Rob (Kentucky) on 09/18/2026

From the Book: Iowa Medical Journal Volume 18, p. 370-376,1911

W. A. GUILD, M. S. M. D., UTICA BUILDING, DES MOINES, IOWA.

The call of practical therapeutics is being answered by many progressive physicians. Those who have their ear to the ground, hear with no uncertainty, the onward tread of "New Medicine. " Among the newer therapeutic agents is Ozone. Ozone is not a new discovery, but its practical application in the arts and sciences is comparatively recent.

The first mention made of this gas is contained in the reports of Van Marum, in 1785, who observed that air through which an electrical discharge had taken place was possessed of a peculiar odor. There is no record of any attempt at that time to make either a chemical or physical analysis or classification of this phenomenon.

During the next half century some few investigators made mention at various times of this peculiar substance; some likening it to chlorine; others again to bromine; and still others claiming that it was a higher oxide of hydrogen differing from the previously well known peroxide ( H-2 0-2 ).

In 1893, Schonbein communicated to the Naturalist Society in Bale his experiments with the then new substance, announcing that he had succeeded in isolating it as a definite chemical and naming it "Ozone, " from the Greek word " Ozon-I smell." The true nature of this substance, however, was not known until the year 1863, at which time, Soret and other investigators determined and described it. Their opinion as to the constitution of Ozone is the one generally accepted at the present day. According to this acceptation, the Ozone molecule consists of three atoms of oxygen ( O-3 ), whereas, the oxygen molecule contains but two atoms ( 0-2 ).

It is not my purpose, in this paper, to engage in a scientific exposition of the chemical and scientific facts in connection with this substance, but rather to deal with it from a practical viewpoint. However, a short description of its physical and chemical properties will not be out of place.

Ozone is a colorless gas with an intense characteristic odor. In high dilutions, the odor resembles that of chlorine; but when it is more concentrated the odor is very much like that of moist phosphorus. The diluted gas is very unstable under most conditions. It decomposes quite slowly at a temperature approximating 40 to 50 degrees Centigrade. In the pure state it is comparatively stable up to 260 degrees Centigrade. It becomes a mobile, dark blue liquid at minus 103 Centigrade, under a pressure of 125 atmospheres. When in the liquid state it is highly explosive. This chemical instability is an index of the great activeness that renders Ozone useful and valuable. Ozone is slightly soluble in water. The proportion of the saturated solution being about I to 112.

Ozone is produced in nature by silent electrical discharges from mineralized fields. The mountainous sections and higher altitudes furnish a splendid example of this. The amount of Ozone which is formed is in direct proportion to the electrical potential of the given field. For this reason, we find a large amount of Ozone over large bodies of water and at the seashore. At a meeting of the American Climatological Association in Montreal, Canada, June 13 and 14,1911, Dr. James M. Anders, L. L. D., Professor of Medicine and Clinical Medicine in the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, said, "Forests produce Ozone . One of the beneficial effects of forests is attributable to their energy in developing Ozone. My own observations, which have been detailed elsewhere, showed that Ozone is generated by odorous foliage and all of the flowering species, more particularly by scented flowers. According to my researches the exhalations from the Conifera were particularly energetic in the production of Ozone- a fact that affords an opportunity of entering a seasonable plea for the more careful preservation and cultivation of American pines.

The Scientific American, under date of January 14,1899 makes the claim that the phosphorescence seen on the crest of waves in certain parts of the ocean is not due to the presence of Animalcules as has been supposed but that this luminosity is produced by the energetic oxidation of certain organic substances contained in the water. This was demonstrated by an apparatus devised for the purpose, in which sea water was exposed to a current of Ozone producing a similar illumination at the plane where the water and Ozone came in contact.

Ozone may be produced mechanically in several different ways, among which are : the slow oxidation of moist phosphorus, the decomposition of water, acidulated with sulphuric acid, by a galvanic current,

and by the passing of an electrical spark or an electrical discharge through atmosphere or oxygen. The latter method is the most practical for the reason that, in this way, it is possible to produce considerable quantities of Ozone.

