The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-03-10

Uestroyers 81 Contagfon.
Modern science has let in food o
light upon the cause Of many illnesses, ant
the nature Of the contagia upon which
their propagation depends Not only ha'
the cause Of disease been traced to agent,
external to the body, but the exact form o.
these disturbing organisms has been point
ed ont, They consist of minute particles
probably in most or all cases Of vegetable
nature; they arc therefore nom -gaseons, and
in no respect comport themselves like gas.
eous bodies.
The contagious principle OF fever is cork.
screw like spirills; in other diseases it ap
pears in large motionless rod; in others
as a solid body, ragged and nearly round.
These bodies float in the atmosphere in
clouds, and when inhaled, or when they
come in contact with abraided surfaces,
mocculation occurs, and the disease is OF a
type peculiar to the nature OF the specific
poison. The bodies start in the cirsula-
tion morbid chemical action, or servo as
ferment, which disturbs or devitalizes
the blood, and thus produces most serious
illnesses
Malarial feyers, measles, diphthoria,
scarlet fever, small po1, and many other
alarming diseases result from blood poi.
soning through the action Of these curious
external agents. So long as the nature of
the noxious material was unknown, the
chemical agents, as disinfoctants, deodo-
rants, antiseptics, ETC., were selected to
satisfy the most various and dissimilar
theories as to its nature and properties but
since better understanding has been
reached, more intelligent and scientific
selection and use OF these substances can
be made. 1t is important that in families
where cases Of zymotic diseases prevail,
accurate knowledge should be possessed
as to the methods OF preventing sspread
OF the contagion. Every physician should
be well informed on this subject. but nm.
fortunately some OF them ore not
OF course, the septic germs, in cases Of
small poI, dipbtheria, ETC., fall upon the
floors and walls OF rooms, upon the bed,
and upon the clothing of attendants
Upon these deposits tho usual
solid or liquid disiniectants, expos
ed in the room have little or no effect,
nothing but thorough ventilation and
cleansing, with the use Of gaseous disin.
fectants, will expel them. The best meth
cd to disinfect clothing is by the use Of
heat. Experiment has shown that DO
form OF contagia can Withstand tempera-
ture of220o r.. therefore, clothing placed
in hot box two hours, with dry heat
above that Of boiling water, is thoroughly
dislufected; or it may be soaked in boiling
water with the same result.
Vaccine matter may be taken as the
type OF n virulent material, and expert
ments upon this poison prove that disin-
fectants, to be effectual, must be used in
much larger quantities than usually con-
siderel necessary. II the destroying
agent is an acid nature. the virus must be
rendered permanently and strongly acid.
The end desired is to destroy the Inactive
power completely. II is not generally
known that carbolic acid, in quality equal
10 per cent, Of the virus, is incapable Of
ioing its work upon vaccine virus. 1t
leprives it Of its infectiyc power for the
lime being, but this returns as soon
Is the carbolic acid has escaped
hrough exposure to the air
Chlorine is gaseous body, and is in or
lieary cases an effective dislnfectant. II
S, however. inferior TO sulphuric acid;
his is the most valuable agent we have, but
mt fortunately it is not safe inexperienced
lands. A room in which case of infect
ons disease has been placed can be thor
ugly cleansed by burning little sulphur
n the absence Of the inmates The sui
'huric acid is gas exceedingly disagree !
BILE aud irrespirable and great caution is
ecessary in its use. {
Permanganate Of potash is true disin-
sctant having oxidizing powers Of high /
apability, but il must be used in much /,
arger quantities than are usually employ
d. It's high cost is bar TO its free use. t
nd It is not clearly seen how it will ever ,
e any cheaper. Chloride OF lime, freely c
sed, is good disinfectant; but when !
laced in vessels in small quantities in s
Ick rooms, sparingly sprinkled in drains, I
has but slight influences as destroyer t
coniagion. Carbonate Of lime is a cheap
I'D good disinfectant, but it must be used G
! large amounts 10 be useful il
Several OF the metallic salts have power u
Il antiseptic properties; for example. the {
rotosnlphate Of iron. This salt, in strong a
,lntion, is valuable agent and is worthy I
notice. AT this point it should be n
ated that carbolic acid and the metallic b
Its. used in small quantities are prcser- s
alive agents, and msy actually prolong g
ie life Of cotagion by preventing its des- 4
-uction through natural process. n
There are numerous patented "auiisep- q
cs, and disinfec.ants. which arc perfect 4
! worthless 90 far a. any influence upon D
.ptie germs is concerned II is very i'm g
ortAnt that heads Of families. and cspeci. 4
ly physicians, should early unders,and b
ha, Is required when selecting an agent '