Sulphate of Lime. See Lime.
Sulphate of Zinc. See Zinc.
Sulphurous Acid. An irrespirable gas, produced by burning sulphur. Powerful disinfectant. Coagulates albuminous matters and probably destroys germs. Destroys sulphureted hydrogen and ammonia. Dry articles are not hurt by it, but wet clothes are bleached. Can not be used with chlorine, as they neutralize each other. Chlorine is as effective, but is so destructive that it can only be used in empty rooms. It requires about a tablespoonful of alcohol to light a pound of sulphur. Sulphur (roll-brimstone), 10 cents a pound.
Thymol. See Carbolic Acid.
Zinc Salts.—The sulphate and the chloride of zinc are excellent disinfectants. They are colorless, and can therefore be used on clothing. They form, with albuminous matters, extremely insoluble compounds, and also absorb gases from putrefying material. They are the best disinfectants of their class. The sulphate is cheaper, but the chloride more efficient. Sulphate of zinc, 10 cents an ounce; chloride of zinc, 20 cents an ounce.
It is better and cheaper to buy and mix one’s own disinfectants. The many proprietary articles are no more efficient, and are very expensive. The composition of some of those most in use is here given. (Analyses by Waller, of the New York City Health Department.)
The first column gives parts in 100, and the second, ounces in a gallon in the case of liquids, and ounces in a pound in case of powders.
Bromo-chloralum (Tilden & Co.), 50 cents a pint.
| Chloride of aluminum | 8.152 | 12.71 |
| Water, bromide of aluminum, lime salts, etc. | 91.848 | 143.25 |
| 100.000 | 155.96 |
Burnett’s Fluid is a solution of chloride of zinc (25 grains to the drachm).