The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-09-05

and Dlsinfectants.
MEssRs. EDITORS: 1s4
In the two former communications, my OBJ
iect was to urge the necessity of thorough
cleansing SO as to destroy any indus which
may exist, in which the Judgment and propa-
cation of the cholera poison may be effected.
We come now to the consideration of the
means which have been found most effectual
in preventing the development of the poison
or of destroying it where it already exists.
The first object is to prevent the fermenta-
ton and putrefaction of the -choleraic dis
charges For this purpose either of the fol-
lowing means must be used: N
dissolve 10 pounds of copperas in pail
full Of water, and pour q, gallon or two Of this
strong solution into the privy water closet,
or drain, every hour, if the discharges have
been thrown in these places; but for ordinary
USE to keep privie- and water closets from be-
coming offensive, pour in pint of this solu-
ton every night and morning.
For bed pans and chamber vessels tea
cupful of the copperas solution will answer;
but more effectual agent, and better for not
being corrosive is the permanganate of Pot
ASA This instantly disinfects and deodorizes
whatever it touches. 1t is generally used by
dssolving an ounce in two or three gallons of
water, but for chamber vessels it had better
be considerably stronger. Whatever strength
is used the solution ought to be added so as
to maintain purple or red color, for its ac-
ton only continues SO long as this color exists.
If the linen is discolored by it, the stain can
easily be removed by sulphate of iron, (cop-
peras.) Aabs n4eqe ire lsiQtl 80
1t is this which is generally used to dsin-
feet the clothing and towels of cholera or fe-
yer patients. These articles should be inn
mersed in the permanganate solution of the
strength given above until preparation can
beimade for boiling them, which should al
ways be done for an hour or two before they
are used again or laid away. Be sure that a
sufficient quantity of the solution is added to
the soater, an iohich the clothes are soaked, to
Keep up the red color. .rts
substitute for the p'rmanganate, cheaper
but inferior to it, is found in Labarraques
Chloride of Soda. This may be used if the
boiling is not much delayed "A pint to be
added to the tub of water in which the clothes
are soaked 33EaHl AaG l-EIps
either Of these solutions insy be used in
cleansing tho soiled parts of the body in sick
or dead persons OF in deodorizing bed-pans
&c" .ss AKA. H.. j. ia i
The following substances may also be used
81 substitutes for the sulphate of iron cop-
pcIdS) VIZ CHlOTlue Oh Zl1C, CnlOTlQe OI man
ganese and Proto-chloride of iron.
The first of these is the basis of Sir w.
Burnet's disinfecting Fluid, rs grains of the
salt dissolved in l fhid-drachm for use; about
an ounce of this solution is added to two
pints of water, baia ac
But OF all the disinfectants, those which
seem to be the most efficient and permanent
in its effects, are carbolic acid, and the coal
tar preparations. 44osit sdf 1EEIHa EfI
Il have written toaNew York for more def
mite information withregar to the latter, but
ofcarbolic acid there are two forms, one OF
which, the crystalized salt, is expensive, but
is efficient when dissolved in one hundred
times its weight of water One tablespoon
ful Of that solution will disinfect chamber
vessel. Hhea4 -
The fluid acid, which is 10 per cent the
strength of the crystalized, is cheap, and the
most available form for common use Dilute
1t in %, SO, or more parts of any of the iron
or ehlo,ide solutions, or in fine quick lime or
saw dust sszol
The coal tar or carboiic powders are pow
erfully antseptc, and may be used to disin-
feet discharges of cholera patients, privies,
water closets, garbage tubs stables, and foul
heaps or surfaces .Those of them that con-
tain q large amount of some proto-salt of
iron and the most carbolic acid, are the best.
For disinf feeling cholera alacays use one of the
soluble salts of iron or zinc, schateVer else is
Employed But, soiM carbolic acid ,leoe, use
chlorine, the chIorides, or the pernlanganate
ofpotassa. ~.s
1t is advised that the discharges from the
sick be never cast into privy, or upon the
surface Of the ground but into some privy or
water closet not, for the time being, FREE
quented, or into specially prepared little pit
Il quick lime and coal tar powders .i9 7
Tbe next object is to absorb, destroy, or
neutralize the offensive gases and products
of putrefaction.
For this purpose use fresh stone lime finely
broken; sprinkle it abundantly on the place
to be, drieds and in damp rooms place large
number of plates filled with the lime powder.
Whitewash with pure fresh lime. Charcoal,
fresh and dry, either alone or mixed with
lime, is valuable for this purpose Chlorine
is useful agent in destroying putrid gases ::
it, Gamble employed by dipping cloths in a
solution Of chloride of lime or soda, and hang
ing them about the room to be disinfected,
or plates, containing chloride of lime, which
Little dilute sulphurie or rnuriatic acid
may occasionally be added, should be set
about the room
Or fumigate with chlorine gas. This may
be done by placing in the upper part of the
room saucers containing the ingredients for
making it,. One part of common salt, init
mlateiy mixed with one part Of black oxide Of
manganese and placed in a shallow ;earthen
pan; upon this pour two parts of oil of vitriol,
previously diluted with two parts, by meas
ure. OF water, and the whole stirred with a
srck, This mixture will continue to give
out chlorine for four days. -
Or the free evolution of chlorine may be
caused by adding half pint of hydrochloric
seld diluted with quarter of pint of water, te
quarter Of pound of finely powdered black
oxide of manganese.
Hnf fl1,n,;