594 
ON VETERINARY HYGIENE. 
as a disinfectant. Likewise M. Ledoyen has laid a claim before 
Parliament, as being the discoverer of a disinfectant fluid. In re- 
ference to the latter, in Bell's Pharmaceutical Journal for last 
month (September) is the following : — 
It — the report of the referees, Dr. Southwood Smith, Mr. Grainger, and 
Mr. Toynbee — “might have been summed up in a few words to the following 
effect : — 
“ We have made numerous experiments with the view of determining the 
effects of the liquid called Ledoyen' s Disinfecting Fluid , which is represented 
to possess the properties, 
1st. Of disinfecting water-closets, night-soil, and all foetid animal sub- 
stances and gases ; 
2dly. Of disinfecting sailors suffering from fever, ships at sea and under 
quarantine, and patients suffering from infectious disorders and wounds ; 
3dly. Of disinfecting hospital wards of miasma ; 
4thly. Of preserving dead bodies, or parts of the body, for the purpose of 
dissection ; and 
5thly. Of completely preventing the disease in potatoes. 
The results of our experiments have shewn, that the disinfecting fluid 
readily effects the decomposition of sulphuretted hydrogen when brought in 
contact with that gas ; that it has no influence on phosphurretted hydrogen, 
and other noxious gases ; and that it possesses little or no antiseptic pro- 
perties, and is therefore inapplicable for the preservation of animal substances 
from undergoing decomposition. We have obtained no evidence to shew the 
effect in destroying or decomposing miasma, or preventing the spread of 
infectious disease, nor has any evidence been given or obtained sufficient to 
prove that the fluid has any effect in preventing the disease in potatoes. 
Having thus failed to verify the representations of the discoverers on the 
most important points, we proceeded to have an analysis of the fluid made, 
and find that it consists merely of a solution of nitrate of lead, in the propor- 
tion of one drachm of the salt to a fluid ounce of water.” 
From The John Bull for September 4th, we learn that, 
“ The advantages which Mr. Ellerman offers to the public are — 
1. The immediate and permanent disinfection of animal and vegetable 
matter, by decomposing the sulphuretted hydrogen and coagulating the 
albumen, thus preventing the escape of the poisonous exhalations arising 
from privies, drains, sewers, slaughter-houses, knackers’-yards, farm-yards, 
stables, dung-heaps, &c. 
2. The purification and salubrification of towns : thus perfecting the ven- 
tilation system , and meeting the views of Government by improving the 
health of towns in England, as in the bill prepared and presented by Viscount 
Morpeth, Lord J. Russell, and Sir Geo. Grey. 
3. The manufacture of azotized manure from the disinfected animal and 
