Evaluation of Germicides by a Manometric Method

Abstract

In an attempt to find a simple procedure for a presumptive estimation of the effectiveness of chemical compounds as potential chemotherapeutic agents, the authors resorted to a quantitative (manometric) estimation of the depressing effects of several disinfectants on the rate of oxygen consumption of bacteria and animal cells. Data obtained with 7 disinfectants tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and mouse liver cells are given. For purpose of comparison the germicidal effectiveness and toxicity for mice of each of these disinfectants were determined by the conventional methods. With certain limitations discussed in the paper, the manometric method yielded satisfactory values for these 2 properties of the disinfectants examined. The results of these experiments indicated that the mercurials tested rated superior to iodine, hexylresorcinol, and phenol, insofar as the ratio of germicidal value in vitro to toxicity is concerned.