366 Dr. W. Henry On the Disinfecting Powers qfiricreased 



alarm which has overspread the continent of Europe, and in 

 a less degree extended over this country, in consequence of 

 the devastating effects of a disease {cholera), the contagious 

 nature of which is rendered highly probable, and which, like 

 other contagious diseases, may be presumed to be capable of 

 being conveyed by Jbmites. It is therefore of the greatest im- 

 portance to devise effectual and easily practicable means of 

 extinguishing the first sparks of that distemper which may 

 show themselves in this country, avoiding at the same time 

 greater injury than is necessary to individual interests or to 

 general commercial prosperity. 



The first step which appeared to me desirable, on resum- 

 ing the investigation, was to decide, beyond all doubt, whether 

 raw materials, as well as manufactured goods and articles of 

 clothing, could be exposed without injury to a dry heat 

 approaching 212°. Of raw materials, I took cotton as the 

 one which, from local advantages, I could best submit to the 

 necessary trials ; and I had the benefit of the zealous assistance 

 of a friend* engaged in the spinning branch of that manufac- 

 ture. Raw cotton of ordinary dryness, as recently taken 

 from the bag, was exposed, during two or three hours, to a 

 steady temperature of 180° Fahrenheit, in a vessel heated by 

 steam of common density. It lost, generally, between two and 

 three ounces from the pound. The effect on the staple, as 

 determined by the inspection of persons versed in the article, 

 was apparently such a degree of injury, as to forbid all expec- 

 tation that the cotton could be rendered useful. It was pro- 

 nounced to be rotten, and what is technically called '•fuzzy^ 

 and to be unfit even for those operations which are preparatory 

 to its being spun into yarn. After being left, however, during 

 two or three days, in a room without fire, a great change had 

 taken place in its appearance, and it was found on trial to be 

 as capable of being spun into perfect yarn, as cotton employed 

 in the ordinary manner. On an accurate trial of the twist 

 which had been spun from it, a hank supported fully an equal 

 weight, with a hank of the same fineness spun from cotton 

 fresh from the bag. This fact, established by repeated expe- 

 riments, proves that with the recovery of its hygrometrical 

 moisture, cotton, which has been heated, regains its tenacity, 

 and becomes as fit as ever for being applied to manufacturing 

 purposes. 



Articles of cotton, silk, and wool, after being manufactured, 

 both separately and in a mixed state, into piece goods, 

 for clothing, were next submitted to the same treatment. 



* Peter Ewart,jun. Esq. 



Among 



