and Propagation of contaghus Typhus . 291 



placed on a stove*: sulphuric acid is then to be poured 

 over. 



Sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) CO grammes, or two ounces. 



When the rooms are inhabited, thet.e fumigations must be 

 made very slowly, and by small portions. Into a capful* we 

 must put two or three pinches of salt, and pour in, successively, 

 some drops of sulphuric acid. This must be repeated at least 

 four or five times in the course of the day. 



Disinfecting flasks are prepared by putting into a large flask 

 120 grammes (four ounces) of muriatic acid, seven grammes (two 

 drachms) of black oxide of manganese, two grammes (half a 

 drachm) of nitric acid (common aqua-fortis). The flask must 

 then be closed with its ground stopper, in order to open it oc- 

 casionally, when it is necessary to destroy any putrid miasmata 

 diffused through the atmosphere. 



2. For sulphurous fumigations, a mixture is to be made of 

 equal parts of sidphur or flowers of sulphur and nitrate of potash 

 in powder ; and we divide this mixture into small packets of half 

 a gramme (nine grains) each, which are to be thrown, when 

 wanted, on a charcoal stove. 



3. The nitric fumigations are made in a large glass vessel or 

 a shallow crucible, in which we ))ut from 15 to 20 grammes 

 (about four drachms) of concentrated sulphuric acid. It is to 

 be placed on a sand-bath, which is to be slightly heated, and a 

 little nitrate of potash, in coarse powder, is to be thrown into it 

 from time to time. This salt is slowly decomposed : there is 

 an acid gas extricated, which slowly diffuses itself through the 

 atmosphere ; and we may nndtiply those small apparatus in dif- 

 ferent parts of a sick-room without incommoding it. 



4. With respect to the purification of bedding, bed-clothes, 

 &c. Sjc. sulphuroas fumigations are best. The evaporation of 

 vinegar, its projection upon live coals, as well as the combustion 

 of various aromatic substances so commonly employed, caimot 

 be considered as a means of disinfection. All these substances 

 may mask the smell which is exhaled from the secretions of a 

 patient, but will not destroy the contagious and deleterious prin- 

 ciple which supports and propagates the disease. 



When an individual is suspected of currying about with him 

 the germ of contagious typhus, he ought to submit in a naked 

 state to the fumigation No. 2, bathe, wash and rub himself, for 

 the deleterious miasmata may adhere to the surface of his body. 

 He ought to change his clothes, and not to use those which he 



* The application of heat bavin>; no otlicr effect than tliat of producing 

 a more coiiipkto flccompobition of the sea salt in the same time, the very 

 siencler obj;ct of ocononiy whit h results lias nut appeared in general to 

 couipcnbiUc for the embarrassment of a luating apparatui. 



T 2 " lias 



