380. On Chemical Disinfectants. 



Hence we have here, as before observed, a third beautiful 

 confirmation of the correctness, numerical as well as expe- 

 rimental, of the present analysis. For 



Weight of chlorine = 383.815 



That of soda . =341.185 



Total = 725.000 = equal to the 

 weight of the solid contents in the liquid ; in which the bulk 

 of the chlorine gas to that of the water is as 16 to 1 exactly. 



It may, perhaps, appear to the members of the Royal Society 

 that I have attached rather too much importance to this sub- 

 ject by carrying my analytical inquiries to such a length : but 

 when it is considered that the individual to whose ingenuity we 

 are indebted for the application of the liquid examined (an 

 application which we may boldly predict will, in a short time, 

 acquire great popularity, while its value will be generally ac- 

 knowledged) sent it forth to the world without one word of 

 illustration or explanation as to the physical and chemical 

 characters of that agent, — nay, coupled it with erroneous 

 notions respecting its composition and chemical nature,- — I 

 hope to find an excuse for my prolixity in supplying those 

 deficiencies, and thus counteracting the mischief they are al- 

 ready working in this country^ by threatening, at this moment, 

 to put an end to the discovery altogether, owing to the mis- 

 takes promulgated respecting it. One short example will 

 better illustrate my position than any argument 1 might em- 

 ploy for that purpose. 



The valuable properties of Labarraque's liquid having, 

 through the means of the press, become extensively known, 

 and those properties having been ascribed, by the same press, 

 to a supposed chloride of oxide of sodium dissolved in water, 

 demands have been sent, from various parts of the country and 

 the metropolis, to Mr. Garden, an operative chemist (whom I 

 have employed to prepare several gallons of the liquid for my 

 use, and on whose accuracy I can depend), for large quantities 

 of the solid contents of the liquid, as more conveniently 

 transportable. What the result of the trials must be, which 

 will be made with these solid contents, it is easy to foresee, 

 when we consider that, by the experiments detailed in this 



