U> THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



into the pavement-drains. They can be obtained at the depot, 5fl 

 The Exchange, Southwark. 



Such disinfectors are not new, but the above is the simplest. A 

 patent automatic apparatus of a similar kind was introduced some lit 

 tie time ago by Mr. Spencer. It is also worked by the handle of the 

 closet, and fixed on the wall above the seat, but it is too dependent 

 upon a complicated action of wires and cranks its cost is, moreover, 

 thirty shillings. Similar contrivances are sold, adaptable for the earth- 

 closets now in use. Whether it be true or not that the partisans of 

 the earth-closet first drew attention to the disinfection of the excreta, 

 I do not know, but at all events they were not far behind. I have 

 already given an example of these as applied to the earth or ash closet. 

 As a matter of course, they are chiefly powdered disinfectants. Mr. 

 Bannehr, in his improved ash-closet, uses a simple carbonaceous pow- 

 der, chiefly as an absorbing medium. 



Nothing could be more wearisome than wading through the his- 

 tory of disinfectants, and yet an occasional smile would be sure to 

 light up the way. Who would propose to burn incense to the God of 

 Stinks at various times throughout the day, in the shape of patent pas- 

 tils, composed chiefly of charcoal, sulphur, and nitrate of potass ? Or 

 who could be brought to look, Hindoo-fashion, on his patrimonial open 

 drain or sewer as a river Ganges, and with religious punctuality set 

 adrift upon the water there a sacred vessel which would admit a cer- 

 tain portion of such water, and also containing a phosphuret which 

 would decompose in contact with the water, the gas and flame thus 

 evolved being understood to neutralize the evaporating poison of Siva, 

 the destroyer ? And yet men have paid for leave to rivet such absurd- 

 ities upon us, and the cry is, " Still they come." Since the time of M 

 Legras, who, in 1849, claimed to discover and patented not less than 

 twelve disinfectants (three liquids and nine powders), what have 

 hu' r c ,ehoHers not had to endure ? 



Apsjft from the many simpler disinfectants, such as earth, ashes, 

 charcoal, peat, salt, sulphur, gypsum, alum, vinegai', and tar-water, 

 etc., suitable for the coarser purposes of a farm, the disinfectants for 

 the house now in commerce may be reckoned on the fingers of one 

 hand. I have already given a general indication of the action of each, 

 and will only add that these useful agents have now been brought to 

 such a state of perfection, that the person who chooses to make up his 

 own mixtures, puts himself in the position of an ague-patient, who, 

 ignoring the labors of chemistry, prefers the powdered Peruvian bark 

 to the sulphate of quinine. 



The disinfectant used in a household ought certainly to be a non- 

 poisonous one. Fortunately, or unfortunately, there is not any choice, 

 for the only one of this description is chloralum, now adopted by the 

 Board of Trade. This is the popular name bestowed upon it by its in- 

 ventor, Prof. Gamgee. It contains 1,500 grains of hydrated chloride 



