Further researches on bactericidal mists and smokes

Abstract

In Out original paper on germicidal aerosols (Twort, Baker, Finn & Powell, 1940) it was shown that the most satisfactory results were obtained with a solution of 10% hexyl resorcinol in propylene glycol together with a little alkali and wetting agent, the mixture being mechanically atomized into mist particles of appropriate size. Although it was confirmed by other workers that a high degree of lethal effectiveness on air-borne bacteria was achieved by the above procedure, objections were raised to its use in practice at the moment on the grounds that:(1) The germicide base was difficult to obtain.(2) The solvent was only manufactured in America, and not in bulk there.(3) The mechanical apparatus advocated involved the use of metals now required for the making of war weapons.