DESTR UCTION OF BA CTERIA B Y CHEMICALS. 163 



subject when taken internally. Slater and Rideal 1 

 report that a 1 per cent, solution has been taken in 

 considerable quantity without serious results; and tri- 

 oxymethylene has been given in doses up to 90 grains 

 as an intestinal antiseptic. The vapors of formalde- 

 hyde are extremely irritating to the mucous membrane 

 of the eyes, nose, and mouth, causing profuse lachry- 

 mation, coryza, and flow of saliva. Aronson reports 

 that in many of his experiments rabbits and guinea- 

 pigs allowed to remain for twelve and twenty-four 

 hours in rooms which were being disinfected with for- 

 maldehyde gas were found to be perfectly well when 

 the rooms were opened. On autopsy the animals 

 showed no injurious effects of the gas. Others have 

 noticed that animals, such as dogs and cats, which 

 have accidentally been confined for any length of time 

 in rooms undergoing formaldehyde disinfection occa- 

 sionally died from the effects of the gas. Many 

 observers, however, have reported that insects, such as 

 roaches, flies, and bedbugs, are not, as a rule, affected. 

 The result of these observations would seem to indicate 

 that although formaldehyde is comparatively non-toxic 

 to the higher forms of animal life, nevertheless a cer- 

 tain degree of caution should be observed in the use of 

 this agent. 



The results of numerous experiments have shown 

 that in the air, 2.5 per cent, by volume of the aqueous 

 solution, or 1 per cent, by volume of the gas, are suffi- 

 cient to destroy fresh virulent cultures of the common 

 pathogenic bacteria in a few minutes. The researches 

 of Pottevin and Trillat have shown that the germicidal 



i Lancet, April 21, 1894. 



