Disinfecting Powers of Increased Temperatures. 121 
paste spread on paper, the opening g is to be shut by a cork or plug, 
and the small air-cock opened, to allow the escape of the air confined 
in the space DD. Both halves of the cover being then put into 
their places, the thermometer is to be introduced through the slit. 
When it indicates upwards of 200°, that half of the cover from 
which the pipe A proceeds* is to be removed ; the infected articles 
are to be placed in the receptacle, and the half-cover replaced. 
The fire under the boiler is to be regulated, by the rate at which 
the excess of steam issues from the small air-cock. This excess, if 
found inconvenient .by its escape into the room, may be conveyed 
to the outside by a pipe of the necessary length, screwed upon the 
tapped end of the air-cock. Hot water will require to be occasion- 
ally supplied through the aperture g ; but unless the steam be unne- 
cessarily wasted by too large a fire, this need not be done often; 
as what is condensed in the cavity DD is constantly trickling back 
into the boiler through the pipe FF. , 
The dimensions and shape of the apparatus, and the material of 
which it is made, may be varied according to the extent of the ope- 
rations for which it is intended. For domestic purposes, a common 
tea-kettle, by stopping the spout with a plug, and making the neces- 
sary additions to the lid, will answer perfectly well; and a cheap 
and simple disinfecting vessel resembling B may easily be contrived. 
For large operations, a boiler of sheet-iron, resembling that of a 
steam-engine, will be necessary. If thought expedient, a higher 
temperature than 212° Fahrenheit may easily be obtained in the re- 
ceptacle, by subjecting the steam to a greater pressure than that 
of the atmosphere ; the apparatus being in that case provided with a 
proper safety valve. 
If heated air should be found adequate to the effect, it might be 
employed for ordinary articles, reserving the more costly vehicle, 
steam, for articles which are of great value, and which are easily in- 
jured. 
* The pipe A will be found much more convenient if made in two parts, the part 
attached to the cover being not more than a foot long; its open end being made to 
slip into the longer part, as a few drops of moisture always escape. 
Vou. XXII.—No. 1. 16 
