public_html access?
          I thought I could pound out the settings in /etc/apache/access.conf, 
          and then restart apache,  but users can still use their 
          public_html directory.

Second:   If I wanted users to have access to their public_html directories,
          is there a way to have these public_html directories on a different
          server?   For example: I have apache running here: 142.23.45.67
          but all my user accounts and home directories are on this server:
          142.23.45.200
          Is it even possible to have my web sever use a different server
           to access the users public_html folder in their home directory?

Thanks

Mike