Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-05-14
BIsINFECTANTs.

n view OF the pfODaDl6 return OF cnoi-
era, in warm wsatae5, end the present
had sanitary condition OF THIS city, N5
nubIish the following interesting infOr-
nation on disinfecting agents, derived
from q recent report to the New York
board OF health
. OujckIime may be Used to shsorh mois-
ture and putrid nuids. spnnEle q.
freely, in powdered form, in all places to
be purified.
Gvpsun can be used for the same pur-
pose. Neither should be used in closed
drains, catch basins or sewers, as they
decompose soapwater ana fora new
compound which obstructs the Tow OF
fluids in those places.
Charcoal powder should be used TO ab-
sorb putrid gases. The coal should be
fresh, and recently heated and mixed
with lime or gypsum. Peat charcoal is
equally good, aud cheaper.
Chloride Of lime Is good to absorb pu-
trid effiuvia and to stop putrefaction.
Use as lime is used.
Black oxide manganese may be used
for purifying cellars and rooms, without
discommoding patients. 1t may be made
of forty parts black oxide Of manganese
and sixty parts Of common salt, and may
be distributed on plates.
CoDperas Llag he used to disinfeet the
dlsehaj Ves from patients affected with
dangf .5us diseases. Ten pounds Of cop
peras in a pailful of water, and a quart
or two poured into places needing purifi-
cation, will be efectuRL
Chloride of zinc, chloride Of manga
nese, or prOto-chlOTide OF iron, may &
used in place Of copperas.
PermagnAte Of potash may be used in
disinfecting clothing and towels. Throw
the articles into 8 tub Of water With an
ounce Of the drug, to every three gal
Ions of water. The peFmagnate Of pot
ssh should be used ia sufficient quanti-
ties 10 give a purple tinge TO the water.
- I,abanaque's solution" may be used
for the same purpose. Neither of these
should be used for the disinfection Of
colored fa6rics, as they will bleach them.
Chloride of zinc is equally good, and if
pure and neutral will neither bleach nor
stain.
C'srbolie acid and the coal tar disin-
fectants are the most efficient and per-
manent antiseptics, but are generally too
offensive for indoor use. A gill Of car
boIic scid in a pail of water is one Of the
best disinfeetsnta foT sewers, drains,
catch h-basins, water closets, urinals, pri-
yies. etc. II should be used in the same
manner as copperas. CarbOlic scid is
often mixed with lime, forming carbOlate
/, of line, TO be used for the same purposes.
A mixture of ten parts Of Guicklime and
one part of the cheap refuse oils nom
the distilIatiOn of coal tar, is one Of the
most efficient preparations Tor deOdOriz-
ing foul places in the open air.
Bromine, either alone or in solution
or absorbed Ey quick sime or gypsum, is
the most prompt and efficient dlsinieG-
tant for unoccupied and infected apart
meuts. The solution should be made in
the proportion Of one drachm 70 pint
of water, and should be shaken until the
bronnine is dissolved. Then distribute it
in earthen plates, or by suspending
sheets saturated with the solution. In
forfv-eiQht hours, at most, the most in-
( feetiotis rooms are disinfected. For use
/ in occupied FOomz one draehm Of bro
mine To a quart Of water, placed on
nlates beneath the bed, may be used.
/ Neither bromine, chloride or the per-
rnsgnste Of potassa should be used in
connection with earboAe acid, as these
/ substances mutually Deutralize each
/ others disinfectiug qualities.
Closets and bedrpoms should be aired
] every day, in dry weather, by opening
I the windows In damp, by means OF a
/ Are in a CRATE or hall stove. Beds and
! bedding should frequently be exposed to
/ the direct rays of the sun. Fresh air
and sunshine should be freely admitted
( To every place they can reach about a
house. Water closets and drains should
be flushed daily II possible, ana thor
oughly dlslnsecteQ.
In any department capable Of being
4 closed which has become infected by
discharges or emanations from the sick,
/ after thorough cleansing and whitewash-
ing, a famigatiop by burning g few
( ounces Of sulphur, or by nitrous acid,
from two OF three ounces Of nitric acid
poured upon an ounce Of copper filings
I viii be effectasl in disinfecHng them.
OR the rooms may be disinfected with
( bromine. Before the fumigation all
ehimneys and openings should be closed
( and remain so for t8enty-four hours.
4 after this, open al doors and windows
and keep them opeD fof seyerai Gays and
nights. Personal cleanliness ana VENT
Iation should ia all cases be attended TO-
Where lake water eannOt be used, rain
water or boiled water should be used
Well water, in many localities, IS dan
gerons to life and detrimental to health
The vegetable matter contained In wei
water may be to some extent removed
BY the use Of permagDate OF potassa
Eight grains 70 an ounce Of distilled ol
boiled water will do Tor the preparation
Put iato half pint OF the impure watel
one drop OF the red solution, II the ret
tint disappears in half an hour add more
For every drop that loses its color il
the half pint there viii be found from
one-half TO two grains of pntrid organic
metteE.
The committee recommended that ;
depot for disinfeetants be established anC
plaeed ia charge OF a competent person
In order that this disinfectants may b
disbursed In seeh manner es to conducl
to the sanitary improvement OF the sity
/ and in order that the poorer classes Ina,
not suffer for want Of them.