Disinfecting Powers of Increased Temperatures. 119 
truth to assert, that there is a lamentable deficiency. It has unfor- 
tunately happened, that the phenomena of contagion have generally 
been investigated, at times when the quarantine laws have been un- 
der the deliberation of Parliament; and this with a view to supply 
evidence, which, however, honest and sincere, has been collected 
from observers, on both sides, who were under the influence of pre- 
conceived opinions. But it is not at such seasons, or in such a spirit, 
that so difficult and momentous an inquiry should be instituted. It 
must be begun, and pursued, in that dispassionate temper, which 
leaves the mind at liberty to examine phenomena with patience 
and accuracy; and to reason upon them with no other purpose, than 
that of deducing incontrovertible conclusions :—conclusions upon 
which, and upon which alone, rules of practice, of the greatest bene- 
fit to mankind, may be founded, as the final issue and reward of the 
investigation. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPARATUS. 
The apparatus employed in the process of disinfection is so sim- 
ple, that a representation of it can only be required by those who are 
not conversant with the application of steam as a source of heat. The 
object, in this instance, is to place articles of clothing, &c. which 
are intended to be disinfected, in a steady temperature, above 200° 
Fahrenheit, for any required length of time, without, however, allow- 
ing the steam to come in contact with the substances so exposed. 
This is effected by two vessels of copper, or of tinned iron, on the 
innermost of which the letter B stands in the sketch. The latter 
vessel is set within a larger one of similar shape, upon the edge of 
which it rests by a rim, which is united to the larger vessel by solder. 
There is, therefore, a cavity between the two vessels, shown by the 
letters DD, for containing the steam. The bottom of the outer ves- 
sel is a little dished or sloped downwards, and to the central part is 
soldered a short pipe for admitting steam and returning water; the 
space, on the centre of which the letter B is placed, is the recepta- 
cle for the articles, which are to be heated. To avoid the waste of 
heat through the sides of the outer vessel, it is packed all round, as 
shown at CC, with any non-conducting substance, such as hemp, 
bands of straw, or rolls of flannel. ‘To prevent these from being 
displaced, they may be surrounded by barrel staves secured by hoops 
of wood or metal. Over the top of the apparatus a wooden cover 
is applied, which being rabbeted along the middle, as shown by the 
