The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-08-16

ology, Pathology, Puoho hygepis, &C., Medical
Department Iowa University.
THE approach Of terrible epidemic 10 d.
recting the attention Of the public and medical
profession to the most effective means Of pre-
venting its ravsges, and srresting its course.
Scarcely medical body has convened during
the last three years, but what has discussed
the laws governing epidemics, in their origin,
course, propagation, pathology, and means
of prevention aud cure while the public jour.
nails have endesyored to CLEAN from such
sources, and contributions of individuals,
something to enlighten the people upon this
absorbing topic. Yet in oil of this there 10
little relating to disinfeetion and publication
that is adapted to the understanding of the
masses, or, Of such q character as to enable
those most needful OF instruction to apply the
general principles evolved 70 their individual
wants.
The general principles Of dis:nfecton are
simply the destruction and deodorization of
noxious exhalations given Of from animal
and vegetable substances in state Of decom
position, as they may be found 10 gaseous,
fluid or solid condition.
To this end various agents are employed ;
some being adapted to one purpose, and 9TH
errs for different one. The several agents
for disinfection may be classified a. natural aud
artificial The natural embrace the atmos,
phere, earthly soils, water, light and heat; ;
and the artificial such As are manufactured
or developed by the hand of man.
The most active agent at our command IL
oxygen. Il is~the principal decomposing
element in the destruction Of ell animal and
vegetable substances, and its operation is to
reduce such to condition comparatively il. .
ert namely, carbonic acid and water Il exists
in the atmosphere in two states viz: in the
ordinary or quiesce1 condition, and in the
form OF ozone, when it is electrically excited
and very active in seizing upon organic mat
ter in . state Of change or fermentation, and
converting them to lower or more stable
condition. Tie amount Of ozone in the At.
mosphere is exceedingly variable, but when
ever most a'a' esntly present the atmos.
phere is almos' eaiirely free from morbid
and other ofep,tsr products.
The puri6casion Of the sick room /. ,hs,.
fore dependan, upon these two processes. Vi, !.
diffusion Of the naxious elements, and tb.;,
destruction by ,he process oxidation, and the
more complete the ventilation, or access Of
fresh air, will there be . corresponding dee.
sruction Of morbid elements.
This 10 the process indicated By nature. -.
eneiAny, however, We have many other, ,
such y eanstic lime, sulphur, copper.s, com !.
mon salt, chlorine of lime, charcoal =.
entering into common use; Will. Other, 49,,
principally only TO the chemist o. r.-.on.
familiar with that branch Of sci.nc. g. ..
casionally brought into reqai.i,ion; ~. ns..,.
all Of which may Be made Of general .,;r,,
with very little instruction a. to their moa..
Of application Thss Win b. take. mn !.
dsfxil
LMs.-The application Of this di,infec..n
Is sufficiently understood for the purposes /,
which it is adapted. It il only necessary /.
say that it should b. unslaked, and il is bet
Ger if il be recently burned. Its action is I.
sbsorb carbonic aeid ~ andsulp AEsEssd ~