Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-22
DestrOyers of COntagiOns

lboston journal OF chemistry
Modern science has let in flood of light
upon the cause OF many Illnesses, and the
nature OF the contag1a upon which their propa-
cation depends. Not only has 1.-THE cause OF
nen to agents to the
organisms has been pointed Cut. They consist
OF minute particles, probably In most or all
cases of vegetable nature; the: ARE therefore
selves like gaseous bodies.
The contagious principle OF fever is cork.
screw-like splrtlla: In other diseases it appears
as large mot1onless rod, In others as solid
body, ragged. and nearly round. These bodies
float In the atmosphere In Clouds and when In
hailed, or when they come In contact with
disease is Of the type peculiar to the nature of
the specific poison. The bodies start In the
circulation morbid chemical action, or serve
as ferment, which disturbS or devitalizes the
blood, and thus produces most serious Illnesses
Malarlal feverS measles. diphtheria, scarlet
fever, smallpox, and many other alarming dis
eases result from blood poisoning through the
action OF these curious external agents. So long
as the nature OF the nOxlous material was un-
known, the chemical agents, as disinfectants,
deodorants, antiseptics, etc, were selected to
satisfy the most various and diSsimilar theories
as TO its nature and properties; but since bet
ter understanding has been reached, more in.
telligent and scientific selection: and use Of
tn, sc substances can be made IL Is important
that in families where cases of zymotlc dis
eases prevail, accurate knowledge should be
possessed as to the methods OF preventing a
should be well informed ON this subject, bat
UNI Ortunately some OF them are not.
or course the septic germs, In cases OF small
poX; dphtheIia, etc, fall upon the floors ald
clothing OF attendants. Upon these deposits
the usual solid or liquid dislntectants exposed
In the room have little or no effect: nothing
but thorough cleansing and ventilation, with
the use OF gaseous disinfectants, will expel
tn m. The best method to DISTRICT clothing
Is by the use OF heat. Experiment has shown
perature Of 22oo, F.; therefore, clothing placed
In hot box two hours, with dry heat above
tnat OF boiling water Is thoroughly disinfected;
or it may be soaked In boiling water with the
same result.
Vaccine matter may be taken as the type OF
a Vlrulent material, and experiments upon this
poison prove that d!sinfecLants, to be e1fecrual,
must be used In much larger quantity than has
usually been considered necessary. II the de-
stroy1ng agent Is of all acid nature, the virus
must be rendered permanently and strongly
i've power completely. 1t Is not genC-a
known that carbolic acid. In quantity equal to
2 per cent OF the virus, Is Incapable or doing
this work upon vaccine virus. II deprlves Is OF
returns as soon as the carbolic acid has escaped
through exposure TO the air.
Clorfne is gaseous body, and is In ordinary
cases an effective dlsinfectant. IL IL, however,
inferior to sulphurOus acid; this Is the most
valuable agent we have. but unfortunately 1t
is not safe in inexperienced hands 4 room in
placed can be thoroughly cleansed by burning
a little sulphur In the absence of the inmates
The sulphurouS acid is a gas exceedingly disa-
greea0le and irrespirable, and great caution is.
necessary in Its use.
PeTmanganate OF potash is true dlsinfect-
ant, having Oxidizing powers OF high capao-
1li'y, but IL must be used In much larger guam
titles than are usually employed. Its high
cost is bar to its free use, and IL Is not clearly
seen how 1t can ever become much cheaper.
Chloride OF lime, freely used, Is good dis1n-
fecJant; but when it is placed In vessels In
small quantities In sick rooms, or sparingly
sprinkled In drains, 1t has but slight influence
as destroyer OF cOntagiOn. CarbOlate OF lime
Is cheap and good diSinfectant but 1t must be
used in large amounts to be useful Several OF
the metallic salts have powerful antiseptic
properties; for example, the protosulphate OF
iron. This salt, IN strong solution, is valu-
able agent, and is worthy OF notice. At this
point 1t should be stated that carbolc acid and
the metallic tsalts, used In small quantities. are
preservative agents, and may actually prOlolg
the life OF contagium by preventing It's destruc-
ton through natural processes.
There are numerous patented "antiseptics''
less so far as any influence upon septic germs
is concerned. II is very important that heads
OF families and especially physicians, should
clearly understand what Is required when
selecting an agent for practical use. COnta-
gi0us particles OF all forms are 1mbedded in an
epithelial or al0uminOuS covering, and they
90 not yield their vitality readily, and never TO
improper agents. There are good deodorants
which arrest putrefacton and fermentation.
and yet completely fail TO destroy contagious
particles.