On Chemical Disinfectants. 375 



subjects of mere controversy, I undertook to settle the question 

 by actual experiments, both analytical and synthetical : using, 

 for that purpose, the disinfecting liquid of soda prepared 

 agreeably to the directions of the French author in the following 

 manner : — 



Twenty fluid ounces of distilled water containing each 437.5 

 grains, were made to dissolve one-fourth of their weight of pure 

 crystallized carbonate of soda, and chlorine gas was passed into 

 tJie liquor to a complete saturation of the latter. 

 . This is the so-called solution of chloride of oxide of sodium 

 of Mons. Labarraque, his commentators, and translators ; and 

 possesses, to an eminent degree, all the disinfecting properties 

 first ascertained by that gentleman. 



This liquid has a specific gravity = 1.064, and contains 

 572.66 cubic inches of chlorine gas. It is of a bright pale 

 yellowish colour, perfectly transparent, smelling moderately of 

 chlorine gas, having a very pungent taste, and producing cough 

 and constriction of the throat when swallowed undiluted. Being 

 put into bottles, immediately after its being prepared, it effer- 

 vesces rapidly for a short time on removing the stopper. This 

 phenomenon is not readily observed during cold weather, and 

 although it be owing to the escape of some of the chlorine gas, 

 with a very minute portion of carbonic gas, that had lurked 

 behind during the operation of preparing the liquid, it does not 

 seem to influence, in any sensible manner, the properties of the 

 fiquid. 



Chemical Composition of the Liquid, 



A. The twenty ounces of liquid just described were evapo- 

 rated to dryness, on a sand-bath, at a temperature often 

 exceeding a little that of boiling water; towards the end, 

 chlorine gas escaped, and continued to do so until almost all 

 moisture had disappeared. The dry residuum weighed 725 

 grains : its appearance was that of a perfectly white salt, amor- 

 phous, granular, each minute grain as distinctly separate from 

 the other as in fine dry sand, neither efflorescent nor sensibly 

 deliquescent. It has a marked taste of muriate of soda, with a 

 peculiar, but shght degree of pungency, reminding one of the 

 taste and smell of chlorine, but quickly vanishing, and leaving 

 behind the simple taste of common salt. 



