ON THE CHLORINE LAMP OF DR. HILDRETH. 
205 
ON THE CHLORINE LAMP OF DR. HILDRETH. 
By William Hodgson, Jr. 
In the " Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Feb. 11th," is a 
notice by Dr. Hildreth, of a method of eliminating chlorine, which 
appears to possess some interest. He says : 
** Having recently had occasion for the use of chlorine as a disinfecting 
agent, I was led to consider whether there might not be some method more 
convenient and efficacious than that usually adopted for its evolution. 
Though the gas extricated by the new method is not chlorine, but chiefly 
hydrochloric acid, yet it seems practically of at least equal efficiency for 
deodorizing purposes. 
" Chlorine is usually generated by the action of sulphuric acid upon a 
mixture of binoxide of manganese and chloride of sodium ; by the action of 
the same agent upon the chlorides of lime or soda ; or by the simple expo- 
sure of the latter in open vessels. If, in the first process, the binoxide of 
manganese be omitted, hydrochloric acid is evolved ; this latter method is in 
popular use. Even where the manganese is present, much hydrochloric 
acid is given off, and if pure chlorine be desired, manganese and sulphuric 
acid only should be used. In either process the application of heat is ne- 
cessary. 
" The first of these methods is inconvenient, and requires considerable 
attention. By the second, the gas is rapidly liberated, but the supply is soon 
exhausted, and the materials must soon be replenished. The third is simple 
and convenient, but not sufficiently efficacious. 
" The plan which I propose is simple and efficient. It consists in the 
combustion of chloric ether in a common lamp. 
" The gas arising from the decomposition of the ether has been analyzed 
by Dr. Bacon, and found to be hydrochloric acid, with a trace of chlorine. 
Practically, I have not found it less efficacious than pure chlorine for dis- 
infecting purposes. It has been used to a considerable extent in the Mas- 
sachusetts General Hospital, and gives no inconvenience to the patients. 
Its odor may be plainly perceived upon entering a ward where the lamp is 
burning, and in proper quantity it is far from disagreeable. So far as has 
been observed, it exerts no injurious influence upon the furniture or metal- 
lic utensils in the wards. Its deodorizing powers are fully equal to those 
of chlorine. 
"For purifying the wards of hospitals, or the private apartments of the 
sick ; for deodorization during an autopsy in a private house ; for use in 
dissecting rooms, and for numerous similar purposes, I apprehend the 
chloric ether lamp will be found convenient, inexpensive and efficacious. 
« I would remark that the proper material for combustion in the lamp, is 
the ' strong chloric ether ; used for inhalation, and not the chloric ether of 
