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impunity in an atmosphere of chlorine, where he himself could not remainabove a few minutes.”
The constitutional or remote effect caused by inhalations of chlorine,is increased frequency of the pulse and of respiration. But this effectmay be in part owing to the increased muscular efforts of the patient.Mr. Wallace states that the application of chlorine to the skin also occa-sions soreness of the mouth, fauces, and oesophagus, increased vascula-rity, and even minute ulcerations of these parts, and an alteration in thequantity and quality of the salivary and biliary secretions. He thinksthat it has a tranquillizing, and at the same time exciting power, withrespect to the nervous system. Dr. Christison tells us that at the Belfast manufactory above alluded to, the chief consequences of exposure to anatmosphere of chlorine are acidity and other stomach complaints, whichthe men generally correct by taking chalk. Absorption of fat is said tobe an effect observed in the manufactories at Glasgow , Manchester, andBelfast. (Cogswell’s Essay on Iodine , p. 82.)
When applied to the skin or bronchial membrane, does chlorine gasbecome absorbed? If Mr. Wallace’s observation be correct, we mustinfer that it does, and that it is thrown out of the system by the kidneys ;for he says the urine acquires bleaching properties.
Uses. — (a.) As a fumigating agent, disinfectant, and antiseptic , chlorine,I believe, stands unrivalled. Halle, in 1785, appears to have been thefirst person who employed it as a disinfectant; but we are greatly in-debted to Guyton-Morveau for the zeal and energy he manifested in hisattempts to introduce it into use. For destroying miasmata, noxiousI effluvia, and putrid odours, it is the most powerful agent known; and is,therefore, well adapted for disinfecting prisons, ships, hospitals, dissect-ing-rooms, and all other places, the air of which requires purification.The best method of fumigating a large building is that adopted by Dr.Faraday, at the General Penitentiary at Milbank. One part of common saltwas intimately mixed with one part of the black or binoxide of manga-nese ; then placed in a shallow earthen pan, and two parts of oil ofvitriol, previously diluted with two parts by measure of wa< er, poured overit, and the whole stirred with a stick. Chlorine continued to be liberatedfrom this mixture for four days. The quantities of the ingredients con-sumed were 700 lbs. of common salt, 700 lbs. of binoxide of manganese,and 1400 lbs. of sulphuric acid. The disinfecting power of chlorine is sup-posed to depend on its affinity for hydrogen, by which it effects thedecomposition of water or aqueous vapour, with the hydrogen of which itunites, while the nascent oxygen oxidizes the organic matter : or it mayact merely by abstracting hydrogen from the putrid miasmata.
(6.) As an antidote in poisoning by hydrocyanic acid, sulphuretted hydro-gen, or hydrosulphate of ammonia, chlorine gas is a very valuable agent.I believe, however, that the chloride of lime will be found a more con-venient, safe, and opportune substance ; of course its activity depends onthe chlorine which it contains or gives out. The beneficial influence ofchlorine in the treatment of animals asphyxiated by sulphuretted hydro-gen, doubtless arises in part at least from its chemical properties; forwhen mixed with sulphuretted hydrogen, it forms chloride of sulphur andhydrochloric acid. The best method of applying the remedy is to diffusea little chlorine in the air, and then to effect artificial respiration.
(c.) Inhaled in chronic pulmonary diseases it is sometimes a useful