CHLORINE AS A DISINFECTANT. 
129 
think not extensively. Dr. Lindley, in his new work, the 
Vegetable Kingdom, says, "The best gamboge comes in 
the form of pipes from Siam, and this is conjectured to be 
the produce of Garcinia Cochinchinensis. As G. elliptica 
is spread over all the Province of Magui, is it not probable 
that it extends into Siam, and that the Siamese gamboge is 
the produce, a part at least, of this tree ? 
There are several other species of Garcinia indigenous to 
the Provinces, but I know of no others producing any thing 
resembling gamboge, except G. Cambogia ; the exudation 
of which, though it will not dissolve in water, dissolves in 
spirits of turpentine, and forms a very beautiful yellow 
varnish, for tin and other metallic surfaces.— PAarw. 
Journ, 
ART. XXXIV.—THE PROBABLE ACTION OF CHLORINE AS A 
DISINFECTANT. 
To THE Editor of the Pharmaceutical Journal. 
Sir, — Had not the paper read by Mr. Smith at our last 
meeting extended to so great a length, it was my wish to 
have put a question to the Members as to their opinion of 
the precise manner in which chlorine acts when it puts in 
check the spread of infectious miasms. 
From all the authorities I have consulted on the subject, 
I merely gather in effect this statement, that chlorine enters 
into chemical union with the miasmatous substance, and 
changes the combination of its elements into compounds of 
lower organic type, or even into inorganic. 
It is everywhere believed by chemists that the matter of 
infection is highly organized, and though not volatile, that 
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