The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-09-08
CNNHAT TUBERCULOSIS WITH
PAINT.
Germany Finds Vitraiin Powerful
Gem DestrOycr-A Novel Method.


Consul Thomas II. Norton, writing
ron ChemnitZ, says that in the war
eare which is being waged so persist
ently against tuberculosis in Ger
many, increased attention is being de-
voted to paints and washes which
may be applied to walls. etc, and
which possess in greater or lesser
degree the power of destroying germ
life. He gives the following example.
In recent number of the publica-
tons of the German health office,
report appears with very full details
regarding the tests applied to the new
pigment called vtralin, a highly lus-
trous paint which can be applied to
surfaces with the same ease as ordi-
nary paints, with a basis of white
iead and zinc. It's chief value is for
disinrccting, and it Is prepared ana
sold more specifically for use in
rooms, etc., where it Is desired to
combat pathogenic germs. In this re-
spect ii seems to be far in advance
Of all of the ordinary substances ap-
piled 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 Of
fce to make somewhat exhaustive
tests of the germicidal properties Of
vitrolin under varying conditions.
The results may be briefly summar-
ICED as follows:
When in contact with a vitralin
coating the bacilli of tuberculosis Gas
found In saliva) are completely de-
stroyed In three days, Diptheria ba-
cilli require 8 hours, typhoid bacilli
eight hours and those of pus (staphy-
lococci and streptocOcci) from six to
thirteen hours. On the contrary no
lethal effect could be observed upon
the spores OF anthrax, even when the
contact lasted 80 days, although a
distinctly retarding influence upon
The development of the spores was
noticed. Control experiments carried
on simultaneously with surfaces COW
cred with ordinary paint showed eth
er no germicidal power or a much
less degree Of efficacy.
Direct sunlight renders the lethal
action much more rapid than when il
is carried on in diffused daylight. The
material upon which the coating is
applied exercises no appreciable ef-
feet. The same results were secured
when nigment was spread over glass
porcelain, brick and wood. The dis
infectant property remains for a con-
sideraoie time in the coating Of paint
although after a lapse of a yea. i,
vas found to be distinctly weaker:
e., a longer time was required to
Dii"s ooout a Coaupfece OeStruCtlOn OI
bacteria.
The investigator came to the con-
clusion that the specific disinfectan,
property of vitrs.lin results from the
oxidation OF the linseed oil which
forms AN important constituent OF
this paint. as of most paints. Fur
In l., Il
the presence of a certain degree of
moisture, and naturally, of oxygen;
and warmth as well as light is an
important factor in favoring the
formation OF the active germicidal
agent. This property of vitralin i.
likewise unaffected by prolonged ex-
posure to powerful antiseptic agents
such as corrosive sublimate. forma lin
kirsol-sulphuric acid. etc.
The conclusion of the officers of the
imperial health office is that vitral'n
furnishes a highly valuable additi
to the weapons employed in all roofs
etc.. where germs collect and that il
can be most advantageously employed
in all rooms, etc.. where germ life is
liberated. consumptives' sanatoria
wards for infectious diseases. and the
like.
Attention is called to the fact that
the presence OF such wall coating as
vitralin does not necessarily super
sede the use of the customary disin-
fection methods now legally obliga
tory. There is. however. distinct
advantage In having a continuous de-
structiOn OF disease germs maintained
whenever they come in contact with
the walls Of an apartment during its
temporary occupancy by a person af-
fected by an infectious disease.