Improved Method of and apparatus for Preventing the Putrefaction of Bodies, also applicable for Disinfecting Mattresses, Articles of Dress, and the like:
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 26th June, 1897-Accepted, 11th Sept., 1897
Improved Method of and apparatus for Preventing the Putrefaction
of Bodies, also applicable for Disinfecting Mattresses, Articles of
Dress, and the like:
We, FRANCOIS DE RECHTER, Engineer, and GUSTAVE DE RECHTER, Physician,
both of 7 Avenue de la Toison d'Or, Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
In using formaline (an aqueous solution of formic aldehyde of 40 per cent.) for
disinfecting purposes, little attention has hitherto been given to finding a means
by which this substance can be economically utilized, while at the same time
obtaining its maximum effect. To attain this result several desiderata must be
complied with.
I. If a prolonged preservation of bulky and compact substances, liable to putre-
faction such as corpses, is desired, it is essential to proceed by way of gradation,
it being necessary to utilize from the beginning such quantity of disinfectant as
is considered necessary for checking the fermentations which are setting in, and
to then gradually increase the charge so as to finally obtain a complete saturation.
By proceeding in this manner, that is, instead of acting abruptly by causing
a rapid evaporation of a large quantity of the product, apart from the economical
advantage a more reliable, uniform and regular penetration of the antiseptic
vapours, right into the core of the material to be disinfected is ensured. In fact
a too rapid tanning of the outer surface of the material is avoided, said tanning
forming an obstacle to the penetration of the vapours into the innermost parts of
the body to be preserved. The supply of the antiseptic substance therefore must.
be made adjustable.
II. If a rapid penetration of the vapours into a porous mass to be disinfected
(such as articles of dress, mattresses or the like) is desired, it is necessary in order
to facilitate such penetration that the air contained in the space to be disinfected
be rarefied. It may on the other hand, also be useful to combine the application
of the two above stated principles.
III. As the maximum effect of the disinfecting vapours corresponds to a fixed
temperature, it is advantageous to attain that the atmosphere within the apparatus
be raised and maintained at such given temperature, hence the necessity of a
device by which heating and cooling can be regulated.
IV. It is necessary from an economical point of view in order to avoid losses
that the apparatus be made air-tight.
V. The surface of evaporation must be the largest possible, to ensure the exhaus-
tion of the whole quantity of the disinfecting substance supplied from the magazine,
the reserved quantity contained in the latter must be protected against evapora-
tion in order to prevent it being impoverished.
V. It is advantageous to set up a circulation of the atmosphere within the
apparatus, likewise for the economical purpose of exhausting the product
subjected to the vaporization,

page_text: VII. As the disinfecting vapours possess a greater efficiency when freed from
the water with which they are mixed; it is necessary that the atmosphere of the
apparatus be dried.
VIII. Finally to protect the operators against the irritating action of the formal
vapours, at the moment of opening the apparatus, it is necessary that these vapours
be neutralized in the space, with which the disinfected articles are placed
(disinfecting chamber) every means of communication between the space and the
evaporation chamber having been first cut off.
The subject of our invention is the practical realization of means by which
economically and systematically the maximum effect of sterilization by formic
aldehyde in an aqueous solution, or by any other analogous liquid and volatile
substance, capable of serving for the disinfection or smoking of organic substances,
can be obtained and regulated at will.
For this purpose our apparatus consists, as indicated by way of example, in
Figs. 1 & 2, of two distinct chambers A and B perfectly air-tight, but communi-
cating with each other by conduits C and C of comparatively large dimensions.
The first of these chambers, termed the disinfecting or smoking chamber serves
for exposing organic or other bodies to the sterilizing vapours. The second forms
the evaporation chamber in which the atmosphere of the apparatus is charged with
the disinfecting products. The chamber A may receive any form to suit the kind
of bodies or articles to be subjected to the action of the sterilizing atmosphere.
