CHEMICAL STERILIZATION AND DISINFECTION 97 



halogen compounds of metals and of hydrochloric acid. It 

 appears probable that this is due to obstruction offered to 

 electroljd:ic dissociation. 



The disinfecting activities of watery solutions of mer- 

 curic nitrate, mercuric sulphate, and mercuric acetate are 

 increased by the moderate addition of sodium chloride. 



In general, acids disinfect according to the degree of their 

 dissociation — i. e., according to the concentration of their 

 hydrogen ions in the solution. 



The bases, potassium, sodium, lithium, and ammonium 

 hydroxide, disinfect according to the degree of their dis- 

 sociation — i. e., corresponding to the concentration of their 

 hydroxjd ions in the solution. 



The disinfecting activity of metallic salts is, in general, 

 less in albuminous fluids than in water. It is probable that 

 this is due to a diminution in the concentration of metallic 

 ions in the solution. 



The reaction between the inorganic salts and albuminous 

 bodies is not selective ; they combine in most instances with 

 any or all protoplasmic bodies present. For this reason 

 the employment of many of the commoner disinfectants 

 in general practice is a matter of doubtful advantage. For 

 example, the disinfection of excreta, sputum, or blood, 

 containing pathogenic organisms, by means of corrosive 

 sublimate, is a procedure of questionable success. The 

 amount of sublimate employed may be entirely used up 

 and rendered inactive as a disinfectant by the ordinary 

 protoplasmic substances present, without having any 

 appreciable effect upon the bacteria which may be in the 

 mass. 



These remarks are introduced in order to guard against 

 the implicit confidence so often placed in the disinfecting 

 7 



