The Elbert County tribune., 1912-03-08

Grating renders his instruments free
from the possible presence of bacteria
by boiling, and it is heat which renders
jet of live steam destructive to bac-
terra. Sunlight however. cannot be
considered more than an accessory In
the destruction of bacteria, while the
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 to destroy the organisms of dis
ease.
Chloride of lime {sometimes termed
chlorinated lime) is a well-known dis
infectant, although its value is doubt
less greatly overrated. This may be
due in part to the fact that it is a
powerful deodorant-such drugs on
account of their pungent odor being
popularly believed to have great dis.
injecting power. Being of uncertain
strength and somewhat destructive
to metals, and having a permeating
odor especially Objectionable in a
stable, where milk is produced, chlor-
ide of lime cannot be classed as 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 formalde-
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 in
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
impracticaDle for stable disinfection.
Where, however, stable can be made
almost air tight. and the animals re-
moved, it will be found very service
able. as 1t 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. A five per cent.
solution of carbolic acid is sometimes
used as a disinfectant, 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. 1t is a
product of coal-tar distillation and
consists for the most part of practi
cally inert oils and cresylic acid. Its
disinfecting power depends upon the
amount of cresylic acid which~it con.
tains. as wei as the relative percent.
age of hydrocarbon oils. Owing to
it's 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
bolic acid" etc., in two per cent so
luton is an efficient disinfectant II
has the disadvantage. however, of be
ing somewhat difficult to dissolve, Sc
in preparing disinfecting 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. it is essential when using
the drug to know the degree of purity
Grades can be purchased under guar
anty to contain 80 to 9S per cent. Of
cresylic acid. Any containing less
than 30 per cent. should be rejected
Compound solution of cresol (liquid
cresolis compositus), now recognized
by the United States Pharmacopoeia
as an official preparation, is com
posed of equal parts of cresol (U. s
P.) and linseed oil-potash soap. 1t is
an efficient disinfectant in four pei
cent. solution and has the advantage
Of mixing readily with water.