sodium hypochlorite solution (known as eau de labarraque, "labarraque's water") throughout the world for that purpose. his work greatly improved medical practice, public health, the sanitary conditions in hospitals, slaughterhouses, and all industries dealing with animal products—decades before pasteur and others established the germ theory of disease. in particular, it led to the nearly universal practice of chlorination of tap water to prevent the spread of diseases like typhoid fever and cholera. in 1915, british chemist henry dakin, working at a field hospital in france during world war i, did an extensive study of compounds that could be used to disinfect wounds and prevent sepsis. he found that chloramine was optimal, but settled for a dilute sodium hypochlorite solution—still used today with the name of "dakin's solution"—for reasons of cost and availability.