The epidemic was almost everywhere on the wane at this epoch; but we judge that the test of the stoves was sufficient.

We are able to advance the following statement boldly:  For the application of disinfection in the rural districts, the movable stove is the most practical thing that we know of.  It is easily used, can be taken to the smallest hamlets, and can be transported over the roughest roads.  It inspires peasants with no distrust.  The first repugnance is easily overcome, and every one, upon seeing that objects come from the stove unharmed, soon hastens to bring to it all the contaminated linen, etc., that he has in the house.

Further, we may add that the disinfection is accomplished in a quarter of an hour, and that it therefore keeps the peasant but a very short time from his work—­an advantage that is greatly appreciated.  Finally, a day well employed suffices to disinfect a small settlement completely.  Upon the whole, disinfection by the stove under consideration is the only method that can always and everywhere be carried out.

We believe that it is called upon to render the greatest services in the future.

The movable stove, regarding which Prof.  Brouardel expresses himself in the above terms, consists of a cylindrical chamber, 31/2 feet in internal diameter and 5 feet in length, closed in front by a hermetically jointed door.  This cylinder, which constitutes the disinfection chamber, is mounted upon wheels and is provided with shafts, so that it can easily be hauled by a horse or mule.  The cylinder is of riveted iron plate, and is covered with a wooden jacket.  The door is provided with a flange that enters a rubber lined groove in the cylinder, and to it are riveted wrought iron forks that receive the nuts of hinged bolts fixed upon the cylinder.  The nuts are screwed up tight, and the flange of the door, compressing the rubber lining, renders the joint hermetical.  The door, which is hinged, is provided with a handle, which, when the stove is closed, slides over an inclined plane fixed to the cylinder.

The steam enters a cast iron box in the stove through a rubber tube provided with a threaded coupling.  The entrance of the steam is regulated by a cock.  The box is provided with a safety and pressure gauge and a small pinge cock.  In the interior of the stove the entrance of the steam is masked by a large tinned copper screen, which is situated at the upper part and preserves the objects under treatment from drops of water of condensation.  These latter fall here and there from the screen, follow the sides of the cylinder, and collect at the bottom, from whence they are drawn off through a cock placed in the rear.

The sides are lined internally with wood, which prevents the objects to be infected from coming into contact with the metal.  The objects to be treated are placed upon wire cloth shelves.  The pinge cock likewise serves for drawing off the air or steam contained in the apparatus.