The support S placed in the interior will also be of a shape to best suit the bodies
to be treated. It may be movable or stationary as desired. This chamber is formed
of a wooden box lined internally with sheet metal M or any other substance im-
pervious to the sterilizing vapours (it may however also be entirely metallic) and
double jacketted (or be entirely of glass or any other material tightly enclosing
the disinfecting product. In the example shown in Fig. 1 glass windows are
placed in the walls of the said box with air-tight joints such as india-rubber
bands J, so that the course of the operation can be inspected and the proceeding
of the effects obtained. The obturating lid of the box is provided with similar
joints so as to obtain a perfectly tight closure under the action of binding screws.
A thermometer T placed in the interior of the apparatus permits of reading from
the outside the degree of temperature maintained in the interior, further a vacuum-
gauge Windicates the pressure of the interior atmosphere.
The desiccation of the gaseous mass spread out in the apparatus, is obtained
therein by means of a basket P (see Figs. 1 & 5) containing chloride of calcium
or quicklime. This basket P is inserted into an open worked sheath G terminating
at its lower part in a receiver R collecting the condensed liquid, which is discharged
at the outside through a cock H at its upper part. This sheath terminates in a
tightly closing stopper U.
Slightly before the chamber A is opened to extracting therefrom the disinfected
bodies, the communication between the two chambers A and B is closed by means
of shutters Vaud V1 (see Figs. 3 and 4), and the basket with its stopper U is
replaced in the chamber A by the apparatus shown in Fig. 6. This apparatus
serving to neutralize the irritating action of the sterilizing product, is composed
of a perforated tube Y fixed underneath a plate Z analogous to the stopper U,
it is surmounted by a closed receiver K containing the neutralizing liquid; such as
ammonia. A cock arranged at the base of the receiver K regulates the discharge
of the liquid. The liquid then impregnating any porous substance such as cotton
or lineu wicks L contained in the said table. Y.
The shutters V and V₁ are displaced upon conduits Cand C by means of a rod
or string N traversing a tight packing and provided with eccentric cams with
shoulders Eaud and by means of the rotation of the rod N exerting pressure
through the shutters V and V1 upon the opening of the conduits C and C, so as to
obtain an hermetic closure of the same when filling and emptying the apparatus
(see particularly Figs. 3 and 4).
By means of a suction pump D a partial vacuum is provided within the

page_text: chamber A, necessary for certain operations, especially in cases of articles of
clothing, bedding and the like being treated.
The chamber B (see Figs. I, II, and III) serves especially for the disengaging
of the sterilizing vapours, the same forms a certain kind of evaporating vessel
with large surface. At its upper part is fixed the receiver or feed magazine d,
containing the disinfecting liquid. This magazine d is constructed like a. lubri-
cating apparatus with visible drop-feed such as those employed for oiling machines;
such an apparatus being represented by way of example in Fig. VII. It must
however be tightly closeable and provided with an air tube immersed in the liquid
so as to form a vessel having a constant level. This effect can, in ordinary cases
be obtained by means of a tube t (see Figs. 2 & 3) traversing the cover of the
receiver and entering right into the liquid mass, or by a channel (see. Fig. .VII)
provided along the rod a which serves to regulate the supply from the magazine.d,
But when the disinfection must be done within the chamber A, under a certain
depression, the magazine must then receive in addition a supplementary tube
(see Fig. I) terminating above the liquid. The two tubes and are then each
provided with a cocks, s' and connected to the space of the two chambers A and B,
in order not to prejudice the regular supply from the magazine. The action of
these two tubes i and will be easily understood-namely at the time when use
is made of the pump to produce a partial vacuum in the whole apparatus, the
cock s of the tube is turned so as to place the surface of the liquid in communi-
cation with the interior atmosphere, whilst at the same time, in order to avoid
any abrupt action; the cocks of the tube t is closed. After the partial vacuum
has been established, the cocks is placed in its opquing position, whilst the cook s¹
is closed in order to place the constant level magazine under the pressure of the
apparatus.
