ANOTHER DISINFECTANT. 393 



hypochlorous acid (which is still more effective than chlo- 

 rine itself) act in the opposite way, so do the permanga- 

 nates, such as Oondy's fluid, etc. They supply oxygen in 

 the presence of water. It is curious that opposite actions 

 should produce like results. A disquisition on this and its 

 suggestions would carry me beyond the limits of a note. 



ANOTHER DISINFECTANT. 



THE above-named disinfectants are objectionable on ac- 

 count of their own odors and their corrosive action. Both 

 sulphurous acid and hypochlorous acid (the active principle 

 of the so-called "chloride of lime") have a disagreeable 

 habit of rusting iron and suggesting antique green bronzes 

 by their action on brass ornaments. Under serious condi- 

 tions this should be endured, but in many, cases where the 

 danger is not already developed, the desired end may be 

 attained without these annoyances. 



Sulphate of copper, which is not patented or " brought 

 out" by a limited company, may be bought at its fair 

 retail value of 6d. or less per Ib. (the oil-shop name for it 

 is " blue vitriol"), in crystals, readily soluble in water. 



I have lately used it in the case of a trouble to which 

 English households are too commonly liable, and one that 

 has in many cases done serious mischief. The stoppage of 

 a soil-pipe caused the overflow of a closet, and a consequent 

 saturation of floor boards, that in time would probably 

 have developed danger by nourishing and developing those 

 germs of bacteria, bacilli, etc., which abound in the air, 

 and are ready to increase and multiply wherever their un- 

 savory food abounds. 



By simply mopping the floor with a solution of these 

 green crystals, and allowing it to soak well into the pores of 

 the wood, they cease to become a habitat for such microsco- 

 pic abominations. The copper-salt poisons the poisoners. 



Dr. Burg goes so far as to recommend that building ma- 

 terials, articles of furniture, and clothing, etc., should be 



