'2S0 ' ^^- TSUKAMOTO, 



;.". These observations of the action of the alcohols upon microbes 

 lead to the conclusion that the common microbes of putrefaction are 

 killed by 0.5 "/o allylic, 2"/o iimylic, or 20 ^'/o niethylic or ethylic 

 alcohol (but probably not the spores'), if these substances are jjermitted 

 to act for 24 hours in absence of any nourishing materials ; further, 

 that in hio-h dihition the higher alcohols ai-e better food for the microbes 

 than niethylic alcohol, but as the dilution lessens, niethylic alcohol 

 proves a better nutrient thtin tlie higher alcohol, the latter then show- 

 ing poisonous action. 



Furthermore, all ni}" experiments on ditferent organisms go to 

 prove that ethylic alcohol is a stronger poison than niethylic alc<jhol. 

 although Dujardin-Beaumetz and Andigé (/. c.) have asserted the 

 contrary, at least for higher animals. ]\Iy results, moreover, agree 

 well with those of Gibbs and Iveichert (/. c). who compared the action 

 of these alcohols upon the higher animals. Ft is further to be c<)n- 

 cluded that the normal and iso-propylic alcohols behave ne:irly ;dike, 

 and that of the three butylie a[colu)ls the normal is the most 

 poisonotis, and the tertiary the least. Allylic alcohol is not only 

 much more poisonous than the corresponding pro])ylic alcohol but 

 also more so than amyJic aleoliol. The toxic action of the allylic 

 nlcohol is evidently soniewlait dilferent IVoni that of the saturated 

 aleohols. whose toxical power generalh increases with the number 

 of carbon atoms in their molecule. According !<.> Meissner' allylic 

 alcohol acts 50 times more strongly than propylic. According to 



1. Kucli has found tluit eveu a uuicli higher coucuutratiou would uot kill oortaiu 

 spores. 



2. Meissner observes : '• Allylic alcohol damages the circulatory system, enlarging the 

 blood vessels and paralysing heart-action. Allylic alcohol lias none of the narcotic action of 



the alcohols in the saturated series. Other important differences Ijetween allylic and other 



alcohols are that, when inhaled, it attacks the mucous membrane, causes great loss of protein 

 matters, and acts .50 </«(t's .s7;oH//^r than propylic alcohol." (Chem. Oentralb. 1891, II 715). 



