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contain the form of oxygen called ozone, and in
destroying the germ-poisons act by decomposing or
oxidising the poison compound. This is the case
with Condy's Disinfecting Fluid which contains
ozone, and acts by oxidising the poison and rendering
that innocuous which had before been injurious.
Another agent which acts in the same way is
Chlorine. This element is a gas, and is applied
in several ways. It can be easily made from common
salt which contains Chlorine, by mixing Chloride of
Sodium—common salt — with Peroxide of Manganese
and Sulphuric Acid, Chlorine is evolved from, this
mixture, and poisonous germs in the air are thus
effectually destroyed.
One of the oldest remedies for the destruction
of poison-germs is Sulphurous Acid. This gas is
evolved by the burning of Sulphur. It was this gas
which Ulysses employed when purifying the places
in which he had destroyed the lovers of Penelope.
Euryclea.
" Sulphur brought and fire,
When he, with purifying steams, himself
Visited every part, the banquet-room,
The vestibule, the court."
The Compounds of Chlorine, with the metals, are
also disinfectants. These compounds are well-known,
and Chloride of Zinc (known as Burnett's Disinfecting
Fluid) Chloride of Iron, Chloride of Alum,
(Chloralum) and Chloride of Sodium (common salt)
are all used at the present day for the purpose of
destroying poison-germs. Sulphate of Iron, Sulphate