The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-06-04
~
SANITARY Hints for the Hot Season Now
Upon Us.

Recent experiments made under the d.
reCtion Of the international cholera com.
mission have shown that the ordinary
methods OF disinfection are inefficient.
and, in practice, they have often failed to
arrest the spread OF infectious diseases.
AS II is impossible to experiment directly
upon tho unknown low organisms, which
are thought to be the means Of transport
ing the various infectious diseases, the ef-
iects Of chlorine and sulphurous acid were
studied upon known living organisms; the
probabilities being thought to be in favor
OF the theory that complete disinfection
should destroy ut least all known forms OF
life, although it may be true that the te-
nacity Of life Of the infective matter Of
various diseases differs just as the de-
gre Of cold necessary to put a stop TO
yellow fever is much less than that re-
quircd to arrest the spread Of cholera.
Chlorine and sulphur fumes, in sufficient
quantity, were found to be sufficient in
killing insects, fungi, bacteria and infuso-
ria; the objections to chlorine in houses
is that it is more costly; that its use is
more difficult, and that it destroys metals,
textile fabrics and colors. The burning OF
ten grams of sulphur to each cubic meter
OF air space, tightly closed, vas found not
to kill bacteria, infusoria, or all insects;
twenty grams, however, were proved to be
sufficient for that purpose. One volume
Of water, when saturated at so F., alb.
serbs 81 volumes Of sulphurous acid
enough to kill all the low organisms found
in putrid urine. The following articles
were found uninjured after several
hours exposure to an atmosphere
in which twenty grams Of sulphur
had been burned to every cubic
meter Of air-space; a clock Of steel and
brass; rusty and clean nails; gold and sill
yer money +; a military epaulet; various col
ored silk articles; a colorcd rug; calico;
down.pillows; a gilt.tramed looking.glass;
books; water in an uncorked bottle; flour;
meat; salt; bread; apples; cinnamon; va.
nilIa; cigarS wallpaper; oil paintings;
vanished articles; %gas-fxtures; water.
fixtures; a highly polished razor had a
slightly cloudy appearance IN its upper
side, but that was easily rubbed off. The
flour and meat were cooked and eaten,
and the Cigars were smoked, without any
abnormal taste or smell being observed in
the bread not all Of the observers noticed
a slightly acid taste; the inside portion
Of the apples was unchanged, the
skin was slightly sour; the water, after
standing, had an acid reaction, but
no decided taste or smell. Litmus paper
placed between the leaves of books
and unuer the carpet was turned bright
red. Many OF the articles exposed had a
decided smell OF sulphur at first, but that
soon disappeared. The experiments seem.
ed to show that clothing, bedding and
other articles may be disiniected without
being charged chemically or injured; and
it should be added that practically this
method has apparently accomplished per.
feet disinfection as tested in Berlin. II we
may judge from these results, effective
disintectiOn, by burning sulphur, requires
Is ounces to each space Of | 900 cubic feet.
The sulphur should be broken in small
pieces, burned over a vessel of water or
sand, SO as to avoid danger from ERE, and,
il the room is large, it should be put in
separate vessels in different places. The
room should be tightly closed for six
hours and then aired; it is better that
the room should be warm than cold.
OF course, efficiently disenfected air is,
duringthe process Of disiniection, irrespi-
rable. Most articles may be disinfccted in
this way, if hung up loosely in the iumi.
gated chamber, although it would be an
additional safeguard to expose any thing
thick, like a bed.mattress, to prolonged
heat ut a temperature OF about 24O' F.;
aud, indeed, heat must, with our present
knowledge, be considered the best disin.
fectsnt. With this end in view, local
boards OF health are advised to procure
furnaces and laundries, as is commonly
done in other countries, to be used for
the sole purpose OF disiniecting articles
which have been exposed to the infectious
diseases. For ordinary use, in disinfect-
ing houses, the sulphur process is the best.
A solution Of chloride OF zinc lone part OF
Burnett's d%isinfecting fluid to two hum
dred of water very quickly kills
bacteria which have been placed in it, and
arrests putretaction. Caustic lime serves
equally as well Il to 100, but leaves a sedi.
ment not always easy to remove CarbOlic
acidi in sufficient strength TO be effective
Il to 1901 is more expensive and Of disa.
greeable odor. Its needless to add that
"disinfcctantsn used in sufficient quantities
TO destroy bad smells do not necessarily
kill microscopic living organisms; ana it Is
not supposed that they directly influence
the so-called germs Of the infectious
diseases, unless concentrated to the extent
which has been mentioned. Finally, fresh,
pure air acts as one OF the best "disinfec.
tants' by enormously diluting the infec.
tious matter, and, under certain condi-
tons, including time, must render it inert
to all effect even il not quickly destroying
it, as many think is the case.
WATCHING I'll BREAEERs.-The regular
ConeY Island season was formally nnened