Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-06-05

Grating renders his instruments free
from the possible presence of bacteria
by boiling. and II Is heat which renders
jet OF live steam destructive 10 bac
terra. Sunlight, however, cannot be
considered more than an accessory in
the destruction OF bacteria. while tho
application OF heat in the form OF
steam or fame is seldom possible.
The result is that In the practical
work of disinfection We are dependent
upon certain drugs, which have pow
er 10 destroy the organisms OF dis
ease
Chloride Of lime sometimes termed
chi0rinated lime) is a well-knoWn dis
infectant. although its value is doubt
less gre; fly overrated. This may be
due in pal, to the fact that It is
powerful deodC~ont-such drugs on
account OF their p,ngent odor being
popularity believed TO have great dis
injecting power. Being of uncertain
strength and somewhat destructive
to metals. and having a perneatiag
odor especially Objectionable in E
stable. where milk is produced, chlor-
ice of lime cannot be classed IS the
most desirable of disinfectants. FOR
general disinfecting purposes It may
be mixed with water in the proportion
OF six ounces TO the gallon
An aqueous solution containing ap-
proximately 40 per cent. OF Tornado
hyde and known as formalin has of
recent years become a more or less
popular disinfectant
Formaldehyde is used in either
liquid or gaseous form. In the former
case formalin is mixed with water IL
the proportion Of six ounces to the
gallon, and the resulting solution is
applied directly to surfaces or sub
stances which are to be disinfected
Formaldehyde gas is in most cases
| impracticable for stable disinfection
Where, however. a stable can be made
almost air tight. and the animals re-
moved, II will be found very service
able, as IT penetrates every crevice.
Carbolic acid in its pure form is.
at ordinary temperatures. in the
| shape OF long, white crystals. For con-
venience it is frequently dispensed in
liquid form by the addition OF ten
per cent OF water. \ five per cent.
solution of carbolic acid is sometimes
used as "A disiniectant. but carbolic
acid has the disadvantage OF being ex-
pensive and somewhat difficult to dis
solve.
This substance should not be con-
fused with pure carbolic acid. Il is a
product Of coalta- distillation and
| consists for the most part of practi-
cally inert oils and cresylic acid. Its
dlsinfecting power depends upon the
amount OF cresylic acid which II con-
tains, as vel as the relative percent
age of hydrocarbon oils. Owing to
Its uncertain composition, crude car
bolic acid cannot be classed as one OF
the most desirable disinfectants.
Cresol. commonly termed straw
colored carbolic acid" liquid car
oolic acid" etc, in a two per cent so
luton Is an efficient disinfectant. 1t
has the disadvantage. however, OF be-
ing somewhat difficult to dissolve, so
in preparing diSlnfectlng solution
warm water should be used and care
exercised that the drug is entirely
dissolved. AS the disinfecting power
OF cresol Is dependent upon the
amount OF cresylic acid contained
therein, 1t Is essential when using
the drug to know the degree OF purity
Grades can be purchased under guar
anty to contain 90 to 9S per cent. OF
cresyltc acid. Any containing less
Than 80 per cent should be rejected.
Compound solution of cresol Qiquid
cresolis compositus). now recognized
by the United States Pharmacopoeia
as an official preparation. is com
posed of equal parts of cresol Gu. S
p and hnseed oil-potash soap. It is
an efficient disinfectant in four pei
cent. solution and has the advantage
OF mixing readily with water.