Effect of a Vacuum on Destruction of Bacteria by Germicides

It may be stated that the increased efficiency of formaldehyde as a germicide was not due to any effect of the vacuum on the gas but rather to the ability of the vacuum to increase the penetration of the gas. Formaldehyde is chiefly a surface disinfectant. The increased penetration in the presence of a vacuum made it possible for the gas to reach the organisms. The vacuum principle is capable of producing a very deep penetration of the gas into porous materials. The method is very efficient, cheap, easily performed, and indispensable for the sterilization of objects likely to be injured by the application of dry or moist heat.