174 PHARMACEUTICAL BACTERIOLOGY. 



Every pharmacist should fully inform himself regarding the state laws 

 and city ordinances governing health and quarantine regulations. State 

 and city boards of health usually issue free bulletins on methods of disin- 

 fection in communicable diseases. Copies of these should be on hand for 

 ready reference. 



For room disinfection, formalin or sulphur are used. With formalin 

 the procedure is as follows: For every 1000 cubic feet of space there is 

 required one pint of formaldehyde (the 40 per cent, commercial formalin) 

 and 8 ounces of commercial potassium permanganate. Place the perman- 

 ganate in an agate lined or iron pail of about ten times the capacity of the dis- 

 infectant to be used, spreading the permanganate evenly over the bottom. 

 Set pail containing the crystals upon a brick, iron stand or other support, in 

 a tub, pan or dish partially filled with water. See that windows and doors 

 are closed and sealed (excepting the exit). The room should be warm and 

 moist, a condition which may be effected by suspending sheets wrung out of 

 hot water about the room. In a steam heated flat, steam may be allowed to 

 escape from the air vent of a radiator, or steam may be generated outside 

 of the room and conducted into it by means of rubber tubing. Do not 

 have an open fire or flame in the room to be disinfected as the gas to be 

 liberated is somewhat inflammable. Having ascertained that all is in readi- 

 ness, pour the formalin solution from a dipper or wide mouthed vessel over 

 the permanganate; leave the room at once, close and seal exit, plugging key 

 hole and crevices in door. Eighty per cent, of the gas is liberated within 

 ten minutes or less. Leave the room sealed for at least six hours, preferably 

 twelve hours. At the end of this time disinfection is complete. Open doors 

 and windows. Traces of formalin may be destroyed by sprinkling or spray- 

 ing ammonia in the room. 



It is advised to use a separate container for every pint of formalin used. 

 A large piece of matting or other absorptive material may be placed under 

 each container to guard against the possibility of staining the floor, in case 

 the floor requires such protection. 



In case sulphur is used, prepare the room (as to sealing, air moisture and 

 warmth) as for formalin disinfection, taking the precaution to remove (and 

 disinfect separately, by means of formalin and bichloride of mercury) paint- 

 ings, clothing and other fabric which must not be bleached by the sul- 

 phurous acid fumes. For every 1000 cubic feet of space use 3.5 pounds 

 of flower of sulphur. Place the sulphur on a bed of sand or on ashes in 

 an iron pot or pan which is supported on a brick or iron stand in a dish 

 of water. Pour a little alcohol over the sulphur and ignite. 



Sulphur candles are now found upon the market and are more conven- 

 ient than sulphur. Place a sufficient number of the candles upon bricks in 

 pans of water and light them. Liquefied sulphur dioxide put up in conven- 