Ozone, as a deodorant, stand's par-excellent. Dr. Mortons, in the New York Medical Journal, reports the placing of a piece of meat, in an advanced state of decomposition and giving out an insufferable

odor, into a vessel filled with Ozonized air. In one minute, the meat was completely deodorized. He also reports an experiment with 300 grams of horse manure, emiting a strong ammoniacal odor, which disappeared immediately when treated with Ozone. Stagnant water into which Ozonized air was introduced at once lost its disagreeable odor. In one of the principle buildings in the City of Des Moines, a continued malodor emanating from the elevator shaft completely disappeared within two hours after the installation of an Ozone generator in a physician's office in that building.

I am informed that between 6,000 and 7,000 cubic feet, per minute, of Ozonized air is being pumped into the London subway at every station from 7 o'clock in the morning until I o'clock at night and that the acrid dampish odors, which were formerly so noticeable have entirely disappeared.

Dr. G. M. Dyott, writing in November, 1909, says that Ozonized air can be generated and distributed throughout a large building so easily, so cheaply and so effectively that Ozonizing sets will soon be as frequently seen as fan motors in summer.

In a recent case of fire, where a room became so full of smoke and. the lingering odor of combustion products as to be untenablé, an ozonator completely cleared and sweetened the room in a few minutes .

Kitchens and dishwashing rooms in which the volatilized product of steam washed dishes was very offensive, are rendered odorless and comfortably habitable.

Ozone, in consequence of its great oxidizing activity, is a powerful. and rapid disinfectant. The air in factory rooms, which had a high bacteriological content, has been rendered sterile on the introduction of a quantity of Ozone diluted with air in such proportion that the average concentration over the room was one part of Ozone in one million of air.

An Ozone machine has been in operation in a Homeopathic hospital in Pittsburgh for several years and has proven very successful as a deodorant as well as a sterilizing agent. Ozone is also being used for sterilizing and purifying the air in the Royal Theater in Stutgart, Germany. An Ozone generator established in the Chicago Public Library in August, 1909, proved most successful in not only completely deodorizing the main reading room, and injecting fresh sterilized air into the rooms at all times, but it also thoroughly deodorized and sterilized all the books, publications, shelves, racks and tables.

Instruments may be sterilized without heat or moisture, by means of Ozone. This is accomplished in a short time, the period depending on the strength and moisture of the air-ozone mixture.

It is a fact, however, that the bactericidal and germicidal action of Ozone is materially enhanced by the presence of moisture. Dr. Ohlmuller in a report to the German Government said, "that if both the bacteria and Ozone be dry, no effect on the bacteria was apparent. With the bacteria dry and Ozone moist, Typhus bacilli were destroyed in thirty minutes." Quoting further, he says, "Typhus, Cholera and Anthrax placed in distilled and sterilized water were quickly destroyed. Dr. Wm. Hallock Parks, of New York, in a letter to Dr. Morton of that city, reports an experiment in which he placed Ozonized air into a test tube containing a watery suspension of staphylococci. The Ozonized air was passed into the mixture for five, ten and fifteen minutes. The cloudy fluid seemed to be come clearer under the action of the Ozone. The result showed that in the shortest trial all of thestaphylococci were killed.

Dr. Emil Schnees, of Carlsbad, subjected Anthrax cultures to the action of Ozone at blood heat, passed through a special disinfecting apparatus. The cultures were placed on small porcelian saucers . The bacilli and spores were destroyed in half an hour. The same results were obtained when the cultures were inclosed in thin tissue paper.

Oberdorfer's10 experiments slowed conclusively that Ozone was germicidal as well as antiseptic in the treatment of Bacillus Prodigiosus, Spirrilum of Asiatic Cholera and of Anthrax spores .