The sterilizing liquid passes from, the magazine d to the chamber in the form
of visible drops into a collector (see Figs. II, III, VIII, IX and X) containing
ouy inert dividing or distributing material, such as a circular wick or felt. This
collector f preferably of circular section presents longitudinal openings g at dis-
tances apart, against which flat wicks m are helil in position by means of cramps
with binding screws, arranged as shewn in detail in Figs. VIII IX and X. These
wicks m of plaited cotton or other substance, impregnated with the liquid, already
offer to the latter a large evaporating surface, the excess thereof drops upon a row
of wicks n, stretched out upon supports presting upon cups, so that a large contact
surface of the liquid with the atmosphere of the apparatus is provided.
The chamber preferably made of cast iron and containing the evaporator with
its large surface thus formed, is closed by a cover.with tight joints, Fig. I, the
same is moreover capable of being subjected to the influence of heat or cold.
Figs. I, II, and III illustrate by way of example, the use of a gas burner (Bunsen)
heating a liquid e, but there may be employed as a source of heat electricity or
vapours circulating in a coil, the temperature being in all cases automatically
regulated by means of a thermostat of any suitable type.
The arrangements for cooling may likewise vary to suit the requirements for
each operation.
To ensure as complete an exhaustion as possible of the sterilizing product, our
apparatus carries in one of its conduits C or C' (see Figs. I, II, and III) a shaft
provided with fans i which as it is rotated produces a continuous circulation of
the atmosphere from one chamber to the other. This propeller device being stopped
off at the place where it traverses the wall of the conduit C may be operated
by hand, or mechanically or electrically.
Although the apparatus above described, and represented in the drawings, is
more especially applicable for the use of formaline, it may likewise serve for em-
ploying other similar liquids, not only for disinfection proper, but also for smoking
food stuffs, use being then more especially made of creosote.
The shape and constructional arrangements of the several constituent parts as
also the constituent materials may evidently vary according to circumstances.

page_text: Thus, by way of example, we illustrate in Figs. XI and XII an arrangement
where the two chambers A and B above described are joining and adjacent to a
third chamber B serving to contain the neutralizing agent. The two chambers B
and B are completely independent of each other, whilst a communication can be
established now between the chamber A and the chamber B, now between A and B¹.
This arrangement will be convenient especially for apparatus of frequent daily
use.
:
We also foresee in our system, the combination of a series of disinfection-cham-
bers. A supplied from one and the same evaporation-chamber B, the conduits, the
fan shafts and the shutters being then constructed accordingly.
The relative arrangement of the several mechanisms or parts constituting our
apparatus may evidently vary according to circumstances, thus, for instance, the
source of heat may be provided in the chamber A as well as in the chamber B and
these chambers may be double jacketted for licating by steam. In like maner
the supports p of the large-surface evaporator may receive any desired shape, they
may be simply fixed in the apparatus between baffle plates or may be capable of
rotary or reciprocating movement controlled by any suitable mechanism, in
order to increase the evaporating effect. The wicks or strips of stuff which they
support, may also be replaced by perforated channels, or by wire gauze containing
any distributing or porous, material!
-
1
The whole constructional device may, of course; just as well be permanently
fixed as carried on any vehicle or may even form part of such vehicle.
In cases where a permanent preservation of a body such as a corpse is the object
in view, and where a further opening of the apparatus after its having been
charged with such body, is not required, the chambers A and B may be made into
one single chamber, to which all or a part of the above enumerated appliances are
-fitted:
11
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, wo declare that what
wo claim is :-
t
1. With the object of obtaining a practical utilization of formaline or of any
other analogous substance, for disinfecting and smoking operations, the. combina-
tion of a device allowing of an economical and systematical use of the antiseptic
substance, so as to derive therefrom the highest useful effect, while controlling
the progress of the operations; this device consisting, as hereinbefore described,
of two separate chambers A and B; made perfectly air tight and communicating
with one another, which communication can be cut. off hermetically by means of
shutters V and V1, above described and upon wliich latter a pressure is exerted
by eccentric canis E and E' carried by the rod N. One of these chambers termed
the disinfection chamber, serving for exposing any substances or bodies, to be
autiseptically treated, to the action of sterilizing vapours; which the other termed
the evaporation chamber, and constituting the laboratory or general atmosphere.
of the apparatus, is charged with the sterilizing products, by way of dividing and
distributing the antiseptic liquid over a large evaporating surface.
