NEW SPRAY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 295, 18 April 1941, Page 5

NEW SPRAY

MAY CHECK COMMON COLDS

A group of Chicago University research physicians has announced the discovery.of a method of sterilising air with an odourless, invisible germicidal mist, using a spray of propylene glycol.

Effectiveness is retained for an hour and a half, c'.nd the new method promises to reduce the spread of respiratory infections,, including pneumonia anil the common cold.

Dr. Bachmeyer, Associate Dean of the Biological Sciences Division of the University, said that the mist would possibly be effective in airraid shelters, barracks, sick-rooms, and crowded halls. Doctor's !Doubts. Dr. A. H. Baldwin, of the School of Public Health, Sydney University, said that doctors were searching for a germicidal spray which would be efficient, non-irritating, and odourless.

If the Chicago doctors had found one in propylene glycol, it would be ol' high value in air-raid shelt-. ers, he said. "Lister sprayed carbolic acid beside his operating table in 1860, but carbolic is a poison," Dr. Baldwin added. "During the influenza epidemic all kinds of sprays were tried to prevent infection. Not one was really effective.

"The trouble is {hat a germicidal strong enouga to kill germs is strong enough to damage tissues.

"A spray may kill germs but devitalise the tissues, which are then liable to be invaded by bacteria as soon as the parson leaves the; shelter for the open air.

"Tt seems too much to hope that a 100 per cent effective spray lias been found," he said. Clyeol Expensive. Prop3 T lene glycol is a well-known industrial varnish solvent with about 200 allied components, some of which, w r hen used in certain conditions, are poisonous and have known to cause death.

Mr A. R. Penfold. curator of the. Sydney Technological Museum, said the disadvantages of the use of propylene glycol for mass spraying of air in Australia would be its high cost of production. "According to information, in spite of unhygienic overcrowding in air-raid shelters in Britain, there* has been no outbreak of rcspiratorv disease in London," said, a Macquarie Street doctor. There had been alarming increase in cerebral spinal fever, however, he added. This affected children nnd young adults. Infection was transmitted through the breath.