Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-06-11
RATIONAL VIEWS ON CHOLERA
AND DIARRIEA.

| Oectlon z. Inc TWO ulslnlectantS al
luded to at the close of section lst are
Air and Water-Being gifts of nature
that are ready at all times to render
valiant service.
Frequent and perfect ventilation Of
every apartment is a blessing to the
human family scarcely ever appreciated.
The composition of the air we breathe
is such that continual change is being
effected. The oxygen of the air supports
life and combustion, and without it, life
would Immediately cease to exist and
fire refuse to burn. In breathing, we
consume oxygen and give out carbonic
acid gas, which has been deprived of all
that is valuable to the system. pa
Nitrogen also enters into the eompo-
sition of the atmosphere, which, in large
proportion, is destructive to life and
combustion, but the supporter Of vege-
table life ri
During putrefaction or decomposition
of organic matter, oxygen is consumed
and large amount of noxious gases
evolved, thereby Increasing the poison
GUS elements and decreasing those salu-
brious elements so essential to life and
health. H8gsn
Imagine close, damp room, with
usually closed doors and windows, con
tanning organic matter undergoing putre-
faction; and you, then, have room. OF
impure air, with changed elements, in.
capable of properly supporting life, and
very inviting to cholera, diarrhea, and
| various other diseases. Thoroughly ven
tiIate this room everyday, and you pro-
duce change impossible to be obtained
from the use of chemical disinfectants.
Next in our list Of Natures disinfectants
is
Pure Water-The free use of which is
pleasantly exhilarating, cleansing, in
MIGRATING, conducive to health, and is
certainly a most wonderful and efficient
natural disinfectant We do not allude
| to its internal use, but to its cleansing
process, which should not be confined
simply to your person, but should, with
unsparing hands, extend to all on your
premises requiring its use. Thorough
Ventilation and publication of every
thing preclu!es the necessity of
nearly all else, aud are the most
important hygienic and disinfectant
| agencies we can command.
One of our best writers and thinkers
saws, 4" if the whole community could but
be impressed with the truth, that clean
illness in body, in clothing, and in diet,
and cleanliness and plenty Of fresh air
in and about dwelling places, are the
only possible conditions OF security to
general health, and the only real disin-
fectauts, there would not be the same
tendency to seek for, and rely upon inn
perfect substitutes; nor occasion for all
the writing and research upon such sub
jects." :,
Chemical Disi1lfectdnts-Are valuable
in proportion to their power to oxydize,
or deoxydize substances with which they
are placed in contseL They are used for
purifying the air, by changing, or alter
ing, or checking certain chemical aflin-
ities which take plask during the decom-
position Of organic matter, independent
Of. its removal and thorough cleansing
and ventilation. No one should hesitate
for moment 10 use them freely, and
although they are, or should be, used as
auxilaries, they are exceedingly impor-
tant during the summer season.
The most important are chlorine,
iodine, bromine, the permanganates and
sulphates, the acids, charcoal, lime, cop
peras, salt, coaltar, creosote, ashes, etc.
Equal parts Of common uRslaked lime
and coarssly powdered charcoal form
one Of the cheapest, best and most
effective diGnfectants that can possibly
be recommended This should be poured
upon all foul drains, vaults, cesspools,
privv sinks. stagnant pools, damp rooms,
offensive decomposing organic matter
that cannot well be removed, around
dwellings and bnsiness houses, and all
places requiring publication.
Equal parts Of cUpperaI, lime and
charcoal: s.or, II incOnvenient % procure
tie ingredients. equal portions Of sait,
ashes and IaEdusi, are simple, cheap
and very good.
Chloride Of lime, placed IN rooms and
o. premises suspected Of impurities, IS
considered one Of the best and most pow
erful Permanganaie Of potassa, DIS
solved 10 water until il Is considerably