Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-09-06

the skin of the lips, and even produces
a disagreeable feeling where the skin
is much thicker, so that great caution
should be used in employing it as a
wash. tits as disinfectant, however,
that carbolic acid has proved to be most
valuable; its power in this direction
being undoubtedly due to it's property
of coagulating albumen. We may or
may not adopt what is known as the
germ theory of disease: one thing is
certain, however, and that is that dis
ease is propagated by the transporta-
ton Of organic matter in a highly ac-
tive condition. By combining with
the essential element of all organic
matter in state Of change, and rend-
ering this element inert, carbolic acid
destroys the virulent properties Of mi
asm and infection. That it has the
power to prevent contagion was proved
very clearly by Mr.. Crookes, who found
it most perfect destroyer Of the infec-
tion Of the cattle plague. More re-
Gently special commission was ap-
pointed by the French Academy of Sci
ences, to study the various methods of
disinfecting those localities which,
during the late siege of Paris, had been
inhabited by persons afflicted with con-
tagious diseases. Although the COM
missioners, in their report, pronounce
hyponitrous acid to be the most ef6ca-
cious of all the substances used in their
experiments, yet they state that car
bolic acid is nearly good, while it is
far more easily applied, and far less
dangerous and expensive. It's value
as deodorizer is evidenced by the fact
that, in a case which came under the
observation of the commissioners, and
in which chlorine and the hypochlor-
ties entirely failed to deodorize the
gasses given off by the bodies at the
Paris Morgue during the heat of sum-
mer, carbolic acid proved perfectly
eficacious. When the bodies were
sprinkled with an exceedingly dilute
solution of the acid, putrefaction was
at once arrested and the foul odors re-
moved. According to M. Devergie,
water containing only the .1-4000th
part by weight of carbolic acid COM
pletely disinfected the deadhouse in
the hottest weather, even when it con-
ttained six or seven dead bodies.
There are various methods of apply
ing carbolic acid, all founded upon its
property of vaporizing in combustion
with water at ordinary temperatures.
Thus, it may be mixed with water and
sprinkled over the floor and walls OF
dwellings or stables and cow-sheds.-
AS, however, the solution produces dis
agreeable stains, and as it is difficult
to remove the odor when the necessity
for the use of the disinfectant has pass
ed away, it is found to be. more conve-
nient to sprinkle the liquid over saw
dust or sand, contained in shallow pans
which are placed in the apartments to
be disinfected, or the liquid may be
sprinkled over waste cloth which may
be hung up in the apartment. For
washing animals, or even the human
body, carbolic acid soap is an excellent
form in which to use this disinfectant,
and it has even been applied to the
preservation of meat in The following
manner: Five parts Of stearine are
melted at gentle heat; two parts of
carbolic acid are then stirred IN thor
oughly, and five parts of melted paraf-
fine added. The whole is to be well
stirred together till it cools, after which
it is melted and applied with a brush
to paper, in the same way that the we'll
known waxed paper, so much used for
wrapping various articles, is prepared.
Meat wrapped in this paper is said to
retain it's freshness for several days,
even in warm weather.
The odor of carbolic acid is very
powerful, and, to some persons, exceed
ingly disagreeable. It may even be
questioned whether it is altogether
healthy, since we know that in con-
centrated condition it proves rapidly
destructive to life. Some years ago an
attempt was. made to substitute car
bolic acid for carbonic oxide in the fam
GUS Gamgee process. No difficulty was
found in slaughtering the animals by
exposing them to air slightly impreg'
mated with carbolic acid. A bird, q
dog, and sheep, were successfully
killed, and then an OK was tried. He
became little obstreperous, but final.
ly succumbed. The question now a.
rises, to what extent may air be i'm
pregnated with carbolic acid yapol
without being rendered unhealthy ?
In regard to this point, we know Of nc
reliable experimental Investigations
That in certain common cases it il
powerfully destructive of animal life
is well known, and consequently We
find it extensively used for the remoya.
of certain annoying parasites which in
vest man and other animals. For the
removal of fleas and other pests from
dogs, cats, Sleeps; etc., a strong wash
of carbolic acid soap is the best agent
yet discovered.-Science Of HEATH.
~A Southern editor promises, with
his wife's assistance, to name baby
4 Il. IL III