ON VETERINARY HYGIENE. 
597 
The next disinfectant of the stable brought to our notice was a 
rough impure sort of sulphate of lime, said to be a product in the 
manufacture of acetic acid, resulting in the decomposition of the 
acetate of lime used for that purpose. Instead of being white like 
gypsum, it had a dark cinder-like appearance, which was said to 
be owing to its having become impregnated with the tar coming 
from the wood (commonly beech) burnt on such occasions. We 
found it very pulverizable, and that its powder was dry and ab- 
sorbent ; we, therefore, deemed it best to sprinkle the flooring of 
the stables with it, the same as we would with so much sand, 
and the result proved very satisfactory. A box, used for sick 
horses, and which had been, from its faulty pavement (being very 
uneven and full of holes), noted for an offensive atmosphere, par- 
ticularly in the morning when the litter was first taken out, was, 
after one pretty copious sprinkling, deprived at once of its offen- 
siveness, nor has it, in the face of subsequent dressings, since re- 
turned. This sulphate of lime, to be procured at the acetic acid 
factories, is extremely cheap — a few shillings will purchase a cart- 
load — and it is, we should say from our limited experience, well 
worth further trial as a purifier of stables. 
In regard to the nitrate of lead — used in solution, one drachm 
to an ounce of water — all we can say at present is, that it most 
assuredly possesses the power of correcting some horrible stenches. 
We took some liquid out of a macerating tub in which the carcass 
of a dead dog had been for some weeks steeping, and, as may 
be imagined, hardly any thing could have exceeded its foefor for 
offensiveness ; and yet the solution of nitrate of lead effectually 
“sweetened” it, or, at all events, destroyed the horrible odour. 
Such is a sketch of what we have read, seen, and done concern- 
ing the disinfecting of stables. Whatever plan or mode may be 
determined on as being the best suited or the most likely to accom- 
plish so desirable an object, one thing appears certain ; and that 
is, that, for the future, when we set about to “ purify” stables, 
cow-houses, dog-kennels, &c. it will not suffice, as hitherto it has 
done, that a proper “ system” of ventilation is established — No ! 
we must get to the root as well as to the branches of this poison- 
bearing tree ; and to the root as well as to the branches must our 
antidotes and purifiers be, in times to come, equally applied. 
VOL. XX. 4 K 
