MECHANISM OF DEATH 



349 



aureus was measured with different concentrations of 

 hydrochloric, acetic and butyric acid. The data are 

 summarized in Table 108. 



Fig. 39. — The death rates of Micrococcus pyogenes by increasing concentra- 

 tions of 3 different acids. 



An important conclusion is evident from these data, 

 namely, that two disinfectants may, at one concentration, 

 have the same disinfecting power while at other con- 

 centrations, they may differ widely, owing to a different 

 concentration exponent n. The extrapolation of the 

 data of Table 108 gives the curves shown in Fig. 39 

 where the ordinates indicate death rates, i.e., the 

 intensity of the acid as a disinfectant. The concentra- 



