Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-27
1926. WAsHINGTON, D. G., TUESDAY, AUGUST 27 1873
Yellow Fever and Other Infectious
Diseases.

Yellow Fever and Other Infectious
Diseases.
OBSERVATIONS OF A MICROSCOPIST.
The following communication is from Mr..
Thomas Taylor, microscopic of the Depart
ment Of Agriculture, and contains inform
tiOn OF great Importance at this time in rela-
tion to yellow fever and other infectious dis.
eases:
ANTIsEPTICs, DIsINFECTANTS AND DRODo-
RANTS.
Although the substances embraced under
the above caption, have been frequently treat
ed of by chemists, medical men and special
lists, there Is still room for new and valuable
contributions to our stock OF knowledge in
this line. Those who are daily engaged in the
use of the microscope have ample Opportuni-
ties to put to test the various substances re
commended as germ destrOyers. Much con
fusion exists in the public mind in regard to
their essential properties, and have known
chemists and medical men Of considerable
distinction in their own exact profession, to
have very crude notions in relation II anti
septics, disinfectants and deOdorizers. Many
valuable substances which are deemed value
less as deodorants, have very high value as
medical men OF repute condemn valuable
disinfectant because it failed to deodOrize
The function OF a disinfectant is that of
acis as disinfectanIs for the time being. All
the caustic alkalies decompOse the al6umen
of germinal matter and are therefore di,infec
temperatures are also diSinfectantS since
they destroy albumen by coagulatiOn. Many
substances of a disagreeable Odor are in them
selves powerful disinfectants; concentrated
sulphuretted hydrogen, bisulphide of ammo
mum, carboretted hydrogen, and bisulphide
OF carbon are examples, and as all of these
peratures in which no germ could possibly
live, it results that bad odOrs are not neceS-
sarily proof of the presence of infectious
germs. Odorous substances are generally
III q fa n Sippoiln
OF themselves. Germinal matter, vegetable or
animal, under favorable conditions, will mul-
tiply in numbers adfnitum making their
prompt destruction an absolute necessity. To
ascertain the effect of diSinfectantS, by the aid
OF the microscope, on germinal matter, tits only
necessary to place sporiferOus matter On glass
Slips and pour the disinfectant over it. The
respective changes produced by different sub
stances will be easily seen. The spores shrink
and will especially in an atmosphere of car
POI noic aeld or indeed by any OF the yapors Of
metallic salts, unless highly concentrated, are
not reliable as dlSlnfectantS, although valu
able as deOdorants. All metallic salts are an
tiseptics to- greater or less degree. In some
instances fungi has been found growing in
such solutions, especially in sulphate of copper.
=. Water, moist atmosphere, and weak solu-
growth of fungi, and animal germinal matter
If into glass receiver a variety of living
germs are placed on slips of glass and the at
will grow with great rapidity, while the higher
plants would succumb under the same con
ditlons. BY the use of the microscope, these
of interest. and it will be seen that millions of
surface.
atmosphere teW days it will smell badly. Place
0ne-half OF it In solution of carbOlic acid and
water, containing about per cent. of the acid,
it will be observed that the bad odor is not re-
tiOn of clear chloride of lime when the odOr
will be instantly destroyed. Next expose both
pieces to the atmosphere and under cover, in
will have lost its bad OdOr, and it will harden
and dry up. No mold or other germinal mat
ter Will grow on it; 1t was disinfected inter
though devoid of odor, when hung up viii in
short period show signs of decay and again
smell badly: showing that the acid disnfected
only, while M the chloride simply deodorized.
periments with essential oils, including the
oil OF eucalyptus glObules and the spirits of
turpentine, which were published in the re-
that year. found that the oil of eucalyptus
disinfected fresh meat as effectually as car
bolic acid. besides being powerful deodor-
agreeable forming a valuable substitute for
the carbolic. especially for the sick room
Iurpentine found to be also a most powerful
added to pail full of water, will destroy the
order of ceSspoOlS instantly and ia the sick
chamber will prove a powerful! auxiliary in
both dsinfectant and deOdOrizer. have
quite recently added to the list of disinfect-
ants one OF general application, and it has for
many many purposes the advantage of cheapness
Xdth,,r with remarkable effectiveness. allude to
Gasoline when applied to the germs of fungi
or OF other cryptOgamie plants Instantly de-
strOys them, although 1t fails to deOdOrize
gases. Being solvent of oils and fats it de-
stroys animal germs. and fatty degeneration
gives way to it. 1t may be employed full
strength to wash delicate and tender plants
and sores without producing pain. It is
Wholly deXoid o OF the caustc principle even
disagreeable sensation: A single drop applied
to any insect will kill it, and even its Vapors
have most destructive effect on the lower
forms a OF animal IN NE: When gasoline is applied
on evaporation it produces the sensation of
cold, followed soon after by a sensation of
heat. Of course all experiments should be
made in the absence of artificial light as it is
=, Mail matter supposed to be infected can be
thoroughly diSinfected by the application Of
gasoline, either by immersion or by sponging
tne surfaces. M 1t penetrates with lightning
gloves, bank notes, ribbons, dress goods, silk,
cotton and linen, evap0ratingin in few minutes
without injury to the goods. l have placed
sealed letters in this solution for a few mo-
in less than five minutes the gasoline eyap
Grated a M Meaving the letters dry, without stain,
an0 well dlSlhIected. THOS. TAYLOR.
TROUBLESOME INDIANS IN MoNTANA.-A
ranchmen from whom the Indians stole stock
on the Montana road at Red Rock, week
ago, followed them with party of citizens
until 1t was found they had joined a large
retnrned IL 10 Sunnnsad 4b"t "Hu tha tno HaIsuers