Dr. Morton says, "Many observers have maintained that it is due to Ozone alone that the multiplication of germs of epidemic diseases is prevented. They claim that the spread of epidemic diseases is caused

by the absence of or a diminution of the normal quantity of Ozone in the atmosphere, and is coincident with the appearance of Diphtheria, etc.

Plants for the purification of water by means of Ozone are in successful operation in Paris, Nice and Chartres, France, in Paterborn and Weisbaden, Germany, in Schiedan and other Holland towns, and in the United States in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Maryland, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Philadelphia plant was the first established in the United States and is said to be very successful from a hygienic point of view. The water is taken from a turbid, sewage poluted river and is transformed into a "clear sparkling fluid" which bacteriologists claim is practically free from bacteria.

Writing in the Asclepiad in 1890, Dr. W. B. Richardson, of London, said, "In my essay describing the model city, Hygeiopolis, it was suggested that in every town there should be a building like a gas house in which Ozone should be made and stored, and from which it should be dispensed to every street or house at pleasure. This suggestion was made as the final result of observation which had been going on since I first began to work at the subject in 1852. "

"It occurred to me from the moment when I first made Ozone by Schonbein's method that the value of it from a hygienic point of view was incalculable. To my then young and enthusiastic mind it seemed that in Ozone we had a means of stopping all putrefaction, of destroying all causes which produce the great spreading of diseases; and although increase of years and greater experiences have toned down the enthusiasm, I still believe that one of the most useful fields for investigation remains almost unexplored."

Dr. Onimus, made some experiments at Marseilles during a cholera epidemic in order to satisfy himself and to establish, if possible, the therapeutic value of Ozone in the treatment of Cholera. An Ozone generator was used in one ward, while another, for comparison was kept free of Ozone. Dr. Onimus found that fewer deaths occurred and that the patients were far more comfortable in the ward supplied with Ozone.

I find, after canvassing available literature, reports from eleven physicians, who treated 108 cases of Asthma, all of which were relieved and over 50 percent of which were permanently benefited. Thirteen physicians treated 309 cases of Anemia with markedly beneficial results. Eleven physicians report also immediate and lasting benefit in treating of 160 cases of Insomnia. 63 patients suffering from Mal-nutrition are reported by seven physicians with marked benefit in all cases. Fifteen physicians report the treating of 543 cases of Tuberculosis with permanent benefit in a percentage large enough to astonish those not acquainted with Ozone Therapy. 389 cases of Neurasthenia, treated by twelve physicians were all benefited and a considerable percent derived permanent good from the treatment.

256 cases of bronchitis are reported by ten physicians, with uniformly excellent results.

The evidence in the above summary of cases was obtained from many different sources and the results obtained are substantiated by my own experience with Ozone by inhalation.

Ozone may be exhibited in any and all diseases, acute or chronic, in which we find under-oxidization or where there is a poverty of blood function; not as a specific but as a rational treatment for a condition constant in all chronic and frequent in many acute diseases .

Ozone is particularly useful in those "old" cases, which have defied medication, surgery, change of climate, travel, the " Baths " and "Treatments" of various states and countries. In these cases, of which

we all have tried, Ozone, the adjuvant, seems to bring out and emphasize other treatment. Drugs act more potently when Ozone is given and other prescribed measures bring the expected, hoped-for results, which have not been previously realized.

Ozone is a near specific in Influenza and acute infections of the air passages and has been the sole treatment of many cases of Pneumonia followed by happy results.

For the sedentary business man, who takes little or no out-door recreation, Ozone provides the benefits of mountain and ocean air at home without, of course, the change of scenery and environment.

It may supplant oxygen in all emergencies in the sick room and operating room, and, because of its highly germicidal properties tends to prevent postoperative pneumonia.

In New York City several hundred physician's offices are equipped with Ozone apparatus. In all of the Eastern cities and in Europe, Ozone is looked upon as a valuable aid in therapeutics . Everywhere it is fast gaining its deserved popularity with the profession. This popularity is not due to exploitation but as a result of practical tests in every day practice. The therapeutics of Ozone has had a gradual development. It has lacked the publicity attendant upon the announcement of some new discovery yet Ozone stands today, in its yet undeveloped state, the remedial agent with the widest range of action.

