The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-19
CANT FREEZE MICROBES.
\ Temperature Of 102 Centig rade
Fails to Give Them . Fatal Chtii.

London Express
The researches OF Prof. Dewar on iiauid
air are familiar to all who take an interest
In the progress OF scientific research at
large. At recent Royal Society meeting
an interesting communication was made
on behalf Of DIR. A. Macfadyen and Mr.. q
Rowland on the effect of the terriicaIly
low temperature OF liquid air on microbes.
The aim OF the investigators was that Of
ascsrtsining whether the germs could sur
vive cold OF degree ranging from is3 to
192 degrees ccntigrade
IL is OF course. known that many species
OF microbes can survive being packed in
ice. and evcn higher organisms flourish in
the Arctic circle. Indeed. the extremes OF
temperature for low forms OF life are
widely separated. and soft becomes . mat
ter OF practical public interest. as shall
show. to determine where tho limits ef
vitality In this respect are 10 be found.
The low temperature or LIQUID air offered
supreme chance 10 see how microbes
comported themselves under exposure
thereto. and 50 our Investigators seized on
the opportunity presented them.
Exposed for twenty hours TO tho liquid
air temperature. no injury was apparently
sustained by the microbes. But In the re-
cent experiments such germs as those OF
typhoid fever. diphsheria. anthrax, cholera
and other ailments. along with nondisease
producing species, were submitted 20 the
liquid air test for seven days. In addition
10 the excessively low Temperature. I must
add the microbes In this experiment were
subjected TO a tremendous mechanical
strain.
Then came tho question OF tho effects
OF both conditions on the vitality 81 the
germs These results may he summed up
in the word nil. Under the microscopes
they showed no signs OF mechanical In
jary or distortion, and they were as lively
~. n lesA "a n
condition OF vitality-as they were pre-
vious 20 their chilling and cooling expert
ences.
I have referred 20 the public interest
which attaches 10 these investigations
To know the limits Of germ life il an es-
sentini item In the knowledge Of tho san
itarian when he undertakes 20 show how
infectious diseases caused by mterobic
action can be destroyed and prevented
from attacking va.
Il has been long known that we cannot
trust to cold as dsinfecting and germ
killing agency, Cold will kill germ growth
certainly, fact we SEQ illustrated by
every cargo Of Australian mutton that Is
landed at the docks; but IT cannot destroy
the microscopic Hvine things that are -
spanslhic Tor Inducing disease and for
causing decomposition, nutrefaction and
q goodly number ~ other conditions BEN
efeiai and the reverse.
The Investigations have described
confirm fully the sanitary TEACHINGS about
cold. They also emphasize another little
bit OF information-name the difference
between substance tina; really Kills
germs and oae tina, merely "scoiehes'
them.
We're this distinction more clearly ap-
pretended ~ the public we should prob
ably hear less frequently 81 mysterious
outbreaks 81 eplderiics, which probably
owe their origin a. much 90 snefaeient ais.
Infection as 20 any other piecs Of human
negligence.