Nature's Hygiene

Abstract

THIS book aims at being a systematic manual of natura hygiene. The introductory chapters deal in a popular manner with chemical principles and chemical changes, leading up eventually to questions affecting the chemistry and hygiene of the atmosphere, of water, of sewage, and of numerous other subjects supposed to be included within the domain of natural hygiene. The second part of the book is devoted to what are called the sanitary properties of Eucalyptus-trees, of pine-trees, and of camphor forests. At first sight the general character of the work impresses the reader favourably. He is disposed to read it for the sake of acquiring information on subjects which force themselves on public notice in every large town. These are: the purification of water; the relations existing between micro-organic life and the so-called infectious or contagious diseases; the measures to be adopted for the disposal and treatment of sewage, and the relative value of certain antiseptics and disinfectants. The author devotes to these subjects numerous pages of information more or less relevant to them. At p. 217, however, the author arrives at the matured conclusion that “the only disinfectant which, while possessing all these characters, also acts upon anaërobic and aerobic forms of life alike, of which I have knowledge, is that known as —, for the existence of which I am proud to take credit.” Besides this disinfectant, there is an equally good “fluid,” an equally good “oil,” and an equally good “powder,” for all of which, no doubt, the writer has also pride in taking credit. There are in all some thirty references to these specifics.

Nature's Hygiene: A Systematic Manual of Natural Hygiene, containing a Detailed Account of the Chemistry and Hygiene of Eucalyptus, Pine, and Camphor Forests, and Industries connected therewith.

By C. T. Kingsett Third Edition. (London: Baillière, Tindall, and Cox, 1888.)