37S On Chemical Disinfectants. 



The same results followed when the same quantity of chlorine 

 gas was introduced into a like quantity of the artificial mix- 

 ture of muriate and chlorate of soda mentioned in experi- 

 ment F. 



Now, unless it can be proved by equally clear experiments, 

 that the introduction of chlorine into a solution which con- 

 tains a muriate and a chlorate of soda converts both salts into 

 a chloride of an oxide ; or, in other words, unless it can be 

 shown that an excess of chlorine in such a liquid, holding a 

 muriate and a chlorate of soda in solution, as demonstrated 

 by the preceding analytical and synthetical experiments, de- 

 composes the two salts in question, and setting their acid 

 free, seizes on their oxydized bases to form the pretended 

 chloride of an oxide, the conclusion we must arrive at from 

 the present inquiry is inevitable ; namely, that the disinfecting 

 liquid of soda of Mons. Labarraque is not what he considers 

 it to be, but a mixture of 



Chloride of sodium • . 73,53 grains 

 Chlorate of soda . . 26.47 grains 



100.00 

 with an excess of chlorine. 



Or in 20 oz. avoirdupois of the liquids, 



Chloride of sodium . 533.09 grains 

 Chlorate of soda . 191.91 grains 



with free chlorine equal to 69.30 cubic inches. 



That such must be the constitution of this liquid, is made 

 further manifest by the application of the atomic doctrine to 

 the experimental process followed in preparing it. 



Five atoms of oxygen whichc can only proceed from so 

 many atoms of soda, are required to form chloric acid ; for 

 which purpose they combine with one volume of chlorine. 

 The result is an integrant atom of the acid, which can only 

 combine with one atom of soda to form the chlorate. On the 

 other hand, the five atoms of sodium, deprived of their oxy- 

 gen, combine with as many atoms of chlorine, and form five 

 integrant atoms of chloride of sodium. Unless we have re- 

 course to the decomposition of water, it is impossible that any 

 other combination or arrangement than the one just stated can 

 result from the action of chlorine on soda in this case. 



