Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-02-25
PROFESSOR poREMus

Then illustrated by experiments how gases
will penetrate stone walls, and by sections
of wall illustrated that hydrogen gas
pass through wall. He took solid eight
inch brick, and when it was gas-ladened
he blew out candle through the brick by
simply using his lungs as the motor for the
air. To demonstrate in still more forci-
BILE manner that gases will pass through
porous substances, even contrary to the
greatest pressure, glass tube three feet in
length was taken, turned up at its lower
extremity and terminating in an open re-
ceiver which was covered with bladder
and protected by folds Of cloth and partly
filled with red htmus water. Mercury
was poured into the long tube until a
column of thirty inches was obtained,
equalling the pressure of one atmosphere.
The receiver was then covered with glass
jar full of ammonia gas. This gas passed
through the bladder, notwithstanding this
antagonistic pressure, as proved by turning
the red litmus blue. Professor Doremus
remarked that the late John w. Draper
bad demonstrated that gases would pass
through membranes Notwithstanding a
pressure of twenty atmospheres. Other
equally as
STRIKING EXPERIMENTS
Followed. He showed also how chlorine
gas may be used TO purify foul walls. He
said if bromine was poured into basin in
a room where scarlet fever, small-p ox and
other contagious diseases had occurred, the
| walls as well as other porous substances in
| the room were purified. In the basins of
water-closets chemicals should be placed, y
said the professor, that will decompose
sulphuretted hydrogen and other vile gases
which might otherwise pass through the
| water in the goose.neck attached to the
| basin"
REMEDIES.
! A mixture of about equal weights of
manganese of soda and sulphate of mag.
nesia thrown into the water will develop
into ozone and decompose any poisonous
gases. The chloride of zinc is also efhca-
cious in this respect. 1t is used in the
| germicide. The Labarragne solution (hypo-
| chlorite of soda) and many other chemicals
might be employed. An ounce of iodine
| sprinkled in saucer and placed In the
water. closet will give off the vapor of this
substance and be also very beneficial. For
all the electro. negatives ozone, chlorine,
bromine and iodine are possessed of this
excellent potency of destroying the poison
Gus gases" The Professor related feelingly
how he had lost his only son by drain-pipe
| gas poisoning.
DIR. WILLARD PARKER's VIEWS.
The laws of life and health were omnipo-
tent, DR.. Parker remarked, and the more
we observed them the more perfect and
healthful would be our days. The whole
subject was one of profound Importance.
Professor Doremus had exhibited the pene-
trative power of the fatal gases to degree
not known even to himself (Dr. Parker).
In 1916, when the chip fever was so de-
structive, dozens were found dead of a
morning at Bellevue Hospital, so that tents
had to be established out of doors where they
had the benefit Of fresh air, and as soon as
this was done they all recovered, Previousto
Croton water, in 1915, no diphtheria was
known in this city. Diphtheria was solely
caused by bad air from sewers-by sewer
malaria. A very dear friend of his living
opposite him, who depended on the air
from his cellar, lost two children from
diphtheria. 1t was great luxury to have
the Croton water laid on, but if he were to
build house now he would have the old
fashioned washbowl and no connection
whatever with the sewer. " Surprising,
MIR. President" the speaker asked, there
was a vault of dead bodies near your house,
would you be willing to have tute to con-
meet your bedroom with it 2"