The History and Toxicity of Chlorine

http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/171547/

Although proposed as a disinfectant in the 1700s, it wasn't until 1825 that chlorine became widely used for the purpose of disinfecting. In 1825, the Royal Institute of France awarded the pharmacist Antoine Germain Labarraque for his recommendation of a chlorine solution for the enhancement of public health of France. Labarraque recommended that a chlorinated soda solution be used for disinfecting purposes and as a deodorant. After three years of various published clinic success using this chlorine solution, it became widely used and known as Labarraque's solution.

---SPSmith