252 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



lime, which it much resembles in its chemical nature and mode of 

 action. 



Dr. Harris, registrar of the New York Board of Health, has 

 written a circular on the subject of disinfectants, and the manner 

 in which they should be used, from which the following are ex- 

 tracts : 



"In this memorandum the words infection and disinfection are 

 employed just as they are commonly understood, as referring to 

 the preventible causes that are concerned in repropagating specific 

 kinds of disease. These causes are : 



" 1. The specific infectious property or substance of any one of 

 the pestilential disorders. 



" 2. The local impurities and moisture of the house and grounds 

 where the outbreaks of disease have occurred, or are liable to 

 occur. 



" 3. The foul exhalations and atmospheric impurities which 

 injure health or help to propagate pestilential epidemics. 



"Experience has proved that it is possible by certain chemical 

 agencies wholly to destroy or prevent the operation of the specific 

 infection or contagion of any disease ; but, to do this, it is neces- 

 sary that precise rules should be observed in applying the disinfect- 

 ants, and, as regards cholera and typhoid fever, it is especially 

 important that the infective discharges from the sick should be 

 disinfected as soon as voided from the body, and that whatever 

 clothing or surfaces may have been soiled by such discharges 

 should be disinfected as soon as practicable. The fact should also 

 be borne in mind, by all persons who have charge of infected 

 things, that the infective property or virus of some diseases, and 

 of cholera especially, is capable of rapid increase in filthy places, 

 and in a foul, damp atmosphere. Therefore, the cleansing and 

 disinfection of such places should, if possible, precede the arrival 

 or outbreak of any such pestilential infection. Every unclean and 

 damp place about dwelling-houses, warehouses, factories, places 

 of assemblage, passenger vessels, railway depots, and hotels, 

 should be made and kept perfectly clean and dry. All drains, 

 privies, and water-closets should be kept as clean as possible, and 

 should be thoroughly purified before cholera comes into the neigh- 

 borhood. Such cleansing and disinfection give the surest protec- 

 tion against all epidemics. 



" Quicklime to absorb moisture and putrid fluids. Use fresh 

 stone lime, finely powdered ; sprinkle it on the place to be dried, 

 and in clamp rooms place a number of plates or pans filled with 

 the lime powder. Whitewash with pure lime. 



" Charcoal Powder to absorb putrid gases. The coal must 

 be dry and fresh, and should be combined with lime ; this com- 

 pound is the ' calx powder,' as sold in the shops. 



" Chloride of Lime to give oft' chlorine, to absorb putrid efflu- 

 via, and to stop putrefaction. Use it as lime is used, and, if in 

 cellars or close rooms the chlorine gas is wanted, pour strong vin- 

 egar or diluted sulphuric acid upon your plates of chloride of 

 lime occasionally, and add more of the chloride. 



"Sulphate of .Iron (Copperas) and Carbolic Acid to disinfect 



