The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-07-11
DiSinfectantS

Disinfectants are those agents that
decOmpOse matter, or prevent Is de
composition. or absorb its results. or
conceal them SO di,infectants may
properly be arranged In four gIoupa,
namely. decompcsers. as oxygen and
chlorine anIloepIlcs, as rho ana
~>aiicylic acids absorbents, as char
coal. dry earth and ashes deceivers.
as burned sugar. rags and vinegar.
Let Us consider a few prominent
members of each group. The first and
leading one Is Oxygen. II supports
combustion. BurnIue oxidiZes and
decomposes organic matter. 1t was
IS ed 1000 years = To deCompose the
OF ensive and unhealthy odor in the
valley of Hinnom.
The second in value i the perman-
ganate of potassa. that disinfects by
Welding its oXygen 1t oxidiZes and
destroys offensive and infectious mat
ter. Ii is powerful, because it con
taIna a large amount Of oxygen, in part.
IS feebiy held. Ii has a strong disin-
tevting force. Add its solution to n
offensive matter and ii soon becomes
pure and sweet. 1t is very valuable
IN the sick room and nursery.
M third Is lime, that rapidly rots.
OF OXldizes. the compost heap. 1t de
compoS 5 and sets free large quantities
OF ammonia from animal matter un
IcrgoIng decomposition. The fourth
is chlorine, that rapidly decomposes
organic compounds when helped by
moleture 1t is the m~St efficient dis
~lntectant, and destroys quickly or
ganIc bodies. lis corrosive properties
un1lt At for purify ng clothing. Ch'o-
riue water. diluted. forms q detergent
wash. All are aware that if strong, il
not only b~leaches, but destroys the
texture IF all fabrics. 1t does not
strongly combine with lime. Chloride
Of lime exposed to air and moisture
quickly and freely yields its chlorine.
This yielding may be increased in
quantity by adding sulphuric or other
acid. This chlorine thus set free at
tacks all impurities in the air and at
once destroys them by its chemical
action. But its offensive odor lessons
its value for all domestic
y good way of using it in our dwell
lngs Is TO dip cloths III a solution and
hang them about the rooms.
Sulphate OF IRON or green vitriOl, has
Il great affinity for oxygen when eX
posed to The air 1t abSorbS oxygen very
freely and abstracts it from organic
compounds, with which it ONE in
contact and changes their chemical
nature. 1t is not fitted for absorbing
gaseous pcisons in the air. But it is
particularly useful ana cheap for
deodoriZing sink holes. ceSspools,
sewers, vaults and animal excretions.
Experience will teach each one how
much to use. If a rapid effect is de
sired, the copperas should be dissolved
IN water. If persistent action is need
ed, or if the masses are liquid, scatter
the salt III coarse powder over the sur
face. Sulphurous acid and salts are
efficient III destroying the lower forms
OF life and infected air. They form
cheap and effective agents for disin-
fecting rooms in which infectious
diseases have existed. The following
directions may be sufficient for any
case. Make the room tight. Close
the fireplaces. windows, doors and
ventilators, and open all the drawers
in the furniture and closets. Place III
the center of the room a large iron
pot. resting on our bricks. In the
pot place on end three bricks. On
these place an iron plate. and under it
a tin alcohol lamp. On the plate
place flowers of sulphur thoroughly
wet with turpentine or alcohol. Light
the lamp underneath the dish. If the
sulphur begins to melt and does not
take fire. ignite it. Leave the at
once and close the door. The room
ought to fill densely with sulphur
fumes. Keep it closely shut up till
the sulphurous acid vapor finds its es-
cape. To make sure. doubly sure, re-
peat the process. Then open the win
dows for ten days or more. Prairie
Farmer.