1885.] 



Studies of Disinfectants by New Methods. 



263 



within 1 per cent, the least amount of the disinfectant which has the 

 effect of destroying the germ life. 



The order of activity seems to be as follows : — Parvoline, acridine, 

 collidine, pyridine, lutidine, picoline. 



Here also the effect of the bases at the higher temperature is very 

 evident and marked; T15 per cent, of lutidine at 155° failed to 

 disinfect, for growth was evident and vigorous by the sixth day ; but 

 0'5 per cent, acting for twenty-four hours at 35*5° disinfected perfectly. 

 Similarly, 0*1 per cent, of acridine disinfected perfectly at 35' 5°, but 

 not at the lower temperature. 



It was probable enough that the empyreumatic products of tobacco, 

 consisting to a considerable degree of members of the pyridine 

 series, would also be disinfectant. The smoke from an ordinary 

 pipeful of common shag tobacco was pulled through a few c.c. of 

 sterilised water. In this tobacco-water threads infected with the 

 bacterium were soaked for twenty-fours, and afterwards submitted to 

 cultivation, but no growth resulted. 



It may not be rash to infer that the cavity of the smoker's mouth 

 during the act of smoking, is likely to have a disinfecting action on 

 any bacteria which may at that time gain access. 



Alkaloids. — Experiments were made on certain of the alkaloids by 

 the " thread " method. 



The exact manner in which the alkaloids were dissolved, &c, was 

 as follows : — Brucine and strychnine were respectively converted into 

 chlorides and the neutral salt dissolved in 20 per cent, alcohol so as to 

 make a 2 per cent, solution. 



Sulphate of atropine was dissolved in 20 per cent, alcohol. 

 Quinine sulphate was in one experiment dissolved in 20 per cent, 

 alcohol with the addition of a sufficient quantity of hydric sulphate 

 to ensure solution ; but in another experiment the acid was omitted, 

 a saturated solution of the quinine being used instead ; this saturated 

 solution was made by boiling the salt for a few minutes, and then 

 allowing the solution to cool. A solution thus made equals 0"3 per 

 cent, of anhydrous quinine sulphate. 



Morphine was used in the form of acetate. Theine was simply 

 dissolved in the weak alcohol without further preparation. 



The results are given in the table, from which it will be seen that 

 strychnine, brucine, quinine, and atropine all destroyed the bacterium 

 in from 0'25 to 0*5 per cent, strength. The saturated aqueous solu- 

 tion of quinine permitted growth on the sixth day when acting at 

 ordinary temperatures, but when the action took place at the heat 

 of the body then sterilisation was effected. 



It is noteworthy that solutions of morphine acetate of 1 per cent, 

 strength seem to have no disinfecting properties. 



