340 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



to it, and althougli formalin has arisen as a very strong competitor, yet sulphur 

 has not been wholly displaced. 



Sulphur fumes are obtained by the burning of sulphur rolls or brimstone which 

 may be bought at any drug store at a very low price. The dry fumes do not 

 possess much virtue as a germicide, but in connection with suthcient moisture, 

 they become very active. In the absence of spores, the anthrax bacilli were killed 

 in thirty minutes, but in the presence of spores there was no direct appreciable 

 action. Very favorable reports are recorded, however, with such pathogenic 

 germs as glanders, typhoid fever, cholera, diphtheria, tuberculosis and others; these 

 results have been borne out by experience in practical disinfection. 



Whitewash (Calcium Hydroxide).— Whitewash that is so freqtiently used about 

 houses, barns and stables is recognized throtigh experience to be a great aid as a 

 purifier. It cannot be said to be a strong germicidal agent nor can it be relied 

 upon to accomplish the purpose in hand when it is used alone. Sternberg lias 

 killed the germs of typhoid fever in a solution containing one to forty of calcium 

 oxide — that is, lime before the water is added. One part of lime to eighty parts of 

 water failed. Spores of anthrax and other .spore-forming species were not killed by 

 two hours exposure to the milk of lime containing twenty per cent of calcium 

 ovide. Jager has applied whitewash to Avails, using silk threads soaked in cul- 

 tures of A^arious pathogenic germs for testing. The sporeless varietj^ of anthrax, 

 the germ of glanders and several other pathogenic germs were killed after twenty- 

 four hours by a single application, but the tubercle bacillus was not killed by three 

 successive applications. 



Mr. Rigterink, who carried on a series of experiments in this laboratory to de- 

 termine whether whitewash possesses any disinfecting or germicidal properties, has 

 arrived at some very interesting results Avhich are well worthy of mention. His 

 conculsion is as follows: "Whitewash prevented the growth of bacillus anthracis. 

 bacillus of hog cholera, staphylococcus pyogenes aureus, bacillus typhi abdominalis, 

 where the whiteAvash was brought in direct contact with the germs. WhiteAA'ash 

 did not prevent the growth of the spore form of bacillus anthracis." 



"Whitewash should alAvays be applied while it is fresh and hot to be effective." 



Chloride of Lime. — (Bleaching Powder, Calcium Hypochlorite.) — This material is 

 usually found upon the market in sealed packages, and is labeled "chloride of 

 lime." Its value is in the available chlorine it contains. It is an excellent dis- 

 infectant, and also acts as a deodorizer. Typhoid fever germs are killed quickly, 

 and even the resistant spores of anthrax are destroyed by its influence. 



In applying to to floors or to the ground, it is more economical to suspend it in 

 water, for it is not soluble, and then sweep it around with a broom. In the dis- 

 infection of stools, the dry substance may be placed upon them to the amount of 

 about one-half to one per cent. It may also be tised in disinfecting the hands by 

 forming a paste over the surface of them. 



Salicylic Acid. — This acid is widely known for its preservative qualities and for 

 its important role in many anti-ferments sold on the market. It is a white 

 crystaline substance in its pure state and is easily obtained at any drug store. As a 

 germicide it does not take a A^ery high place when compared with the others that 

 haA-e been discussed. Besides, it is more expensive than the others mentioned. Its 

 promiscuous use as a preserA^ative and in the form of an anti-ferment cannot be 

 too severely condemned when the article preserved is intended for food con- 

 sumption. It may be a difficult matter to define the limits of a poison upon the 

 human system, yet there is sufficient evidence to indicate the possible injiu-ies that 

 may result from its use. A French commission reported that its prolonged use, 

 even in very samll amounts, is dangerous, especially to aged people. 



Boracic Acid. — This acid is a weak germicide and a preserA'ative. Its poisonous 

 properties are not so distinctly marked as those of salicylic acid, and yet it cannot 

 be regarded, in the quantities used as a preservative, as a very suitable substance 

 to take into the system. Sternberg says that ptis cocci are not killed by it in a 

 saturated solution when exposed for two hours. HoweA'er, AA-hen strong antiseptics 

 or preserA-atiA"es cannot be used, boracic acid may be employed to adA^antage and 

 without danger. 



HOW TO DISINFECT. 



When an attempt is made to eradicate the germs of a disease by means of dis- 

 infection, there are several points to be considered, viz.: The object to be dis- 

 infected, the disinfectant to be u.sed, the cost of the disinfectant and the time con- 

 sumed in carrying out the operation. What has been stated in the foregoing pages 



