Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-20

SMALL POl.

While in many States free vaccination is af-
forded and the municipal authorities are gen.
eIally authorized to provide therefor, and in
some cases to require and enforce it, but little
attention has been given to the subject of re-
liable and practicable disinfection. In the
State of Maryland, for instance, in 1871, an
act was passed authorizing a vaccine agency
tile appointment of a vaccine agent-re-
quiring him to procure and keep on hand pure
vaccine virus-subje physicians to severe
penalties who use defective virrs-enforcing
the duty Of parents and guardians to have
children yaccinated, &c. This is ell well.
But ought we not also to adopt any and every
method approved by medical science or war
ranted by experience, of arresting the progress
of this and other contagious diseases? Is
there any safe and reliable disinfectant, and
if so, what is it? and in what manner should
| it be used: These questions arc answered by
1. Rowell, NJ D., in his report as Health Of
fcer, July LIST, 1869, to the board Of super
visors of the city and county Of San Francisco,
in which lie says:
"There are many dsintec,anls in popular
favor, but in my experience | have learned
that there is but one that can be relied upon
in all emergencies, and that is chlorine.
Chlorine is cheap, effective and available,
within the reach Of all, and applicable to all
cases where disinfcction or publication is
necessary. The elimination of chlorine is un-
attended with the least danger when in the
hands of peIson who has sense enough to
follow directions.
During the prevalence OF the epidemic in
this city, not q single case of small pox &C.
CURED in any room occupied by small pox
patient after it had been fumigated with
chlorine.
Whenever small pox patient left his or
her room, either by recovery, removal to the
small pox hospital, or death, all the clothing,
bedding and furniture were subjected to a
thorough fumigaticn with chlorine for at least
week or ten days. After free ventilation
until no cdor of chlorine could be detected in
the room there was no longer to be found
that disgusting and sickening smell of small
pox, so unmistakable TO those who have once
known it. Again, the scahs on the bed and
floor, which had fallen from the patient, were
changed from their dark color and resinous
consistency, to dirty white appearance and
perfectly 1riable when sui mttcd to slight
pressure"
Speaking Ct csrtoiic acid, he says, ono
change is wrought in tile appearance Of the
scabs, neither is their activity for propagating
the disease upon the COW impaired in the leas,
by the fumes of carbolic acid. After fumiga-
ton by chlorine, the effect is directly opposite
the scabs, when used to inoculate a COW,
produced no results whatever"
He then describes the most practicable
mode Of using chlorine as disiniectant, thus ::
"The gas may be eliminated from commercial
chloride of lime heated with any acid, or from
black oxide of manganese and hydrochloric
acid. But the best and cheapest manner of
eliminating chlorine for the purpose Of disin-
fiction is the following: Take equal parts, by
weight, Of common salt, black oxide of man
ganese and water, and two parts of sulphuric
+ acid package of the above, containing