1896 THE MICROSCOPE. 101 



Spores of bacilli require three hours' exposure at a 

 temperature of 284° Fahr. 



Tlie most competent authorities appear to believe 

 that heat for less than half an hour at a temperature be- 

 low boiling point has little influence upon the majority 

 of the disease-producing micro-organisms. 



The question so far discussed is the influence of anti- 

 septics upon micro-organisms, and not upon the poison- 

 ous alkaloids known as "ptomaines," which, being gen- 

 erated by the microbes, are very often — if not always — 

 the direct cause of disease. While germicides may de- 

 stroy micro-organic life, nothing, except sufficient heat 

 for a lengthened period, is at all likely to nullify the dis- 

 ease-creating power of the ptomaines. It should be 

 clearly understood, however, that the filtration of water 

 through a filter that cannot be properly cleaned, and the 

 charging of water with oxygen, or carbonic acid — 

 both very good things in their way — are useless as far 

 as ridding the water of disease-producing germs of pto- 

 maines is concerned. Let it be remembered that it is 

 these ptomaines which produce typhoid fever. 



Mr. Meillere of Paris has recently recommended the 

 following mixture, as being a true antiseptic and also a 

 pleasant deodorizer. 



i^inc sulphate i pound 



Sulphuric acid 35-70 drops 



Essence of mirbane 15 drops 



Indigo to color 



Mr. Meillere appears to think that this mixture will 

 satisfy both the scientists and the laity, the confidence of 

 the latter in an antiseptic being dependent upon the pre- 

 sence of a goodly supply of nasty smell, a desideratum 

 which peroxide of hydrogen does not possess. Mr. Meil- 

 lere's microbe-destroyer being highly poisonous is not 

 of course, intended for internal consumption, but for 

 use in sick rooms, etc. — Pojjular Science. 



