CHAPTER XI 



GERMICIDES AND ANTISEPTICS 



THE substances which destroy the vitality of 

 microbes are called germicides or disinfectants ; 

 while those which simply retard or hinder the 

 growth of microbes are generally spoken of as 

 antiseptics. It must be borne in mind that this is 

 only a conventional classification or division, for a 

 germicide may become an antiseptic by simply 

 reducing its strength; and, conversely, an anti- 

 septic (as a rule) may become a germicide by in- 

 creasing its strength. 



Among the more common salts Mr. 0. T. King- 

 zett 1 has proved that the chlorides, nitrates, and 

 sulphates of the alkalis exhibit but slight antiseptic 

 and germicidal effects, and those of the alkaline 

 earths are not much better. The same salts of 

 manganese, zinc, tin, iron, lead, and aluminium are 

 all of more or less pronounced value. As a rule 

 the chlorides are to be preferred. The same salts 

 of copper and mercury are comparatively most 

 effective; the nitrate of mercury is, however, not 

 so reliable as the chloride, which is, according to 



1 Journ. Soc. Chem. Industry, vols. vi. and vii. 



