New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-30
KILLING GERMS IN BOOKS.
DIR. BILLINGS's DISCOVERY OF AN E
EECTINE DISINFECTANT


Charles Lamb, in one Of the Quaintest and
most charming of his essays declares that he
prefers books when they are soiled and
doS-eared; that copy OF Fielding Richard
pleases him better when il bears evidences
OF having been read and re-read-maybe by
some lonely seamstress in her Garret-than in all
the immaculate Wilderness and cleanliness OF a
edition.
The sentiment is a pretty one. and other writ
ers. notably the present Poet Laureate have
confessed to sharing it with Ella. But it must
be a good deal harder nowadays to feel it than
ii was in the days OF Lamb. Science has made
tremendous strides since then. and with each
stride has crushed some sentiment belief
dear to ancestors. Science takes the WELL
thumbed volume forgets all the pathos in IL
and finds instead germs. And most people would
confess that sentiment comes little dear when
it carries typhoid or diphtheria along with IL.
Such at any rate is the opinion OF the au-
thorties OF the New-York Public Library. When
the reservoir is removed from Bryant Park. and
in its place is a splendid library. there Will be
free lending department, well the read
ing-rooms and reference library. Every !nhabi-
tant of New-York OF good character Will Ice able
to borrow books free of charge and the Public
Library authorities have been for some time
considering how the dangers inevitably resulting
from circulating volumes in every part Of the
city may be avoided. Preventive measures are
possible to discover whether every volume lent
would be used by persons free from diseases.
to prophesy where such diseases We're about to
break out. The measures taken must be
receive. and the question resolved itself into an
inquiry to whether a satisfactory disinfect-
ant could Toe found.
For some time Or. John 5. Billings director Of
the library, has been experimenting in order
discover a perfect disnfectant. Last year Mr.
Horton, under DR.. BilnSs's direction conducted
series OF experiments in the latter's laboratory
in Philadelphia y number of old Patent Office
reports were inoculated with a choice assortment
OF bacteria and in a short time the books were
fun OF germs of measles, scarlet fever, small
poN and other diseases
Trials then made of various sern-de-
stroyinS substances, and as a result OF the cX-
periments DR.. Billings says that he has 4 perfect
dsinfectant in the gas formaldehyie. The vol
ume is placed in glass metal box With 4
saucerful of a solution of formalin in water end
left for an hour two. At the end Of that
time the vapor has penetrated into every
particle of the book and not a live germ can be
found
The process will be used in the circulating de-
partment of the New-York Public Library. and
the patrons of the institution may their
minds of any fear that the volumes they borrow
may bring the dreaded germs OF dphtheria
typhoid fever into their houses.
Bibuophiles. too will be glad TO know that
the formaln viii destroy the Croton bug.
sponsible for the ruin Of many fine bindings
in this country. The traditional book worm is
now rarity in America, but the Croton bug has
taken its place. and the collector of lie Gascons
or Groliers has in DR.. Billingss discovery a pre-
ventive OF the ravages that the insects passion
for morocco and calfskin causeA