Am.  Jour.  Pharm  \ 
July,  1910.  J 
State  Control  of  Diseases. 
331 
eases  cannot  be  accomplished  without  the  systematic  and  free  use 
of  disinfectants.  This  is  recognized  in  all  legislation  on  the  subject. 
The  Act  of  Assembly  of  April  14,  1903,  however,  took  a  step  in 
advance  in  providing  that  all  schools  and  colleges  in  cities  in  this 
state  shall  be  disinfected  at  intervals  not  exceeding  two  weeks  in 
accordance  with  a  modern  method  and  system  of  disinfection,  such 
method  and  system  to  be  approved  by  the  local  board  of  health  if 
there  be  one,  otherwise  by  the  state  health  authorities. 
Formaldehyde  is  a  powerful  disinfectant,  and  causes  practically 
no  injury  to  delicate  fabrics  or  room  furnishings  and  therefore  is 
the  principal  disinfectant  used  by  the  state. 
In  using  formaldehyde  gas  for  disinfection,  the  air  of  the  room 
should  be  both  warm  and  moist.  The  latter  condition  may  be 
effected  by  suspending  wet  sheets  about  the  room. 
An  effective  and  economical  method  of  generating  this  gas  is  by 
the  addition  of  the  official  (U.S. P.)  solution  of  formaldehyde  to 
potassium  permanganate. 
Eight  (8)  ounces,  by  weight  (one  measure)  of  commercial  potas- 
sium permanganate  crystals  is  required  for  each  pint  of  a  solution  of 
formaldehyde  (at  least  Z7TA  Per  cent.)  in  disinfecting  every  1000 
cubic  feet  of  air  space. 
Briefly,  this  method  may  be  described  as  follows : 
First:  Secure  a  tin,  agate-lined  or  iron  pail  with  a  flaring 
top  which  has  a  capacity  at  least  equal  to  ten  times  the  quantity 
of  disinfectants  to  be  used. 
Second :  Place  the  potassium  permanganate  crystals  in  the  pail 
spreading  them  evenly  over  the  bottom. 
Third :  Set  the  pail  containing  the  crystals  in  a  pan,  metal  wash 
tub  or  boiler  containing  water,  a  brick  or  stove  lid  being  placed 
under  the  pail. 
Fourth :  Pour  the  formaldehyde  solution  from  a  dipper  or  some 
wide-mouthed  vessel  over  the  crystals  of  potassium  permanganate. 
Fifth :  Seal  the  door  of  exit  including  the  key-hole  and  crevices 
about  the  door  knob.  This  must  be  done  quickly  as  80  per  cent,  of 
gas  is  liberated  during  the  first  five  minutes. 
Sixth :  Leave  the  room  closed  for  six  hours. 
But  observe  this  caution :  It  has  been  determined  in  the  labora- 
tories of  the  department  that  the  gas  so  liberated  is  slightly  inflam- 
mable. The  room  should  be  warm  and  moist.,  but  under  no  circum- 
stances should  the  chemicals  be  mixed  and  this  form  of  disinfection 
