The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-09-03
4 Nry, ANTIsEpTIC PAINT.

Consul Thomas II. Norton, writing
from Chemnitz, says that in the
warfare which is being waged so
persistently against tuberculosis in
Germany, increased attention is be-
ing devoted to paints and washes
which may be applied to walls, etc,
and which possess in Il greater or
lesser degree the power of destroy
ing germ life. He gives the follow
ing example:
In Il recent number of the publ
cations Of the German health office,
report appears with very full de-
tails regarding the tests applied TO
the new pigment called vitralin, a
highly lustrous paint which can be
applied to surfaces with the same
ease as ordinary paints, with basis
of white lead, or zinc white. Its
chief value is for disinfecting, and
it is prepared and sold more speci-
hcally for use in rooms, etc, where
it is desired to combat pathogenic
germs. In this respect it seems to
be far in advance of all Of the or
dinary substances applied to walls,
containing lime or lead compounds.
The Importance of such an agent,
in connection with modern sanitary
appliances for destroying the mi
crobes of disease, led the health
office to make somewhat exhaustive
tests of the germicidal properties
of vitrain under varying conditions.
The results may be briefly sum-
married. as follows:
When in contact with a vitralin
coating, the bacilli of tuberculosis
Gas found in saliva) are completely
destroyed in 3 days. Diphtheria
bacilla require hours, typhoid
bacilli S hours, and those of pus
tstaphylococci and streptococcD
from to IS hours. On the con-
trary, no lethal effect could be OBJ
served upon the spores of anthrax,
even when the contact lasted 80
days, although a distinctly retard-
ing influence upon the development
of the spores was noticed. Con-
troll experiments carried on stimuli
taneously with surfaces covered
with ordinary oil colors, Whitcwash,
etc, showed either no germicidal
power or much less degree of
efficacy.
Direct sunlight renders the lethal
action much more rapid than when
it is carried on in diffused daylight
the material upon which the coat
ing is applied exercises no appre-
ciable effect. The same results
hn nic
spread over glass. porcelain, brick,
and wood. The disinfectant prop
crty remains for considerable time
in the coating of paint, although
lfter the lapse OF year it was
found to be distinctly weaker--i. e.,
Il longer time was required to bring
about complete destruction of bac-
terra.
The Investigator came to the con-
clusion that the specific disinfectant
property Of vitralin results from the
oxidation of the linseGd oil which
forms an important constituent OF
this paint, as OF most paints. Fur
jhCr, this oxidation is dependent
upon the presence of certain de-
gree OF moisture, and, naturally, Of
oxygen; and warmth as well as
ii-l- is an important factor in
favOrinE the formation of tl.c ac-
tive germicidal agent. This prop
crty OF }itraiin is likewise unaf-
fertod ~ prolonged exposure to
roWsrfli antiseptic agents, such as
corrosive suhlmate, formalir, kir-
Hol-sulphuric acid, etc.
The conclusion of the officers of
the Imperial Health Office is that
viralin furnishes a highly valuable
addition to the weapons employed
in combating bacterial disease. and
that ii can be most adyantageously
employed in all rooms, etc, where
germ life is liberated. consumptiyes'
sanatoriu. wards for infectious dis
eases, and the like.
Attention is called to the fact
that the presence of such a wall
coating as vitralin does not neces-
Sarily SupCrScdo the use of the GUS
tomary di@inlectiOn methods now
legally obligatory. There is, how
ever, Il distinct advantage in having
a continuous destruction of disease
germs maintained, whenever they
come in contact with the walls of
an apartment during its temporary
occupancy by a person affected by
ar infectious disease.
HnV-,s rCIlySo