68 



Scientific Proceedings (iio). 



such material is very small and pseudopodia may form on either 

 side thus tending to mask its presence. Exceptionally the pos- 

 terior end may be made to liquefy but usually the inert pos- 

 terior end compels an Amceba, in order to retrace its path, to turn 

 about. 



3i (1613) 



Concerning the antiseptic action of some aromatic fumes. 

 By David I. Macht and William M. Kunkel. 



[From the Pharmacological Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University.] 



The recent World War was instrumental, in connection with 

 the impetus given to the search for antiseptics and parasiticides, 

 in calling attention to the powerful antiseptics and germicidal 

 properties of various essential oils ; as for instance so well described 

 by Cavel 1 and Frankel 2 . This antiseptic action of volatile oils is 

 undoubtedly responsible for the remarkable medicinal virtues of 

 ancient balsams, especially in relation to the treatment and healing 

 of wounds. An ethnological study of the habits and customs of 

 ancient peoples, especially in the Orient, cannot fail to call atten- 

 tion to the extensive employment of incense, perfumes and fumi- 

 gations among these people. Incense was burned in connection 

 with the religious and sacrificial offerings on the one hand, and 

 for esthetic purposes in private homes on the other. Again, 

 powerfully odoriferous substances are in great vogue in the Orient 

 as perfumes and not only are such drugs applied to clothing but 

 very frequently the orientals fumigate their naked bodies directly 

 with the smoke of aromatic herbs and spices, burned over glowing 

 coals. These circumstances suggested to the authors the possi- 

 bility that such perfumes and fumes may serve a hygienic as well 

 as esthetic purpose by exerting an inhibitory effect on the growth 

 and spread of microorganisms. Accordingly some experiments 

 were undertaken in order to ascertain the value of such an hy- 

 pothesis. 



The authors subjected a number of gums, spices and other 



1 Comp. rend., 1918, clxvi, 827. 



2 Theropmonatofte, June, 1915. 



