DISEASES OF CATTLE 41 



paring solutions warm water should be used and care taken to see 

 that all is dissolved before applying the solution. A 2 per cent so- 

 lution of cresol is regarded as being a more efficient disinfectant 

 than a 5 per cent solution of carbolic acid and should be applied in 

 the same way. 



Briefly the advantages of cresol are: (1) A 2 per cent solution 

 of cresol is as efficient -as a 5 per cent solution of carbolic acid. (2) It 

 it not interfered with by albuminous substances. (3) It is cheaper 

 than carbolic acid. (4) It does not destroy metals or fabrics in a 2 

 per cent solution. (5) It is more effective than carbolic acid for 

 destroying spores of bacteria, such as anthrax. 



The main drawback to the use of cresol is that it is not readily 

 soluble in water, hence may be used in too weak solution unless 

 great care is taken in the preparation of the solution. 



COMPOUND SOLUTION OF CRESOL. 



This preparation, known as liquor cresolis compositus, United 

 States Pharmacopoeia, is recognized as official by the last edition of 

 the United States Pharmacopoeia, and is a mixture of equal parts of 

 cresol (U. S. P.) with a linseed-oil-potash soap. The mixture is a 

 thick, dark, amber-colored fluid which mixes readily with water in 

 all proportions to form a clear soapy solution. A very efficient dis- 

 infectant may be made from the commercial cresols or liquid car- 

 bolic acids of known strength by mixing these with the soap de- 

 scribed in the United States Pharmacopoeia under the heading 

 Liquor cresolis compositus. When other than United States Phar- 

 macopoeia cresol is used a sufficient excess must be added to insure 

 50 per cent of actual cresylic acid in the mixture. Compound solu- 

 tion of cresol is recommended for use as a general disinfectant in a 

 3 to 4 per cent solution in water. In this strength it will accomplish 

 the same results as a 1^ to 2 per cent solution of cresol and may be 

 applied in the same manner as a 5 per cent solution of carbolic 

 acid. It may be said in favor of the compound solution of cresol 

 that it possesses all the advantages of cresol, and in addition is far 

 more readily soluble. It is, however, somewhat more expensive than 

 cresol, owing to a stronger solution being required; this is in great 

 measure compensated for by its ready solubility. 



CHLORINATED LIME (CHLORID OP LIME). 



This substance is prepared by exposing slaked lime to the ac- 

 tion of chlorin gas. It is a white powder which gives off a disagree- 

 able odor of chlorin, and decomposes rapidly upon exposure to air. 

 It can not be depended upon unless kept in hermetically sealed 

 containers. It is prepared for use in the general disinfection of 

 cars, pens, or refuse by mixing 6 ounces with a gallon of water. 

 This is applied liberally, and infectious excreta must be mixed thor- 

 oughly with the solution to insure disinfection. Chlorinated lime, is 

 a powerful deodorant and is valuable for use in foul-smelling cess- 

 pools and similar places. As a disinfectant, chlorinated lime pos- 

 sesses no advantage over formaldehyde, carbolic acid, cresol, etc. It 

 has, moreover, certain disadvantages, chief among which are uncer- 

 tainty of strength and destructiveness to metals and fabrics. 



