134 On Ozone. 



further noticed that when we get a high ozonic reaction over 

 any extended period, that influenza has frequently been 

 prevalent, and that a continued easterly wind, when ozone 

 is always at its ebb here, is marked by a lowering of the tone 

 in the system, indicating, perhaps, tha.t a moderate amount 

 of ozone is requisite to fully vitalize the blood. A systematic 

 and continued course of comparison between the ozonic 

 reaction and the prevalence of certain diseases, and especially 

 the changes in such diseases, would, I think, be of good 

 value. The meteorologist and experimenter should co- 

 operate with hospital sui'geons and physicians, and with the 

 health officers of towns ; the deductions that could be made 

 after some years, perhaps months, of such co-operation could 

 not fail to add much to our knowledge of the courses of 

 disease, and perhaps to their prevention. 



The power of ozone as a disinfectant and deodorizer is 

 greater than that of any known body, and many plans are 

 now proposed for ozonizing the air of hospitals and other 

 places of like kind. The slow evaporation of water pro- 

 duces ozone in very small quantities ; hence, the methods of 

 adding aqueous evaporation to ventilation schemes is highly 

 beneficial. But a larger supply would be necessary to effect 

 the required purposes in some hospital and as^dum wards, 

 and therefore the mode of ozonizing air by the decomposi- 

 tion o± ether would be the best. 



I have been quite surprised at the efiect of evaporating 

 ether in ozonizing ail', and of the powerful deodorizing 

 action it produces. Dr. Day informs me that, in cases of 

 necrosis, by the occasional sprinkling of a few drops of ether on 

 the bandages, the di-eadful stench which attends this bone 

 disease is entirely obviated ; and I believe a room could be 

 ozonized to any extent by occasionally diffusing a few drops 

 of ether by means of one of the perfumed jets, or by a fluid 

 pulverizer. 



To show the effect of sulphuric ether in producing ozone, 

 I will just put a strip of Schonbein's test into a beaker, and 

 then drop in a drop or two of ether. The pa,per has the full 

 reaction in a few minutes. Appended to this paper are a series 

 of observations extending over a period of about five years, 

 namely, from March 1858, to December 1868. The results 

 are given so as co show — 



1st. The* relation, if any, there may exist between the 

 electric and ozonic condition of the air. 

 "2nd. The amount of ozone registered at Melboure, as 



