AGRICULTURAL BACTERIOLOGY. 



antiseptic much weaker solutions are efficient. The most 

 common strength for its use is I 1,000, and in this strength it 

 is so efficient that it rapidly destroys the septic powers of all 

 bacteria. This strength is used for washing the hands, when 

 they need to be specially clean for surgical operations, and 

 this strength may be used for washing floors or walls of in- 

 fected rooms. The objections to its use are two. It is 

 intensely poisonous to man, and the greatest care must be 

 exercised in handling it. It is unsafe to leave it upon the 

 walls of stables that are liable to be licked by cattle, and, in- 

 deed, after its use a thorough washing should always follow. 

 Secondly, it has a violent corrosive action upon metals, and 

 cannot be used for disinfecting anything which is made of iron 

 or steel. This limits its use in many cases. But, nevertheless, 

 it is one of the best and most widely used of all chemical dis- 

 infectants. A solution of about the proper strength (1-1,000) 

 may be made by dissolving one-quarter ounce of the sublimate 

 in two gallons of water. Such a solution can be freely used 

 for washing anything that does not contain metals, and should 

 be followed by thorough washing. A more effective solution 

 is made as follows: I part corrosive sublimate (15 grains), 2 

 parts common salt (30 grains), 1,000 parts water (i quart). 



Carbolic Acid. This material is much less powerful in its 

 action than corrosive sublimate. It is a germicide when dis- 

 solved in water in proportion of I to 20, and acts as an effi- 

 cient antiseptic when in solution of I to 400. It is not so 

 violent a poison as corrosive sublimate, and may be used in 

 much stronger solution. A solution of I to 40, or even I to 

 20, may be freely used for washing the hands, although 

 stronger solutions are apt to produce a burning of the skin. 

 It owes its wide use partly to the fact that it was the first anti- 

 septic carefully studied, and because it was used in surgery 

 long before others were discovered. It is very efficient and, 

 as ordinarily used, is harmless. One of the reasons for its 



