Phenix Gazette

A correspondent in the New York American bears the following strong testimony in favor of the efficacy of the chloride of lime as a safeguard against contagion:-

It was with much pleasure that I read in your paper a communication on the subject of the article named above, setting forth its properties and the author's belief in its efficacy in preventing the extension of contagious diseases. In support of that gentleman's argument, I would beg to instance my own case, having recently recovered from an attack of the Small Pox in its most frightful form; and although situated for many weeks as I was in a house in which there was an average of from thirty to forty persons of all ages, not an individual imbibed the disease. I caused to be distributed in all the adjoining apartments, and constantly used in my own by sprinkling the floor, bed clothes, &c, with a decoction made by pouring a gallon of water on one pound of chloride. At that time I was only acquainted with the chloride by having tested its efficacy in removing the disagreeable odors arising in warm weather from putrid substances, privies, &c. It occurred to me that it might be beneficial even in destroying the contagious principle of the Small Pox; and although the physicians in attendance scouted the idea, I notwithstanding persevered in its use, and shall ever attribute the cheering fact that no person imbibed the disease from me to its use. As an additional testimony of its efficacy, I would mention that several members of the family imprudently exposed themselves by visiting me before I was able to leave my bed, and afterwards by washing the bed clothes, &c. without any precautions on their part. I had, however, been in the habit of sprinkling them thoroughly each day, by which their safety was ensured. Also, one of the servants who had neither had the Small Pox or been vaccinated, made the apartment adjoining mine a constant thoroughfare, yet he escaped.