On Disinfectants, 99 



Amongst antiseptics, or i^reventers of putrefaction, prepared fronx 

 coal tar, McDougall's and Tomliusou's Disinfectants may be named. 



The Application of Disinfectants. 



Under this liead we have to consider the disposal of animals which 

 have died from the Plague, or have been slaughtered on account of it ; 

 the disinfection of cowsheds ; the disposal of the maniu'e of infected 

 animals ; the disinfection of pastures, agricultural implements, and 

 harness. Chlorine, the most powerful destroyer of animal matter, 

 cannot be used in sheds where animals are kept, and manganic and 

 permanganic salts, or Condy's disinfectants, cannot, for obvious reasons, 

 be employed in disinfecting manure-heaps and bulky materials. For 

 all the purposes for which a farmer or dairyman may require to have 

 recourse to disinfectants, his choice of materials may well be confined 

 to chloride of lime, quick lime, and earth, to which may j^erhaps be 

 added fumigation with sulphur and chlorine. In applying disinfectants 

 like chloride of lime, many persons are immindful of the fact that all 

 disinfectants must bo used in quantity proportionate to the amount of 

 matter or surface to be disinfected ; a mere sprinkling will not do. One 

 other general observation : soap or soda, plenty of water, a copious supply 

 of fresh air, are the most important disinfectants on which to rely for 

 the purifying of sheds ; for although certain artificial disinfectants 

 are necessary for the perfect destruction of the infectious matter, 

 yet the use of these should always be preceded by the free use of soft 

 soap or soda-ash and water, and be followed up by fully ventilating 

 the place two or three days before putting healthy stock again into the 

 premises. 



Burial of Cattle. — If animals have died of the disease, where there 

 is a convenient place of bm'ial immediately adjoining the premises 

 where the death has taken place, the carcase should be buried five feet 

 deep, and covered with six inches of quick lime, or, still better, jjeat- 

 charcoal : the spot must not be near a well or other source of water- 

 supi^ly. If there be no convenient place for burial in the neighbour- 

 hood, the carcase should be removed from the premises, and recourse 

 must be had to disinfectants, and the most available would be chloride 

 of lime. For one animal, about 4 lbs. or 5 lbs. of chloride of lime 

 will suffice, which should be mixed with a little water, until it has the 

 consistence of cream, and then combined with 3 pailsful of water and 

 stirred thoroughly with a stick or iron spoon, adding the remaining 

 water. The carcase should be thoroughly mopped over with this 

 mixture, a portion of which should be pom'ed into the mouth and 

 nostrils (followed by a stopping of tow), and a further portion into the 

 rectum and vagina ; these to be plugged in the same manner. This 

 is in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee of Privy 

 Council, in cases where burial cannot take place immediately. 



In and around large towns, where no convenience for bm-ial exists, 

 the carcase is best disposed of by boiling it down in large coppers by 

 high-pressure steam, which will disorganise and completely disinfect 

 the flesh, entrails, and even the bones ; the fat would be available, and 

 the flesh, could be used for manuring purposes. The hides, horns, 



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