202 ACTION OF COAL-TAR PRODUCTS, 
by creolin. Of the three cresols, ortho-, meta-, and paracresol, the 
second was found by Frankel to be most active. This author states 
that the addition of sulphuric acid adds greatly to its germicidal 
power. A four-per-cent solution, containing equal parts of cresol 
and H,SO,, killed anthrax spores in less than twenty-four hours. In 
Behring’s experiments a solution containing ten per cent of each killed 
anthrax spores in eighty minutes, and five per cent of each in one 
hundred minutes, while an eighteen-per-cent solution of sulphuric 
acid alone did not kill them in twenty four hours. In the experi- 
ments of Jager a two-per-cent solution destroyed the tubercle bacillus 
in cultures and in sputum. Asa result of his experiments Behring 
concludes that cresol has no advantage over carbolic acid as a ger- 
micide for the destruction of spores. Tested upon Staphylococcus 
aureus, Streptococcus erysipelatos, and Bacillus pyocyanus, Frankel 
found that a solution of 0.3 per cent destroyed these microdrganisms 
in five minutes, while a two-per-cent solution of carbolic acid re- 
quired fifteen minutes’ contact to accomplish the same result. 
Trikresol (Schering) has been tested, with favorable results, by 
several bacteriologists. According to Hammer! it is about twice as 
active a germicide as carbolic acid. 
Diaphtherin (oxychinaseptol) has considerable antiseptic power, 
as shown by the experiments of Rohrer and others. Two to four 
drops of a one-per-cent solution was found to prevent the develop- 
mentof test organisms (Staphylococcus pyogenes aureus and Bacillus 
anthracis) in twelve cubic centimetres of bouillon. Stahle (1893) 
also finds that as an antiseptic it is far superior to carbolic acid or lysol, 
and that it has the advantage of being non-toxic. Tested upon an- 
thrax spores it was found to be comparatively inactive asa germicide. 
A fifteen-per-cent solution destroyed anthrax spores in three days. 
Disinfektol.—This is a coal-tar product similar to creolin which 
has been recommended in Germany for disinfecting purposes. It is 
an oily, dark-brown fluid having a specific gravity of 1.086. Itforms 
an emulsion with water, which has a slightly alkaline reaction. It 
has been tested upon typhoid stools by Uffelmann and by Beselin. 
The last-named author gives the following summary of the results 
obtained : An emulsion of five per cent of disinfektol equals in value, 
for the disinfection of the liquid discharges of typhoid patients, 12.5 
per cent of creolin, thirty-three per cent of hydrochloric acid, five per 
cent of carbolic acid, 1 :500 of mercuric chloride. 
Ether.—Anthrax spores may germinate after being immersed in 
sulphuric ether for eight days (Koch). The tubercle bacillus is de- 
stroyed by ten minutes’ exposure to the action of ether (Yersin). 
Essential Oils.—Chamberlain has made an extended series of 
experiments to determine the antiseptic power of the vapor of vola- 
