Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-08-22
OZONE AND SAM
TARY OPERA fIONS.


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ATMOSPHERIC OZONE AND SAM
TARY OPERA fIOhS.
During this cur heated term, when
the board of health is exceptionally act
i've and uncompromisir G in the enforce
ment of sanitary regulations, it may
prove interesting to examine brief
ly into the rdtiOnGe Of the pro-
visions made for maintaining the
general and nominal health Of our
city. In the reports Of boards OF
health, or health associations, we quite
frequently notice the term "ozone" used,
but we venture to say that very few
know what ozone is. In fact, scientists
themselves are not quite agreed; still,
research has developed sufficient to de-
mand public attention to its nature and
relation to health and the prOtean phs.
tank Of diseases which the present ag-
gravated hot weather is apt to generate.
A few years since q gentleman Of Mis-
sissippi, II we mistake not, communi-
Gated to the Scientific american the
singular fact that he had observed, DUR
ing exceptionally unhealthy summers,
breeding fevers and epidemics, the few
showers and storms which visited us
were seldom, if ever, accompanied by
lightning. This journal, in referring to
it, remarked that it was not aware that
this phenomena had been before noticed,
and was unable to see, IL true, what re-
Iation it could have with health or dis
ease. But the fact is now well estab-
Iished, aud its exploitation has been en-
bodied in an address delivered before
the American Public health association
of New York by George M. Beard, M.
D., to which we are largely indebted for
the following facts. Ozone is oxygen in
an active or highly electromagnetic
state; that is, oxygen is static or rels-
lively inactive, while in its active or
ktntic state it is termed ozone. Every
one must know the importance Of oxy-
gen in the economy Of life, and in its
active Rllotropic state, ozone, it plays q
still more important part therein, in adj
dition to its chemical action as natures
great disinfectant Of contagion. 1t Is
well known that electricity lie more
abundant in winter than in summer. It
has also been shown that there are two
daily tides of positive atmospheric cleo
tricity-the high tides between nine and
twelve o'clock in the moraing and six
to rine o'clock of the evening; the low
tides between two and five in the NOM
log and one and five in the even
ing. Ozone follows these tides of cleo
trieity, rising and falling regularly
twice during the twenty-four hours.
Ozone is also most abundant during and
Immediately after heavy thunder show
ers, and more so in winter than in sum-
mer, evidently being developed by and
following the fluctuations of atmospheric
electricity. 1t will be remembered
that during storms the atmosphere is al
ways in negative condition, its general
state being positive. DR.. Wislisenus, Of
st. Louis, who has charge Of the mete-
orologic observations there, found that
Ia two thousand one hundred and twen-
ty-four observations, made at regular
hours, the atmospheric electricity was
two thousand and forty.six times posi-
tive and but seventy. eight times mega.
fn1 ~
a negative state were connected with
thunder or hail storms, or by thunder
and lightning. Electricity, as is well
understood, is generated by any kind of
chemical change or action and by frit.
ton and pressure-is ever being evolved
by the cesseless chemistry Of the earth
and sky. 30 with ozone, its complement
tary. DR.. Beard remarks that the air of
the sea is richer in this element than the
air of the land, because evaporation is
attended with the simultaneous develop
ment Of oxygen and ozone, and the
lashiDgs Of the waves, by their friction,
assist in its development. Mr.. Binney,
Of Manchester (Englsnd), thinks that
the atmosphere Of towns may be sensi-
bly, ozonizsd by the action of public
fountains; and even shrubbery and trees
by their restless motion excite electricity
and ozone. 1t is more abundant in the
country than in the town;
among mountains than in
the valleys; In well-drained
neighborhoods than in those where such
sanitary provisions are disregarded, and
Is almost q stranger in closed rooms and
chambers. In its chemical action 1t
quickly consumes ammonia, and de-
hydrochloric acid, the two "a
tai gases most freely evolved in the de-
of vegetal and animal
matter, being, In fact, one of natures
great purifiers. But in disinfectiRg
and purifying decsying and putrid mat
ter, 1t is itself destroyed. 1t dies that
others may live. Hence 1t is that there
liz little Of ozone in the air of towns and
cities and Villages, and in hospitals. The
ozone IL consumed In the process of oxi-
iizing the products o. combustion and
decay" II 50, it must be apparent to
the dullest comprehension that Just In
as our city is pervaded by
pools of stagnant water, and our streets