Daily Republican., 1886-12-18


Popular Science News.
A distinction not usually made
should be observed between true disln.
fectants and simple deodorizers. As q
general rule, the use of the latter Is to
be avoided, as they only cover up an
offensive odor, without neutYalizing its
harmful effects
A powerful odor Is not an essential
quality of disinfectant. The very
dilute solution of corrosive sublimate,
now so much used by surgeons as q
germicide and antiseptic, Is perfectly
odorless, and owes its effectiveness to
the poisonous action of the salt upon
microbes and bacteria. The old fash
Toned method of purifying the air of a
sick room by burning brown paper OF
coffee, may In certain eases serve to
disguise the usual unpleasant odors,
but they do not purify the air in the
slightest degree; and In these modern
days when the importance of fresh air
TO patients is recognized, there is nc
excuse for any offensive odor in the
sick room.
The action Of carbolic acid and SINH
lar substances depends, like that Of
corrosive sublimate, upon their poison.
ous effects upon microscopic organisms
and their powerful odor is only an in
cidental property.
Chloride of lime or free chlorine, or
the contrary, possess direct oxidizing
and destructive influence upon organic
matter. The exact chemical reactions
which take place are not well under
stood ;but when chlorine comes in con.
tact with water, hydrochloric acid II
formed, and oxygen is set free, prob.
ably in the form of ozone. In this
state the oxygen possesses much
greater chemical activity than in the
ordinary condition; and it acts prompt.
ly upon organic matter, including mi
crobes and similar organisms, oxidiz-
ing them to harmless substances. The
familiar bleaching properties of chlor.
inc are due to same cause.
Copperas, or ferrous sulphate, is an
other substance possessing direcl
chemical action, and used to some ex.
tent as disinfectant. Like most ter
rous salts, it is somewhat unstable
and readily passes over into the ferrit
condition, absorbing oxygen in so do
ing. 1t also has the property of decom
posing sulphuretted hydrogen gas
which is usually one of the products o
putrefaction, and the principal caus,
of much of the unpleasant odor arising
from decaying matter.
Certain essential oils. like those o
Iturpentine or lemon, when exposed t
the air, give Oft ozone, which has thu
same disinfecting effect as when form
ed by chlorine. The corks of vessel
containing them are frequently bleach
ed from this cause. These oils are to'
expensive for any extensive use a
disinfectants; and the same may b.
said of the solution of peroxide of by
drogen (H2O2), which is now a regu
lar article of commerce, and used t,
some extent for bleaching purposes.
| There is one disinfectant, however
which meets every indication, cost
nothing, and can always be obtaine,
in unlimited quantities. Pure, fresl
air will do more to dissipate noxiol
gases and destroy unpleasant odor
than all the chemicals that can b
used. The very fact that a disinfectan
Is needed is proof that offensive ma
terial exists, and its prompt removt
and strict attention to CLEANLINESS
and ventilation are the best possibl
means of avoiding danger. Pure al
and water are the best preventives (
disease, and when they can be s
easily obtained it is worse than us'
la.s. 20 sttemq' TO purify 'hem er'it
| all.