BIBLIOGRAPHY .

1. Beschreibung einer Elektrisirmaschine, von Martinus van Marum, deutsch . Uebersetzung, Leipzig b. Schwickert, 1786, I. thl, 25 u. 28, I Fortsetzg 1788,39. Saxtorph's Elektricitatslehre, ubers . v. Fangl., I. Thl., 434.

2. Berichteuber d. Verhandlgn. d. naturforsch. Ges. in Basel iv. 58 u. 66 Abhandlgn. d. II. Classe d. bayer. Akademie d. Wiss., Bd. iii. Abthl. I. S. 257. Poggend. Annal. I. 616.

3. Annal. d. Chem. u. Pharm., cxxvii, 38. Jour. f. prakt. Chem., xc, 216. Poggend. Annal., cxviii. 623. Compt. rend., lvi, 390. Compt. rend ., lvii, 604. Annal. d. Chem. u. Ph. cxxx. 95. Poggend. Annal. cxxi . 286. Phil. Mag. (4), xxvi, 554. Annal. d. Chim. et Phys. (4), vii, 113, Compt. rend., lxi, 941 . Annal. d. Chem. u. Pharm., cxxxviii, 45. Chem. Strlbl., 1866,33 Phil. Mag.

(4), xxxi, 82. Poggend. Annal., cxli., 294. Chem. Ctrlbl., 1870,385 .

4. "The Climatic and Hygienic Influences of Forest Growth, " June, 1911, by Dr. James M. Anders, L. L. D., Professor of Medicine and Clinical Medicine in the Medico- Chirurgical College of Philadelphia.

5. Morton, New York Medical Journal, June, 30,1894. Ozone & Antozone, by Fox, 1873. L' Ozone on Kecherches Chemiques, etc., 1856.

6. Scientific American Supplement, Sept., 28,1889.

7. New York Medical Journal, Vol. 59, page 779 .

8. New York Medical Journal, Vol. 59, page 782.

9. New York Medical Journal, Vol. 59, page 811 .

10. Ueber d. Einwirkung d. Ozons auf Bakt. Jahresber., Virchow, 1889.

11. Dr. G. M. Dyott, Electrical World, Nov. 4,1909.

12. Thomas Nelson & Sons' encyclopedia.

Thomas Nelson & Sons of New York, publishers of Nelson's Loose Leaf Encyclopedia, report that there are twenty-five buildings in the City of New York in which Ozone generators have been installed for the purification and sterilization of the atmosphere and that the air conditions in the buildings in which these generators have been installed closely resemble the conditions existing at the seashore .

The air in the green room of Keith & Proctor's Theatre, Union Square, New York is rendered pure and fresh and all odors and stuffy, foul air conditions are absolutely eliminated by the use of Ozone produced artificially. The Chicago Telephone Company has installed twenty-one Ozone generators in their operating rooms and report that the air has been rendered absolutely fresh and pure and that the mistakes among the operators since the installation of these generators have been reduced to the minimum.

The Chicago packing houses are utilizing Ozone, produced mechanically, for the elimination of odors of warm blood which permeate their entire plants. The Frankfort Slaughter Houses at Frankfort, A Main, Germany, and the Municipal Slaughter Houses in Cologne are using Ozone generators for obliterating odors in their cold storage plants due to immense quantities of meats stored there.

Dr. Linder, Ph. D. reports an interesting experiment as follows: a sample of air, 2140 centimeters was taken from the custodian's room in the city hall in Chicago and showed 101 Bacteria per liter. Some little time after an Ozone generator was placed in operation, a second sample of air, 2093 centimeters, was taken from the same room, which showed a Bacterial content of 65 per liter, representing a decrease of 36 per cent due to ozonination alone