2. n combination with the 'device above described; and with the object of
obtaining an adjustable supply of the antiseptic substances, the arrangement upon
the evaporating chamber, of a magazine or feed vessel d with so called constant
level, supplying the charge of the active liquid to the above mentioned chamber
in form of visible drops adjustable by means of a micrometric screw, the magazine d
retaining its quality of a vessel with constant level, irrespective of what may be
the internal atmospheric pressure of the disinfecting apparatus, by the arrange-
ment and utilization of tubes and t¹, provided with cocks 's and s, as above
described.
:
3. In combination with the apparatus serving for the practical utilization of

page_text: formaline or any other analogous substance, above claimed, and with the object
of obtaining, by means of a partial vacuum, a more rapid and more intimate pene-
tration of the active elements into the mass of the substances or bodies treated,
the arrangement upon the disinfecting chamber, of a pump of any type, the effect
of which is controlled by a pressure gauge.
4. In combination with the apparatus serving for the practical and economical
application of formaline or other analogous substances, above described, and with
the object of bringing the atmosphere of the apparatus at such a degree of tem-
perature as is suitable for the active elements in order to derive therefrom the
highest possible useful effect, and of maintaining such temperature during the
whole process of operations, the construction and adaptation to this apparatus, of
a heating or cooling device adjustable by hand or automatically, the source of heat
or cold being realized either electrically or by a double jacket or coil in which
a liquid or steam is caused to circulate.
5. In combination with the apparatus serving for the practical and systematical
application of formaline or other analogous substances, and with the object of
obtaining the largest possible evaporating surface for exhausting from the liquid
the largest amount of its active elements, the construction, and arrangement within
the chamber B, of plaited wicks or of any appropriate strips of stuff, or of channels
containing any suitable porous material, so as to divide and distributo the mass
of liquid in order to increase its surface of contact with the interior atmosphere
of the apparatus. These wicks, strips or channels being partly supported, as
described in the body of this specification, by the distributing tube f of the liquid
supplied by the magazine d, and partly spread out upon supports p, simply placed
in the interior of the chamber B, or capable of being rotated or moved to and fro,
such movements being imparted by any suitable mechanism, so as to further
increase the contact of the liquid with the volume of the internal atmosphere of
the apparatus.
6. In combination with the above described apparatus, serving for the practical
disinfection or smoking by formaline or other analogous substances and in view
or producing a continuous circulation of the atmosphere within the apparatus,
from one chamber to the other, with the object of economically deriving the
largest percentage of the active element from the product subjected to the evapora-
tion, the construction and arrangement within one of the conduits establishing
a communication between the chambers, or even in one of the latter; of a propeller
device compelling the atmosphere in contact with the large surface evaporator, to
become constantly renewed in order to be gradually saturated all over the space
of the apparatus.
7. In combination with the above described apparatus for the practical applica-
tion of formaline or other similar substances for sterilizing and smoking purposes,
and with the object of drying the sterilizing atmosphere in order to improve the
action upon the organic or other bodies exposed therein, the combination described
in this specification and comprising the arrangement represented in the accom-
panying drawings, consisting in an open-worked sheath, in which a basket is
located containing chloride of calcium or quick-lime, the water of condensation
being collected in a lower receptacle, whence it is discharged by a waste cock.
8. In combination with the apparatus, described, for the practical application
of formaline or other similar substances and with the object of protecting the
operators from the irritating effect of the active vapours, during the time of filling
and discharging tlie chamber A, the means indicated and consisting in the device
represented in the drawings, namely a perforated tube containing a dividing
material and surmounted with a graduated receiver enclosing the neutralizing
liquid, the discharge of which is regulated by means of an obturator; the tube
being placed in contact with the atmosphere of the apparatus, after the communi-
cation between the two chambers having been closed by the shutters V and V¹.

page_text: The whole substantially as above described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this ofth day of Tuno 1907
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.