Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-06-22
THE GAZET'IE=
TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE q.
communicated.
OZONE-BY J. B.. JOHNSON. NJ. D.

OZONE-BY J. B. JOHNSON, NJ. D.
From the earliest history Of electricity it has
been known that when current OF that fuld
passes from pointed bodies into the surround
ing atmosphere, there is evolved powerfully
odorous gas, which produces on the sense OF
smell an offensive and irritating effect; IL Is
by 90 means an agreeable door, and "heh
freely inspired, causes painful irritation or the
air passages. It is probably nothing more than
the ordinary oxygen of the air Intensified by
chemical action. 1t is named Ozone, after
the Greek word oso, which means to emit an
odor and when once inhaled is not readily Tor
gotten. 1t is justly appreciated as valuable
gas, possessing the norma! property OF uniting
with aud quickly destroying the putrd partl-
cles or emauatioos which are given Oft during
the process OF animal and vegetable decoupo-
stion and the probability is, that l. possesses
this property or power to more decided oe-
gree than any other known gas 1t Is said that
It's quantity 10 the atmosphere has, in great
measure, something to do with rendering local
tiles healthy or unhealthy; and that its abb
sence in the heated air of summer leads TO DIS
eases of the stomach and bowels, and Its IN
creased presence in the cold air OF winter is the
fruitful cause of severe diseases OF the throat
and chest. The difference is explained by the
fact that the decomposition OF anlmal and veg
etable matter is much more rapid 10 not
weather than 10 cold, and the emanatlons from
decayiDg substances meet the ozone 10 the ar
and exhaust or consume 1t, thereby DIMINISH
ing its quantity, leaving superabundance or
ureponderance OF efiuvia to poison the air and
make it noxious to breathe and Injurious to
health and life. 1t Is therefore, claimed that
if by art full supply Of ozone could be com-
muuicated to the atmosphere during the heat
ed weather Of summer, many Of the diseases
peculiar to that season would be prevented, or
decidedly diminished 10 frequency and severn
ty; and so enthusiastic are some IN regard ~
its potent properties that they confidently pre-.
dict the time not far distant when the prophy-
tactic use of 1t will be so perfect that the ap.
peatance Of typhoid fever, cholera aud the class
of malarious diseases will be made as rare as
such disorders are now common. Be this as 1t
may, this gas is doubtless natures product to
rid the air of noxlous vapors, aud whether pro
duced naturally OF artlicialy, its powers OF dis
Injection are the same. Repeated trials OF 1t
as a disinfcctant 10 hospitals and public build
inps have sufficiently proved its utility to war
rant recommendation of its use 10 the sick
room, and 10 those parts Of house which are
likely to be filled with impure OF foul air. The
scientific skill and costly materials necessary
heretofore to the production OF Ozone have
been the principal impediments to a frequent
and extended use Of it as valuable and rella-
bic dislutectanr; but it is now COULD IDENTIFY sug
gested that all the ozone necessary tor Ordinary
use may be readily obtained from the common
lucifer matches. Science evolves ozone BY
electricity aud by exposing moistened phos-
phorus to the air; but it is said that ordinary
matches contain phosphorus enough to yield
all the ozone requisite tor domestic purposes.
The plan is to molsten TWO or three boxes OF
matches with warm water, and suspend them
about room, and wet them once day, aud
the probability is, that half dozen boxes of
matches thus treated will give Out ozone tor a
period of two or three days, and in sufficient
quantity to purify the air of large apartment;
and any one suspectiug the air of his room to
be impure can thus, by this. simple use Of
few boxes of matches, render it pure and
healthy to breathe.