“ In the arts, any substance which arrests fermentation and decay; in medicine, any agent which arrests the development and growth of micro-organisms. A germicide is a substance or agency which destroys these micro-organisms. ”

“ The action of micro-organisms is often combated directly by the introduction into preserved foodstuffs of such antiseptic substances as boric and salicylic acids and formaldehyde. They are considered injurious, however, and their use is forbidden by law in many States. Besides the antiseptics proper, a number of the more common substances, such as connnon salt, sugar, alcohol, and saltpetre, are used in food preservation. On the other hand, antiseptics are used for other purposes besides the preservation of foodstuffs. ”

“ A disinfectant destroys the organisms, and at the same time removes the noxious products of fermentation and putrefaction. The conditions which favor putrefactive change are a moderate degree of warmth, air, and the presence of moisture and microorganisms. Measures which tend to limit the action of any of these agencies are antiseptic in character. Cold acts as an antiseptic, by bringing the article to be preserved to a temperature at which the putrefactive bacteria can no longer act. In the preservation of canned goods another principle is employed, that of exclusion of air. ”