ORIGINAL WORK. 
ANTISEPTIC POWER OF FORMALIN. 
A series of experiments was made to determine the amount of for- 
malin necessary to restrain the development of bacteria and molds in 
stable manure, garden earth, etc. For this purpose nutrient broth 
was placed in sterile flasks and formalin added in proportion of 1 to 
7,000 down to 1 to 500. The broth was then inoculated with the various 
materials, kept at room temperature, and observed for fourteen days. 
Table No. 1 . — Nutrient bouillon containing various precentages of formalin contaminated 
by the addition of garden earth; kept at room temperature '{37.2 per cent formic 
aldehyde). 
Dilution. 
Growth appeared on — 
Second day. 
Third day. 
Fourth day. 
Seventh day. 
1 to 7,000 
Cloudy; mold on 
bottom. 
do 
1 to 6,000 
1 to 5,000 
do 
1 to 4,000 
Mold on bottom .. 
do 
Mold 
1 to 3.000 
1 to 2,000 
do 
1 to 1,000 
Mold on bottom. 
1 to 500 
1 
Table No, 2. — Nutrient bouillon containing various percentages of formalin contaminated, 
by the addition- of stable manure; kept at room temperature {37.2 per cent formic 
aldehyde). 
Dilution. 
Growth appeared on — 
Second day. 
Third day. 
Fourth day. 
Seventh day. 
1 to 7,000 
Cloudy 
Mold on bottom . . 
1 
1 
1 to 6,000 
do 
do 
1 to 5,000 
do 
do 
1 to 4,000 
Cloudy; mold on 
bottom. 
Mold on bottom.. 
1 to 3,000 
1 to 2 000 
Mold on bottom.. 
1 to 1,000 
Mold on bottom. 
1 to 500 
Table No. 3. — Nutrient bouillon containing various percentages of formalin contaminated 
by the addition of bits of hay; kept at room temperature '{37.2 per cent formic 
aldeyde). 
Dilution. 
Growth appeared on— 
Second day. 
Third day. 
Fourth day. 
Seventh day. 
1 to 7 000 
Cloudy; surface 
mold, 
rlo 
1 to 6 000 
1 to 5 000 
do 
1 to 4 000 
Surface 'mold . 
Cloudy 
1 to 3,000 
Mold on bottom . . 
1 to 2,000 
Surface mold 
1 to 1,000 . 
Mold on bottom . . 
1 to 500 
1 
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