202 ACTION OF COAL-TAR PRODUCTS, 



by creolin. Of the three cresols, ortho-, meta-, and paracresol, the 

 second was found by Frankel to be most active. This author states 

 that the addition of sulphuric acid adds greatly to its germicidal 

 power. A four-per-cent solution, containing equal parts of cresol 

 and H 2 S0 4 , killed anthrax spores in less than twenty-four hours. In 

 Behring's experiments a solution containing ten per cent of each killed 

 anthrax spores in eighty minutes, and five per cent of each in one 

 hundred minutes, while an eighteen-per-cent solution of sulphuric 

 acid alone did not kill them in twenty four hours. In the experi- 

 ments of Jager a two-per-cent solution destroyed the tubercle bacillus 

 in cultures and in sputum. As a result of his experiments Behring 

 concludes that cresol has no advantage over carbolic acid as a ger- 

 micide for the destruction of spores. Tested upon Staphylococcus 

 aureus, Streptococcus erysipelatos, and Bacillus pyocyanus, Frankel 

 found that a solution of 0. 3 per cent destroyed these microorganisms 

 in five minutes, while a two-per-cent solution of carbolic acid re- 

 quired fifteen minutes' contact to accomplish the same result. 



Trikresol (Schering) has been tested, with favorable results, by 

 several bacteriologists. According to Hammerl it is about twice as 

 active a germicide as carbolic acid. 



Diaphtherin (oxychinaseptol) has considerable antiseptic power, 

 as shown by the experiments of Rohrer and others. Two to four 

 drops of a one-per-cent solution was found to prevent the develop- 

 ment of test organisms (Staphylococcus pyogenes aureus and Bacillus 

 anthracis) in twelve cubic centimetres of bouillon. Stable (1893) 

 also finds that as an antiseptic it is far superior to carbolic acid or lysol, 

 and that it has the advantage of being non-toxic. Tested upon an- 

 thrax spores it was found to be comparatively inactive as a germicide. 

 A fifteen-per-cent solution destroyed anthrax spores in three days. 



Disinfektol. This is a coal-tar product similar to creolin which 

 has been recommended in Germany for disinfecting purposes. It is 

 an oily, dark-brown fluid having a specific gravity of 1.086. It forms 

 an emulsion with water, which has a slightly alkaline reaction. It 

 has been tested upon typhoid stools by Uffelmann and by Beselin. 

 The last-named author gives the following summary of the results 

 obtained : An emulsion of five per cent of disinf ektol equals in value, 

 for the disinfection of the liquid discharges of typhoid patients, 12.5 

 per cent of creolin, thirty-three per Cent of hydrochloric acid, five per 

 cent of carbolic acid, 1 : 500 of mercuric chloride. 



Ether. Anthrax spores may germinate after being immersed in 

 sulphuric ether for eight days (Koch). The tubercle bacillus is de- 

 stroyed by ten minutes' exposure to the action of ether (Yersin). 



Essential Oils. Chamberlain has made an extended series of 

 experiments to determine the antiseptic power of the vapor of vola- 



