The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-12

and ten Of the others too poor to rely upon ex-
| cept in impracticable quantities. This leaves
| six that had disinfectant virtues. None are
recommended, as the committee has prescribed
disinfectants more trustworthy and of less cost
| than any proprietary preparation in the mar
ket and have detailed rules for their
| application. This preliminary report contains
probably the most complete instruction for
every day efficient disinfectaton, and formulates
the practical procedures best adapted for arrest
ing thepropagation of contagious diseases. Three
ulsinfectant solutions are presented as basis
means for ordinary practical disinfection, COM
These are designated standard solutions"
Standard solution No. l. dissolve chloride of
lime OF the best quality in pure in the pro-
portion of four ounces to the gallon. Use one
quart of this solution for the dsinfection Of each
discharge in cholera. typhoid fever, etc. Mix
well and leave in vessel for at least one hour be-
fore throwing into vault or water closet The
same directions apply for the disinfection of
vomited matters. Infected sputum should be
discharged directly into cup half full of the So
luton"
Standard solution No. q "Dissolve corrosive
sublimate and permanganate of potash in pure
water. In the proportion of two draehms of each
to the gallon. This is to be used for the same
purposes and in the same way as Standard
solution No. l. It is equally effective but
necessary to leave it for longer time in contact
with the material to be disinfected-at least four
hours. The only advantage which this solution
has over the chloride of lime solution consists in
the fact that it is odorless while the odor of chic
rine In the sick room is considered by some per-
sons Objectionable. The cost is little more.
The chlorine solution costs about one cent gal
Ion, while solution No. costs about two cents
gallon 1t is proper. also, to remark that
solution No. is highly poisonous, and it
will iniure lead pipes if passed through them in
considerable quantities 1t will be best to empty
the vessel containing excreta and dsinfectant
Into an earthen jar or wooden vessel and leave it
Tor twenry-fou hours. at the end of which time
IL may be thrown into vault or into hole in
the ground excavated for this special purpose
Standard solution No. consists Of four
ounces of corrosive sublimate and one pound of
suiphate of copper dissolved in gallon of water.
Two fluid ounces of this standard solution to the
gallon will make suitable solution for the dis
infection of clothing. The articles to be disin-
fected must be thoroughly soaked with the dis
injecting fluid and, left in 1t for at least two
hours after which they may be wrung out and
mate should not be placed in metal receptacles.
wooden tub or earthen crock Isl a suitable re-
ceptace for such solutions.
1t will not escape observation that these stand
ard solutions contain only four drugs, namely:
Chloride OF lime, corrosive sublimate perman-
ganate OF potash and sulphate of copper. The
omission of carbolic acid. chloride of zinc and
sulphate of iron strikes one as singular, in view
OF the position these chemicals have hitherto
held in the management of the excretions of per-
sons ill OF dangerous contagious diseases. The
omission was not from thoughtlessness, but
from the demonstrated fact that sulphate of
iron tcopperas) is not a dsinfectant and the
other two are inferior to the standard solutions,
ana not as suitable for sick-room application
This statement should be held in remembrance
DR.. Thomas B. Harvey, of Indianapolis,
moved that the society recommend DR.. Hibbards
paper to the State Board OF Health. for publica-
ton and general distribution, believing it to be
the duty of the State board to distribute in
ried.
DIR. Z. b. Harvey read q paper on 'Lapara-
tony" which excited great interest ard called
out remarks from Dr.. Joseph Eastman, DR.. Gal
breath, Dr. Lomax. of Marion. DR.. Sexton, of
Rushville, and DR.. Stewart of New Albany
The last paper of the afternoon session, and
also one OF extreme interest, was by Dr. E.
Hadiey. OF Indianapolis, on 'Emmenagogues."
EVENING SESSION.
The evening session was devoted to the ad-
dress of the president, DR.. j. s. Gregg, of Fort
Wayne the title of which was "Glimpses of
Few of the Beacon Lights of Medical History"
The address was survey of the bea
con lights Of the profession from
the mythical days of Esculapius
down to the time of the great Roman physician
Galen, who lived in the second century, and
showed the many places where the great ancients
had been on the borderland of discoveries which
came centuries after them. He gave interest
ing reviews OF the crude methods of Hippocrates
the father of medicine" who, born ago years
before Christ, effected a greater revolution in
medical science than had previously been
accomplished, by divesting it of much
or ats superstition and mysticism,
and establishing it upon philosophical
principles; whose authority continued to
be regarded with veneration during period of
more than two thousand years. His object was
to assist nature, for he had observed that
there ID an effort of nature which generally tends
to the establishment Of health, although a cure
may not always follow. 1t was in consequence
of such observation that he promulgated the
axiom Mature is the first Of physicians" An
other great Greek physician was Aristotle, born
384 B. c., admitted to have been the most pro-
found investigator of all the sciences known to
man at his time While he is no
longer regarded as authority, yet to
prove the fact of Aristotles influence
as one Of the great fountain heads of thought in
modern times it is only necessary to mention the
fact that the University of Oxford has made a
renewed study of Aristotle one of the chief in
struments of education. The learning and skill
of Praxagoras CELSIUS Herophlus, Erasistratus
and Galen were also described.
The address was, on motion, placed in the
hands of the committee publication, and the
first days session closed. The first business of
the session this morning will be the selection of
committee on nominations, which will be fol-
lowed by an executive session and the reading of
papers.
The New City Hall.
The City Hall committee held a meeting YES