Disinfecting Po'wers of increased Temperatures. 29 



not beyond the truth to assert, that there is a lamentable defi- 

 ciency. It has unfortunately happened, that the phaenomena of 

 contagion have generally been investigated, at times when the 

 quarantine laws have been under the deliberation of Parlia- 

 ment; and this with a view to supply evidence, which, however 

 honest and sincere, has been collected from observers, on 

 both sides, who were under the influence of pre- conceived 

 opinions. But it is not at such seasons, or in such a spirit, that 

 so difficult and momentous an inquiry should be instituted. 

 It must be begun, and pursued, in that dispassionate temper, 

 which leaves the mind at liberty to examine phaenomena with 

 patience and accuracy ; and to reason upon them with no other 

 purpose, than that of deducing incontrovertible conclusions; 

 — conclusions upon which, and upon which alone, rules of 

 •practice., of the greatest benefit to mankind, may be founded, 

 as the final issue and reward of the investigation. 



Description of the Apparatus. 



The apparatus employed in the process of disinfection is 

 so simple, that a representation of it can only be required by 

 those who are not conversant with the application of steam as 

 a source of heat. The object, in this instance, is to place 

 articles of clothing, &c. which are intended to be disinfected, 

 in a steady temperature:, above 200° Fahrenheit, for any re- 

 quired length of time, without, however, allowing the steam 

 to come into contact with the substances so exposed. This is 

 efl'ected by two vessels of copper, or of tinned iron, on the 

 innermost of which the letter B stands in the sketch. The 

 latter vessel is set within a larger one of similar shape, upon 

 the edge of which it rests by a rim, which is united to the 

 larger vessel by solder. There is, therefore, a cavity between 

 the two vessels, shown by the letters DD, for containing the 

 steam. The bottom of the outer vessel is a litde dished or 

 sloped downwards, and to the central part is soldered a short 

 pipe for admitting steam and returning water; the space, on 

 the centre of which the letter B is placed, is the receptacle for 

 the articles, which are to be heated. To avoid the waste of 

 heat through the sides of the outer vessel, it is packed all 

 round, as shown at CC, with any non-conducting substance, 

 such as hemp, bands of straw, or rolls of flannel. To prevent 

 these from being displaced, they may be surrounded by bairel- 

 staves secured by hoops of wood or metal. Over the toj) of 

 the apparatus a wooden cover is applied, which being rab- 

 beted along the middle, as shown by the sketch, admits either 

 of one-half or the whole of the cover being removed at plea- 

 sure. From this cover, towards the riglit, a pipe A pro- 

 ceeds 



