DISINFECTION 



331 



Mineral acids (nitric, hydrochloric, sulphuric), especially 

 concentrated, are all germicides. 



The halogens chlorine, bromine, iodine, and fluorine 

 are, all four, disinfectants, but not used in practice. They 

 are named in their order of power as such. 



A number of separate bodies, such as chloroform and 

 iodoform, have been much advocated as antiseptics. The 

 cost of the former and odour of the latter have, however, 

 greatly militated against their general adoption. 



Chloride of lime is a powerful disinfectant. Professor 

 Sheridan Delepine and Dr. Arthur Ransome have demon- 

 strated its germicidal effect as a solution applied directly to 

 the walls of rooms inhabited by tuberculous patients. 1 It 

 may also be used in solid form for dusting decomposing 

 matter. 



Mercuric chloride (corrosive sublimate) has been an ac- 

 cepted germicide for some time. But the experiments of 

 Behring, Crookshank, and others have proved that the 

 weaker solutions cannot be relied upon. This is, in part, 

 due to the fact that it forms in albuminous liquids an albu- 

 minate of mercury which is inactive. Dilute solutions have 

 the further disadvantage of being unstable. Various au- 

 thorities recommend a solution of 1-500 as a germicide, and 

 much weaker solutions are, of course, antiseptic. An ounce 

 each of corrosive sublimate and hydrochloric acid in three 

 gallons of water makes an efficient disinfectant. 



Potassium permanganate is, of course, the chief substance 

 in Condy's fluid, as zinc chloride is in Burnett's disinfecting 

 fluid. A 5 per cent, of the former and a 2J- per cent, of the 

 latter are germicidal. 



Boracic acid is one of the most useful antiseptics with 

 which to wash sore eyes, or preserve tinned foods or milk. It 

 is not a strong germicide, but an unirritating and effective 

 wash. Many cases of its addition to milk have found their 



1 British Medical Journal, 1895 (February), p. 353. 



