SCIENCE SIFTINGS

New Zealand Tablet, 15 November 1917, Page 46

SCIENCE SIFTINGS

By "Volt."

Anthrax.

A fatal case of anthrax in a human being in Western Australia, in which the source of infection was an imported shaving-brush, has again focussed attention upon this terrible disease (says the South Australian Register). Zoologically, anthrax is extraordinarily widespread, for it occurs not only in man, but in many kinds of animals, and even in birds. That it is comparatively rare in this country is eloquent of the alert thoroughness of the health authorities, for it may be conveyed through food, through mere inhalation of infected air, or through a wound. Moreover, disinfection for anthrax is a matter of exceptional difficulty, because, although the bacillus is easily destroyed, the spores have a high degree of resistance to heat and chemical agents so that much more powerful disinfectants are required to kill this infection than for nonspore bearing bacteria. The precautions necessary in the disposal of the carcase of an animal which has died from anthrax are eloquent of the danger of infection. Recent investigators recommend not only that .the carcase should be buried entire, but that it should be placed six feet below the surface, and covered with •quicklime, and then, as an extra safeguard, the ground fenced off. The spores may remain dormant for 18 years, and still be capable of spreading the disease. Recent researches have shown that super-heated steam is a trustworthy method of dealing with this infection. The spores cannot survive an exposure of 15 minutes to steam at 120 degrees centigrade or 20 minutes in steam at 115 degrees. A chemical agent is probably more convenient for ordinary use, and there are several suitable disinfectant solutions. For instance, a one-in-a-thousand solution of perchloride of mercury kills the spores of anthrax in an hour, and a one-in-five-hundred solution more quickly. The latter is specially recommended. - Carbolic acid cannot be depended upon, but a 2 per cent, solution of lysol has been found to be effective. A 33 per cent, solution of formalin destroys the spores in 15 minutes, and a 15 per cent, solution will have the same effect in an hour and ahalf. All these disinfectants act more quickly at a high temperature, and should be used at or near boiling point. Customs regulations in Australia now prohibit the importation from Asiatic countries (where anthrax has not been properly controlled) of shavingbrushes, the material used in the manufacture of which has not been sterilised. Power Alcohol. An interesting paper on Power Alcohol, with particular reference to the necessity for its extended production in Australia, was read before the Victorian Society of Chemical Industry by Mr. Russell Grim wade. The lecturer stated that the substitution of a locally produced fuel for internal combustion engines for the imported petrol and mineral oil products was one of the most important economic questions that the Commonwealth had before it. Although Australia was far removed from the world's mineral oil deposits, it compared favorably with any other country in its essentials for the production of alcohol. Australia was now importing 20,000,000 gallons annually of volatile mineral fuels, valued at £1,500,000 at the port of shipment. These figures were exclusive of over 20,000,000 gallons of kerosene, valued at £600,000. Alcohol engines were more than past the experimental stage, and could and would be produced of high efficiency when the wholesale supply of alcohol was assured. The supply of alcohol was the real problem.- Waste molasses in Australia were a valuable immediate source for alcohol. Maize would produce close on 100 gallons per acre, with a raw material cost of under Is 8d per gallon. The present cost of petrol was 2s lOd per gallon. Sorghum was indicated as being a most valuable crop for alcohol production, as it yielded 230 gallons per acre oh an average crop. : ;~\ *; ~> : \ , r "'."''.': '