The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-06-05

Thus, quick lime Is q powerful deodorizer from |
Its being such wonderful absorbent Of yapors; |
and Is also antiseptic from its chemical atfnities
as q caustic alkali. |
Reverting again TO the general term dim.
feeiamts, We fnd that they differ very greatly
among themselves, possessing very different and
In some instances antagonstio property, although
having the same end for their object. II We
look also into the subeo matter for disinfection
we will perceive that here too its nature and char
acter are different under different ciroum-
stances.
We must conclude, therefore, that all agents
, called by the name disineetant Will have
proper application under appropriate eircum.
stances; and II appears there 10 some show Of
| reason for the reputation claimed for the self
Landed patent nostrums with which the market
Is crowded. But It requires little exercise Of the
reasoning power 10 show tho futility Of expecting
any one agent TO meet all the indications de-
manded under different aspects OF the case. As
we'll, indeed, might tho physician treat all dis
oaSes with one remedy, and think he was per-
| forming his whole duty.
| One other general suggestion and we will pro-
coed to the consideration of the individual means
| by which the above indications are to be met
Sanitary measures to be most effective must pre-.
cede the development Of an epidemic and not be
| left until the enemy Is upon US and has obtained
to cure " Is an adsge which all are willing to ao-
knowledge the trathfulness Of, yet few have sui.
fcient forothought to act upon. w
It 10 especially true OF the epidemic disease,
cholera, o. has been abundantly illustrated BY
late experience. II dsinfection and policing be
perfect, the scourge is prevented from efectinga
Judgment; and where IL has already seized
victim, is circumscribsd and limited. Lot not,
4 then, the lesson taught by past experiences DO
lost sight Of nor neglected, but take such action
| as shall not permit this city to be found unpre-
pared, should pestilsncs fall upon us.
| AGENTS TO BE USED As DIsINFEcrANTs.
| Perfect cieaNiiHe8 and good ventilation are
the best OF all disinfectants, to which all other
| agents arc TO be considered as adjuvants. Every
street. alley, and gutter In the city should be in.
| spected and, where necessary, oleansed, and then
kept under constant supervision that they may
| remain clean. The same care should be exer-
oised in private residences, tenant houses hotels
public schools, etc, and tho drains, cellars,
vaults, and priyies kept inla state of hygienic
cleanliness.
It is only by systematic attention to the
smaller evils, as we'll as the greater, that the de-
sired object can be accomplished. Little or no
good is done by spasmodic efforts to enforce san.
itary rules. "a plentiful supply Of water and
air and good system Of sewerage and drainage
us induce ments to cleanliness, and o good SAM.
tary police directed with knowledge, and armed
with power can alone be considered disinfeot.
ant for cities. "-S2ui6J on DiTintectant'
2. HsIi and COid.-Heat is, under some cir
/
fecting agent that we can employ. The heat Of
boiling water (2l2 deg. Fahr.) destroys tho
| germs of almost all the lower orders Of creation,
such as arc supposed to be intimately connected
with the production, and since 1t cleanses at the
same time, Is especially applicable to purifying
the clothing etc, which have been used about
patients. a dry heat of $50 deg. Is absolutely
destructive to all manner Of living organisms,
| aud can be depended on for perfect disinfection
of such articles that propagate disease, but can
not be subjected to tho boiling process, such Al
bales of dry goods, merchandise, etc.
! Cold or freezing Is much less effective agen
than heat, because II only snJpends the activity
of the noxious processes, but does not destroy
} the vitality Of the elements concerned. There
fore as soon as q higher temperature superyenes
they are restored with all their former virulence
Freezing can then only be employed with ad
vantage as temporary measure until more ell
fectivo steps can be taken
DIsIHFECrASTs PROPER.
3. Sanitary Lime, "a name suggeste1by DR.
, E. r. Squibb to apply to lime properly prepared
= for sanitary purposes.) Quick lime, dry and il
8 the form Of powder.
q This substance combines eagerly and greedil!
o with its weight Of water, and absorbs Sintee'
u. hundred times its volume Of watery vapor with
+ out losing its solid and apparently dry condition
n (Squibbj Along with the watery vapor is ais
J. taken up and destroyed the efiuyia and spore
It of which 1t is the vehicle. The lime possesse
b the double properties OF caustic nlkali-p0is0n
d ing the pabulum Of organic life coagulating tn
n al6umen of the ultimate cells, saponifying th
IT fats, and forming insoluble compounds, practi
caly, with many Of the products Of putrefactio
" II is to DO applied by placing It In shallo'
If pans about damp rooms, or sprinkling In moi.
places and upon matter undergoing putrefactioI
'y In the liquid form Of whitewash its advantage
10 are too well known and too obvious to nee
i'd more than mention
- Tho ease and safety with which quick lin
I'd NAV be applied and its abundance and cheal
Is ness, makes II best adapted to the purpose
Or out.do dtsiufeetio,i, where any agent to
~ eFectual must be used without stint.
.. 4. Sanitary Charcoal, (Squibb, freshly burnt
and in form Of noWder absorbs twenty times |
ar yoIums or hurtful ynnors and gases of putrefa
D. lion and holds than In It's pores to UNDERGO a
I. comnosition If a quantity OF charcoal DO throw
" 49, nrtrafvins mass n rsndsrs Il innoouo
ar hrpah.o,h;n, tSa em.nat;ons and whiIe N r
re ns.;ns .sn,innss ~ oct "a n altar 10 ali =,
NV ~, - d;sansoesd hsIov II Tho sb.ycosI
/, ,b,s a.. i. ai!o Ssn.SSisi In a,otbsr mannsr
nrotso.ias tha mass from the aeiion On tbo 4
bo which is necessary to ,putrefHotfvs changes nj
or the same time form, a partition, as Il rer
ir between the original substances and any othe
that NAV be added from above, as In cess pool
es Charcoal, in common with quick Slime, has
re strong recommendation to general use on =
h, count of its low cost and easy accessibility,
or well as in its properties. Tho properties Of bot
pi- these agents are such to have suggested to
Sduibb the propriety Of uniting the two into oil
is, powder for use as a general disnfeetant Cha
1or coal is great absorber Of gases, and acts wi
ms greatest energy when perfectly dry. Quick-lim