Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-01
OZONE AND BACTERIA
Experiments Have Brought to Light .
New Curative Agent.

Experiments Have Brought to Light .
New Curative Agent.
Chicago Tribune.l
The Tribune OF last Sunday called attention
to the recent introduction of ozone as q euro
for diseases caused by micro-germs, and
especially those found in the respiratory
passages and cells. Its sanative action was
stated to be traceable in all probability to
its great oxidizing affinities and its more
ready influence on the breathing organs to
the fact that 1t would seem to return to the
state of ordinary oxygen before reaching
other portions of the animal economy after
having been taken into the lungs. These
ideas are in complete harmony with the
latest information on the subject, which
ought to be one of intense interest both to
the sick and to those who wish to avoid as
long as possible falling into that category.
Microscopical examinations show that al
though during the different stages of disease
the bacteria producing it may change their
form and dimensions, yet chat each species
OF bacteria placed under the same circum-
stances will assume the same forms and pro-
duce the same effects that belong to its own
character. 1t has also been discovered that
all the bacteria are principally composed Of
an albuminoid substance, called micro
proteine, and that all the albuminoids are
destroyed, or rendered inert by coagulation,
when exposed to the oxidizing action of
ozone. 1t is true that corrosive sublimate
and other antiseptics have the power to
destroy the germs in a similar manner, but
they have the disadvantage of being destruc-
tive to the higher organism 1t is wished to
save as well as to the lower which it is desir-
ed to kill.
1t is difficult to resist the conclusion that
ozone is natures great disinfectant. Nor
nally the air of the country districts lin
healthy situations) contains Of ozone about
one part of Az. 900 of its weight or one part
in 100000 by volume. This small quantity is
sufficient to destroy germs. The quantity
varies with temperature and the electric
conditions OF the atmosphere, and it has
been found by numerous scientific investi-
gators that it. is absent at the times and
places in which cholera and malarieus fever
do their deadliest work. Ozone reappears
when the epidemic ceases, and it is consid-
cred as established that when in excess of
the above stated proportion there is no cpl
demic. That the same Is true OF other dis
eases caused by bacteria may be reasoned
from analogy, though it cannot be said to be
proven yet.
Experiments by the French chemist,
Charles Marchand, show that the substance
called peroxide of hydrogen contains oxy-
gen in its condensed state-that is, ozone.
The inference is that when the peroxide is
brought into contact with q diseased sur
face, either of the external SKIN or the
mucous membranes, the contained ozone
coagulates the albuminous matter of the
secretions, destroying the pus and also the
bacteria, and that the ozone then returns to
the state of ordinary oxygen. It is found
that when normal oxygen Is thus used in
com animation with water 1t produces no SIM
liar action on the albuminoids and has no
| cleansing effects upon the unhealthy secre-
| tiOns of the infected surfaces,
If this statement of the case be approx
mately correct the possibilities of ozone as q
by microgerms are SO enormous as to be in
calculable. The chemists already are able
| to produce ozone, If not in such quantity as
may may be e desired or to prevent Its molecules
oxygen soon after having been formed. 1t
would be vastly more convenient If the lat
ter difficulty were overcome. as then the
oZone could be caught and retained in suita-
BILE vehicles for use when wanted and ap-
piled at will to the treatment OF diseased
surfaces on which the bacteria by millions
havoc upon the human organism. But grant
ing that this permanence is not yet possible
without the admixture with substances it is
highly desirable to let alone, there is still
for the relief Of human suffering and the
prolonging Of human life. It would revolu.
tio1ize the & theory as well as practice Of
since the days OF Hippocrates and Galen has
not placed in the hands of the doctors the
power to cure q common cold. Still less can
they remove hay fever, asthma bronchitis
pneumonia, Group, diphtheria, or pulmonary
tuberculosis. Yet half the human race in
civilized countries die of these diseases and
their cognates. For the last three winters
the doctors confess themselves unable to
prevent or cure It. Surely they should
gladly hail any remedy that would help
prove that they are real friends to Door
humanity. What do they think of ozone,
and what do they know about it!