356 INORGANIC AGENTS 



burning sulphur is effective for this purpose. The gas is most effective 

 between 60 degrees and 70 degrees F. It should not be used if air tem- 

 perature is below 50 degrees F. The premises containing the gas should 

 be sealed from 4 to 24 hours. Formaldehyde vapor is extremely pungent 

 and irritating to the mucous membranes, causing running of the nose 

 and eyes in those exposed to its influence; but some experimenters have 

 subjected animals to formaldehyde vapor (of disinfectant strength) for 

 hours without causing their death. In Harrington's experiments two 

 rabbits were killed by formaldehyde in the disinfection of a room, and 

 exhibited the following post-mortem appearances: Congestion and hem- 

 orrhage of the buccal mucous membrane; intense bronchitis with hyper- 

 emia, and consolidation of the lung with a purulent and slightly fibrinous 

 exudate. There was also congestion of the abdominal organs, includ- 

 ing the liver, kidneys and spleen. As death may occur, it is certainly 

 unwise to attempt the disinfection of premises with formaldehyde, when 

 inhabited by men or animals. Ammonia neutralizes the local action of 

 formaldehyde solution, and that of the gas. 



The injection of 2 per cent, formalin in glycerin into badly infected 

 and suppurating joints has proved curative in human surgery. From 

 2 to 4 drams are used, after aspiration, and the injection may be re- 

 peated 3 times, a week apart. The joints are immobilized meanwhile. 

 The solution should never be used until it is 24 hours old. 



Internal Action. — Solutions of formaldehyde are intensely irritant. 

 Nausea, vomiting, coma with slow pulse, and djsath have followed its 

 ingestion. The red blood cells are altered in form, and destructive 

 changes have been noted in the liver and kidneys. Formaldehyde es- 

 capes unchanged in the urine. 



Uses. — Internally formalin (§ss.) has proved curative in acute tym- 

 panites of cattle given in a quart of water and followed in an hour by 

 Epsom salt (Healy and Nutter). In septicemia and purpura formalin 

 (3i.) in a quart of sterile water, has been given intravenously by Mc- 

 Clelland with reported success, and is advised by Frost (oi. by the 

 mouth) in capsule or milk, in the treatment of bovine streptococcic 

 mastitis. Formic aldehyde vapor is not injurious to clothing, metals, or 

 other like articles, as is sulphurous anhydride or chlorine gas, and is 

 commonly used in preference to other agents for the gaseous disinfection 

 of premises infected with pathogenic bacteria. Formaldehyde gas may 

 be generated by evaporating formalin in a vessel over a lamp, or other 

 form of heating apparatus, or pouring it upon crystals of potassium per- 

 manganate. 



According to Harrington the evaporation of 110 mils of formalin is 

 sufficient to kill all pathogenic micro-organisms within 2^/^ hours, in 

 1,000 cubic feet air space. Formaldehyde gas may be liberated most 

 economically by mixing 8 oz. of potassium permanganate with 1 pint of 

 formalin in a galvanized iron pail 12 inches deep and 10 inches in diam- 

 eter at the bottom, and 18 inches at the top. The pail should be placed 

 on sand or in water as much heat is generated and great frothing oc- 

 curs. This should be done only in deep tin vessels to avoid the effects 



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