654 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



Pure Charcoal, such as tinners use, and not such as comes 

 with ashes from our stoves, is a great absorber of gases. A cubic 

 inch of good charcoal will absorb nine times its volume of oxygen 

 and ninety cubic inches of ammonia. For this reason and its 

 affinity for carbonic acid gas, it is a most valuable preventive 

 and curative on the farm. It is a sure cure for hoven, given to 

 the animal pulverized, an ounce at a time every fifteen minutes 

 until relief comes. Because of its absorbing carbonic acid gas 

 so readily it is invaluable for feeding to pigs and hogs that are 

 highly fed. It is thus both a disinfectant and preventive of 

 disease. 



Chloride of Zinc. This is a liquid, and poisonous. It is 

 usually called Burnett's fluid, after Sir William Burnett. It con- 

 tains about 35 per cent of the chloride, and it has peculiar value 

 in coagulating albumen, and absorbing ammonia, and sulphuretted 

 hydrogen. One part of the chloride to three hundred parts of 

 water instantly destroys infusorial life, checks decomposition, 

 and its effect in preventing the appearance of animalcules and 

 fungi will be apparent for forty days or more. It has special 

 value as a disinfectant of faecal matter. It has no power as a 

 disinfectant of the atmosphere, hence it is not appreciated by 

 the masses. Diluted with ten times its bulk of water, it may 

 be used to sprinkle floors, to cleanse mangers, racks, and some 

 parts of harness or stable furniture, which may need disinfect- 

 ing. Blankets and the like should not come in contact with it, 

 as it is too corrosive for that kind of fabrics. 



Chloride of Lime. This is a general disinfectant, and de- 

 pends mainly for its virtue on the chlorine, yet the alkaline 

 substance has virtue also. This with an addition of muriatic 

 acid disengages hypochlorous acid and makes an excellent aerial 

 disinfectant. A solution of chloride of lime in the proportion 

 of one pound to two gallons of water makes a valuable wash 

 for mangers, racks, woodwork, etc.., but they should first be well 

 cleaned with a wash of copperas water. 



Chlorine. Chlorine is given off in small quantity from 

 chloride of lime, when moistened with water or dilute sulphuric 

 acid. It is a powerful disinfectant, and is placed foremost as a 



