Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-06-08
DISINFECTANFS.

To the Editor of the Union and American.
In view of the disease now prevailing in
our cay, it would perhaps not be amiss to
give, through the medium of your columns,
q few Of the cheapest and most effect
ual isinfec' ants whose properties have
been tested by the most rilid experiments,
and by long and continued use.
Lime and copperas combine in an eminent
degree both cheapness and thoroughness CT
action; they csn be applied either single or
togeL ior. For stables or places in which
there IS a great quantity of d csying matter,
it would be advisable TO apply both in the
following manner: First, remove all the
unhealthy and decayiDg matter possible,
then sprinkle lime very freely over the
Mace from which the filth has been re-
moved: then take a common garden
spri .klar, If one is convenient, and Ill t
with \ satu- a'ed solution Of cOpperas in wa
ter, or to be more perspicuous, with water
thst has dissolved all the coppeTas that it
it car; nov sprinkle this solution
o7er Tie lime il will st irst appear, in the
ul css where copperas has fallen, Of a green
ish lor, hut will afterwards turn to a
light ied. The reaction may be briefly ex
plsired as follows: The solution Of copper
as being sprinkled on the lime is decom-
posed the lime unites with the sulphUric
acd ia the copperas and forms the sulphate
of lime, the oxide Of iron in the eoppsras is
left f. es, and soon combines with The oNy-
gen Of the air, forming the sesquioNide OF
iron, which is the light red substance seen
afJer the oOpperas has been placed in con-
tact a ith the alkali. OF course there has
not hean enough of The solution applied l.
unite with all the lime, and as lime increases
the decsying action Of the dec2ying matter,
The u Of the sulphate of lime becomes ap-
parent, for in very near all decaying sub
stances the carboBa'e fammonia is liberated,
and according TO LiebIg the sulphate of lime
has the properly Of decompssiug this sub
slsncs (carbona.e OF fsmmOnis), forming the
sulphate of ammonia and the carbonate II
lime, harmless substances; now we SEQ
that from the two articles applied ve have
left after they have performed their office,
three inert substances. Another very pop
MAR and widely used disiufeclaut is the
chloride Of me; to use this, proceed as fol
lows: Pl &c the chloride Of lime in suta-
ble receptacle, such as q SANGER or plate,
aud pour vinegar, or any acid In tEct, over
II. ard the chlorine will be liberated; it is a
corrosive, suffocating gas, and care should
be taken 70 have the room open, aud any
metal which may be in it removed; its &C
ton is very beneficial, especially for remov-
ing ioul odors. SulphurOus acid, or the
fumes Of burning sui phur also have aplacs
among disinfec.anis; the room ia which II
is used should also be well ventilated
Burnt paper and sugar are sometimes used
bat are ia respect beneficial only dis
placing the foul smell with a more agreea-
bic ore of their own; thy do not remove CT
in any way ac5 in beneficial manner, and
should not be used. OF course disinfec-
tan;s are almost numberless, but the fore
going cnes comprise the cheapest and the
IsUst active. CHIBoN.