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75
Before deciding upon a new Equifex machine, the Sanitary
Committee visited and saw locally (in full working)
the different high-pressure machines at present on the
market, viz.:—
(a) Messrs. Manlove & Alliott's Washington Lyon
machine, with recent improvements, in use by
the Newington Vestry;
(b) Messrs. Goddard & Massey's machine, in use by
the Camberwell Vestry;
(c) Messrs. Defries & Sons' Equifex machine, in use
at the Brook Hospital, Shooter's Hill;
and the decision of the Committee was ratified by the
Vestry on Feb. 18th, 1897.
The new machine has been in use since October, and is
proving highly satisfactory—its accuracy and ease in
working being specially marked. In a Report on Steam
Disinfection, presented to the Vestry, the Medical Officer
pointed out that, after practical acquaintance with Washington
Lyon's and Goddard & Massey's machines, he was of
opinion that trial should be made of an Equifex, for the
following reasons:—
1. The germicidal and disinfecting power of saturated
steam is acknowledged by all to be immeasurably
superior to superheated steam,
which, is, in fact, little better than hot air;
2. There is a maximum disinfection with a minimum
pressure;
3. It is possible to provide, in connection with the
machine, an accurate automatic recording guage;
by which complete control over the disinfecting
power of the machine can be kept, thereby
rendering it independent of the attendant in
charge;