152 Dr. Cutbusk on the Formation of 



acid is distructive to animal life, and a most virulent pot- 

 son ? Cyanogene, and its compounds, may be generated in 

 particular places, and, in fact, in the holds of ships. 



It is admitted, I believe very generally, that hydrogen 

 enters into the composition of gazeous effluvia, but with 

 what substances, or in what state of combination is not 

 known ; I mean those effluvia, or miasmata, which produce 

 disease. Hydrogen combines with sulphur, phosphorus, 

 carbon, &;c. but its combination with carburet of azote ap- 

 pears to be the most powerful, and at the same time the 

 most destructive. And if we reason a priori, we may con- 

 clude, that chlorine as a disinfecting gas, which is the most 

 powerful, acts by decomposing such compounds, thereby 

 separating the hydrogen, and changing to the state of hy- 

 drochloric acid. Cyanogene, therefore, may be generated 

 in putrefaction, and be combined with hydrogen. If that 

 compound causes the deleterious miasmata, chlorine 

 must act as we have stated ; but if it be simple cyanogene, 

 it may destroy its virulence by forming with it the chloro- 

 cyanic acid. To prevent its influence, and its generation 

 in sufficient quantity to poison the whole atmosphere of a 

 district of a city, will be to employ freely chlorine gas, and 

 the removal of all putrescent substances of every descrip- 

 tion, and to observe cleanliness in yards, streets, alleys, and 

 bye places. On this subject, as it is one of peculiar impor- 

 tance with every one, who must feel interested in this in- 

 vestigation, I would advise an examination into/«c^5, as they 

 have occurred in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New- York ; 

 and, in particular, I would refer the reader to a very inter- 

 esting pamphlet on the subject of the Yellow Fever by Dr. 

 Samuel Jackson of Philadelphia, which must be conclusive 

 to every candid and impartial mind. The facts deduced 

 by the Doctor were drawn from personal observation, and 

 from official documents, as he was at that time President 

 of the Board of Health. The fact is admitted, that mias- 

 mata of some kind are the cause of yellow fever. For our 

 own part we believe it to be carburet of azote, or some of 

 its combinations, and of these that with hydrogene, from its 

 deleterious character, seems to be the one. This, howev-r 

 er, admits of inv estigation ; on which it must finally rest. 

 We stated that when animal substances were calcined with 

 potash, a cyanide of the alcali was produced. When this 



