214 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



24 hours in a solution of 2 per cent, of carbolic acid, and dry 

 them in the air, to secure their preservation. It is probable that 

 in a short time the blood, intestines, and other parts of these 

 animals will be, by means of carbolic acid, converted into manure, 

 and imported into this country. In England, carbolic acid is used 

 for keeping anatomical subjects, and the preservation of all ani- 

 mal matter. Carbolic acid is also utilized in preventing the de- 

 composition of the preparations of gelatine and albumen, used in 

 spinning, dyeing, and calico printing." 



PERMANGANATE OF POTASH. 



Dr. Beranger-Feraud, of the French navy, after trying wood 

 charcoal, chlorine, chloride of lime, carbolic acid, and protosul- 

 phate of iron in deodorizing the bilge-water of ships, comes to 

 the conclusion that permanganate of potassa far exceeds them all 

 in rapidity of action and thoroughness of effect, and fays; "I' 

 made use of a solution of permanganate of potash, of the strength 

 of half an ounce of crystals to a quart of water. One ounce and 

 a half of this solution, which has a fine crimson color, added to a 

 pint of foul bilge- water, effectually removed all bad odor in 3 min- 

 utes, with a change of color to a dirty grayish-brown. 



"The purifying action of permanganate of potassa is so re- 

 markable that its success in the disinfection of putrid matters of 

 every kind may safely be assumed. I have derived the greatest 

 advantage from its use for many other sanitary purposes besides 

 those just mentioned. It not only effectually destroys the foul 

 odors arising from suppurations, and from putrefying and fascal 

 matters, but it acts likewise on many other odorous substances. I 

 will cite a curious fact in confirmation of this. Having one day 

 inadvertently imbued my hands with a concentrated solution of 

 carbolic acid, I could not rid myself of the penetrating and offen- 

 sive smell. Repeated washings with soap, followed by applica- 

 tions of vinegar, cliloride of lime, and ammonia, failed to remove 

 the odor. Being on the point of attending a consultation to which 

 I was very reluctant to carry so nasty a smell, I was in desp:iir. 

 The idea occurred to dip my fingers in permanganate solution. 

 The first application caused a notable diminution of the carbolic 

 odor ; after the third, it had entirely gone." — Med. Press and 

 Circular. 



DRY-EARTH DISINFECTION. BY FREDERIC LENTE, M.D. 



" My visit to the asylum for the insane, or ' Jamaica Lunatic 

 Asylum,' in Kingston, affords me an opportunity to illustrate the 

 excellent effects of the ' dry-earth system ' of sewage, and to give 

 positive proof of these results even when employed in compara- 

 tively large institutions. This system is destined soon to attract 

 a large share of attention throughout the world from pliN'sicians, 

 and from sanitarians generally; and I feel that the time a)id space 



