Disinfection / by Professor S. Delépine.

  • Delépine, Sheridan, 1855-1921.
Date:
[between 1890 and 1899]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Disinfection / by Professor S. Delépine. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

    4/18 (page 403)
    PBOF. 8. DELEPITTE. for a few hours a solution of active hypo-chlorite mixed with other salts was obtained. If a weak solution, made with about one part of the original chloride of hme and 100 parts of water, was applied to the walls or to any paper impregnated with tuberculous matter, thorough disinfection was obtained in a few hours. Disinfection was invariably obtained in that way and, in fact, an exposure of a few minutes was generally sufficient, even with a weak solution like the one he had mentioned, when the layer of virulent sputum was not very thick. The solution was very easily prepared. Bleaching powder could be bought by the authorities in the dry state, could be mixed with water when wanted, the fluid could then be decanted if a clear fluid was desired, and the solution was ready for use. It was impossible to find a cheaper disinfectant or one in which it was easier to secure what Dr. Cameron wanted as a necessary element of success, viz.: a definite proportion of the active element present. The one per cent, solutions damaged papers, metal fittings, etc., to a very slight extent indeed, the mechanical action of the brush, and' the dirt on the wall, being the chief sources of discolouration. These experiments with tuberculous sputa led Professor Delepine to try the action of hypo-chlorite of lime on various other germs than the tubercle bacillus, and as was expected from the results obtained by many observers with damp chlorine, it was found that every germ tried was rapidly destroyed when brought into contact with a ten per cent, or even one per cent, solution of chloride- of lime. Dr. Woodhead had also made many experiments on dis- infection, and he would be able to bear out what the author said. Anthrax spores pla.ced for a few minutes in such a weak solution as that he had just mentioned were killed. In the presence of results of this kind one was hardly justified in using other disinfectants, when it was possible to use chlorated lime. There was one strong objection to the use of this solution. Hypo-chlorites when applied to walls in weak solutions generated chlorine so rapidly that the disinfectors found difficulty to remain in a room while disinfecting it. He once shut himself in a room with every opening closed and went through the process of washing twice the walls with a ten per cent, solution, without leaving that room. He found he could do it but was rather miserable for nearly a whole day ^afterwards. It did not follow however that because the process was un- pleasant to apply it should not be applied. Difficulties of that kind had been overcome before and there was no very con- siderable difficulty in overcoming this one. First of all he tried