DISINFECTION AND STERILIZATION. 181 



From Wood Alcohol. A number of lamps have been 

 devised, all very much on the same principle, though 

 varying somewhat in mechanical construction, which 

 bring about the incomplete oxidation of methyl-alcohol 

 by passing the vapors mixed with air over the incan- 

 descent metal. Although disinfection can be carried 

 out by the best of these lamps, in our experience none 

 of them up to the present time are satisfactory or eco- 

 nomical. They may be very useful as deodorizers in 

 the sick-room or other places. 



In spite of present failures, it is, however, probable 

 that in the future this method may become practicable. 



From Formochloral by the Trillat System. This sys- 

 tem consists in heating, under three atmospheres of 

 pressure, a solution of formaldehyde gas in water 

 mixed with 30 per cent, of calcium chloride, known 

 as " forrnochloral," to a temperature of 135 C. 

 (255 F.). It is claimed for this method of pro- 

 ducing the gas from formochloral that the polymeri- 

 zation of the formaldehyde is prevented, which would 

 otherwise take place if a solution of formaldehyde were 

 evaporated under ordinary conditions, and that thereby 

 the whole of the formaldehyde is obtained in the gas- 

 eous state. The addition of any neutral salt aids the 

 process, it is said, but calcium chloride is the best. 

 The results with this apparatus have been satisfactory, 

 but not more so than by other methods. The appa- 

 ratus is expensive and heavy. 



From Formalin by the New York Sanitary Construction 

 Company's System. This system consists in heating 

 the ordinary commercial formalin to a temperature of 

 about 1000 F. in an incandescent copper coil or 

 chamber, and allowing the vapors to pass off freely. 



