Abstract
In the preceding paper of this series 1 an improved method was proposed for testing and rating germicides. The compounds which were rated by the method included: iodine, Hexylresorcinol, Metaphen, phenol, Mercurochrome, and Merthiolate.
The same method was followed for the evaluation of several synthetic organic compounds belonging to the phenolic group. The compounds were tested for their effect on the growth of living embryonic chick tissue as well as for their ability to kill bacteria. A number known as the toxicity-index was determined which is defined as the ratio of the highest dilution of disinfectant showing no growth of embryonic tissue in 10 minutes to the highest dilution required to kill the test-organism in the same period of time. The tests were run at a temperature of 37°C. in the presence of a standard amount of organic matter. Theoretically the smaller the index the more nearly perfect the germicide.
The following compounds were tested and compared: o-n-hexylphenol, p-hydroxydiphenyl sulfide, and p-hydroxyphenyl-n-amyl sulfide. Since phenol and Hexylresorcinol are also phenolic compounds they are included for comparison.
Effect of germicides on bacteria and tissue. The compounds were tested against both Stophylococcus aureus (gram +) and Eberthella typhosa (gram —) . The killing concentrations of the germicides for tissue and bacteria and their toxicity-indices after 10 minutes exposure at 37°C. are given in Table I.
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