e of the most powerful
antiseptic and disinfectants that we possess. Solutions of this strength
are manufactured by different commercial houses and sold by the drug trade
under the name of "formalose" and "formal." In this connection it should be
mentioned that while the 40 per cent solution of formaldehyde gas and
formalin are exactly the same thing, the former can be purchased at 33-1/3
to 64 per cent less than the latter. Formalin, diluted with water in the
proportion of 1 pint to 30 parts of water, or 4 ounces to each gallon of
water, may be applied, and it may thus be used as a wash or as a spray on
all paints, metals, and woodwork, as well as on clothing and other fabrics,
without injuring them. It may also be applied to floors, walls, and
woodwork in whitewash by mixing 1 part to 30 parts of limewash, or 4 ounces
to each gallon of limewash. Formalin has the appearance of water and in the
strong solution is poisonous, but when diluted as recommended above it is
not dangerous. The fumes given off by it, however, are very disagreeable
and irritating to the eyes and nasal mucous membranes. One and one-half
ounces of formalin added to 1 gallon of water is a valuable agent for the
disinfection of the skin or septic wounds, but is somewhat painful and
irritating to raw surfaces.

Formaldehyde is a gas which is soluble in 2-1/2 parts of water (40 parts of
formaldehyde gas to 100 parts of water); this solution constitutes the
formalin of commerce. The use of formaldehyde gas is in most cases
impracticable for stable disinfection. In case the stable is not too large
and can be made almost air-tight the generation of formaldehyde gas, after
removing all the animals, will be found very serviceable. It penetrates all
parts of the stable--the walls, crevices, floors, ceiling--and is probably
the best fumigating disinfectant that we have.

Probably one of the most simple and practical methods of liberating this
gas is by means of the chemical reaction which takes place when formalin is
poured upon permanganate of potassium. For each 1,000 cubic feet of air
space, 16-2/3 ounces of crystallized or powdered permanganate of potassium
is placed in a wide-surfaced pan; 20 ounces of formalin is then poured upon
it, and the stable immediately closed for a period of 12 hours or longer.
This method is efficient only when it is possible to seal tightly the place
to be disinfected, and should be used only by experienced persons.

(6) Some