190 MICROBES AND THE MICROBE-KILLER. 



The fifth series of experiments were undertaken in 

 order to ascertain the action of Radam's Microbe-Killer 

 on the ptomaines which are produced in the system dur- 

 ing certain infectious diseases. I have isolated the fol- 

 lowing poisonous ptomaines, among others, from urine 

 in certain infectious diseases (see Dr. Griiifiths' papers 

 in the ^^Comptes Rendus de I'Academie des Sciences," 

 Paris, tomes 113-117): 



Scarlatinine (C^H.^NOj is the ptomaine of scarlet 

 fever. Radam's Microbe-Killer destroyed the poisonous 

 properties of this ptomaine. 



Diphtherine (Cj^H^N^Oe) is the ptomaine of diphtheria 

 and is produced in pure cultivations of bacillus diph- 

 therice. Radam's Microbe-Killer destroyed the poisonous 

 properties of this ptomaine. 



Glanders— The ptomaine (Ci^HioNaOe) of glanders is 

 highly poisonous, but Radam's Microbe-Killer rendered 

 it inert. 



Puerperaliyie {Q^Jl^^O^ is the ptomaine of puer- 

 peral fever. It is highly poisonous and produces the 

 death of small animals within twelve hours. Radam's 

 Microbe-Killer rendered it inert. 



Erysipeline (CjjHiaNOa) is the ptomaine of erysipelas. 

 It produces high fever and death within eighteen hours. 

 Radam's Microbe -Killer rendered it inert. 



Influenza — The ptomaine (CgllgNO,) of influenza was 

 isolated from urine by Mr. R. S. Ladell and myself (see 

 **Comptes Rendus de I'Academie des Sciences," Paris, 

 tome 117; and ''Chemical News," vol. 68, p. 294). It 

 was readily destroyed by Radam's Microbe-Killer. 



In the above cases the poisonous properties of each 

 ptomaine were completely destroyed and rendered inert 

 by the action of the fluid known as Radam's Microbe- 

 Killer. After the action of the said fluid on the pto- 

 maines, the characteristic tests failed to prove the 

 .presence of the smallest trace of each ptomaine. There 

 is no doubt that the said fluid neutralizes or destroys 

 some of the most deadly poisons produced during the 

 course of infectious diseases. Hence the reason that it 



