DISINFECTION. b3 



"How to Burn a Carcass."* — Dig- a cross-shaped trench 

 about nine inches deep in the center, becoming shallow toward the 

 edges; about seven feet long each way, and 9 or 10 inches deep. 

 The earth is thrown in the angles ; two bars of iron are placed 

 across for a bridge and upon them the fuel is placed. The trunk 

 of the carcass is placed upon the fuel, then another layer of fuel, 

 then the internal organs, and limbs of the carcass, and finally an- 

 other layer of wood. The cross-shaped trench gives a draft — no 

 matter which way the wind may be blowing. 



DISINFECTANTS. 



Alcohol. — This is considered unreliable, not strong enough 

 in its germ destroying properties, but useful for certain purposes, 

 particularly as an aid in disinfecting greasy surfaces. 



Carbolic acid. — Pure carbolic acid is usually seen in the 

 form of light colored crystals, sometimes slightly red. As sold 

 in the drug stores it is usually liquified by the addition of 5 to 8 

 per cent of water. It is soluble in water np to about 6 per cent. 

 This is one of the most commonly used and most reliable disin- 

 fectants. It is objectionable in being quite poisonous ; but it does 

 not destroy clothing or corrode metals like corrosive sublimate. 

 The best antidote is probably alcohol for internal poisoning or 

 for external burns. Alcohol may be given in large doses for this 

 purpose. For disinfection, use as 5% solution. 



Crude carbolic acid was formerly a very valuable disinfect- 

 ant, and cheap, but it has fallen into discredit because some of 

 that put on the market in later years has been robbed of its dis- 

 infecting properties in the manufacture of various proprietary dis- 

 infectants. 



Creolin. — This is supposed to be a combination of crude car- 

 bolic acid with soap. It is a dark brown, rather thick liquid, and 

 makes a milky emulsion with water, used in 5 to 10 per cent so- 

 lution. 



Formalin. — A very important disinfectant, either as a liquid 

 or when vaporized. It is in the market as a 40 per cent solution 

 of formaldehyde gas. The odor is very irritating and disagree- 

 able, resembling somewhat chlorine. Formalin is apparently more 

 active in the presence of moisture. For use in vapor form, at 



•Method recommended by Dr. F. Smith. 



