The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-21
Disinfecting of Putrld, Noxsous Gases.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD.
) simple, cheap, and easy way Of disnfecting
putrd, noxious, fetid and mephitic gases, and pu-
trid animal matter, may be &C ,omplished by the
free of soda ash and quick lime. Dissolve TWEEN
ty five pounds Of soda ash in five buckets of boiling
hot water, and while hot sake twenty-five pounds
of quick lime, and slaked, (Which, if the
lime is good, will not exceed five minutes,) mix the
fresh slaked lime while hot with the solution Of soda
ASH stirring it thoroughly for five minutes by which
time the lime win have taken up the carbonc acid Of
the soda ash; then pour the hot mixture into the
privy vault, and it will in few hours convert the
impure and fetid gases into ammonia, and entirely
divest the premises of any unpleasant effuvia, and
render the atmosphere perfectly salubrious and
healthy. Soda ash of eighty per cent free alkal is
sold at the SOAP houses at three dollars per hundred
pounds and Athens lime can be bought by the bar
rel at seventy.fve cents the cask.
Every practical chemist knows that putrid ami
NAL matter can be converted into ammonia by the
mixture Tin a heated state) with caustic alkai.
Such is the process, and such the result in this
case.
In large vaults greater quantity than twenty-five
pounds is required; the quantity should be increased
in proportion to the size Of the vault.
The use Of one hundred pounds of soda ash, per
annum, in vault, prepared and used as directed
above, will prevent accumulation, and render the
services Of a scavenger wholly unnecessary.
Bngewater may be purified by the same process.
OF ime-is fifty times more eficacous and ten thou
sand times more healthful
have used this preparation for more than twenty
years, with the most complete success.
The foul air Of privy vaults is injurious to health.
few years since, three German scavengers were
sufiocated in Anthony street by breathing its me.
phitic gases.
In large hospitals, the use Of this preparation is
invaluable, and 1t is the most effective for cleansing
white linen or white cotton goods. 1t will not in
the least degree inure the texture but cleanse pu
My and whiten them most effectualy.
In the country, where deep vaults to outhouses
are not used, the free Of common wood ashes
mixed with fresh saked lime and hot water, will
destroy the unwholesome and putrd atmosphere of
the clubhouse.
Lime is often used after it has been slaked for
several days. Such lime is of little value for any
purpose OF publication, for it has, by its exposure
to the air. lost its active properties.
AS the hot season OF the year has arrived, WI en-
becomes necessary to take every prec .ution for
the publication of the f9tid atmosphere in the
yards of dwellings, have felt it duty to give this
notice.
The use of chloride of lime in confined apart
ments regard as injurious, and in confirmation of
this refer to the Of the laborers sickening in
dscharging fifty casks of bleaching powder from the
ship China in June Of last year. Some bled at the
nose and mouth, others tainted, and others felt
nauseating sensation, and were so weak as to re-
quire to be helped out Of the hold of the vessel.
June, 1854. Il. Merriam.