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31
There thus exists a considerable quantity of evidence
that formic aldehyde in the form of gas, and also in
solution, is a powerful disinfectant, and the writer thought
it his duty to investigate the matter personally, the more
especially with a view of ascertaining whether the St.
Marylebone system could be improved upon.
In St. Marylebone the system of disinfection is as
follows :—After a case of infectious disease, the Sanitary
Inspector goes to the room with one or more cylinders of
liquefied sulphur dioxide, which may be conveniently called
"sulphur gas " (it is in fact the same gas as is evolved by the
old-fashioned brimstone match, or by the burning of sulphur)
the room is now made so far as possible a closed cavity by
plugging the chimney and pasting all cracks over with
paper. When all is ready a little soft lead tube at the end of
the cylinder is cut; the gas rushes out with great violence,
and the Inspector beats a retreat and finally seals up with
paper the cracks in the door, and stops up the keyhole.
The room is left closed up many hours, usually over night.
The door is then opened, and as soon as sufficient of the
gas has diffused to render it possible for the room to be
entered, the windows are thrown open and the chimney
unstopped. Next after aeration of the room, all things that
can be taken to the disinfecting chamber are so taken, and
submitted to high pressure steam and also intermittent
currents of hot air. The room in the meantime receives
the ordinary domestic cleansing.
In many districts, in addition to these measures, the
local authority insists upon the walls being stripped,
and the whole papered or limewashed. In this
district no order of the kind is given unless
the walls, etc., appear to require it. Trust is not put
in fumigation solely, but disinfection is performed by (1)
sulphuring ; (2) steaming all things that can be steamed; and
(3) the ordinary cleansing. So far as experience goes,
such a disinfection has in practice been considered thorough,
and efficient. It has, however, its limits ; expensive furs,
expensive silks, leather goods, and paintings, and delicate