184 Sterilization and Disinfection 



For the fastidious patients, cut-glass bottles with tightly fitting lids 

 are used to collect the sputum, and as these are not unsightly the 

 patients make no objection to carrying them about with them. 

 Tuberculous patients should be provided with rice-paper instead of 

 handkerchiefs, and should have their napkins, towels, knives, forks, 

 spoons, plates, etc., kept strictly apart from the others of the house- 

 hold and carefully sterilized by boiling after using. Patients with 

 sensitive dispositions need never be told of these arrangements. 



The excreta from cases of typhoid fever and cholera require 

 particular attention. These, and indeed all alvine matter the pos- 

 sible source of infection or contagion, should be received in glazed 

 earthen vessels and immediately and intimately mixed with a 5 

 per cent, solution of chlorinated lime (containing 25 per cent, of 

 chlorin) if semi-solid, or with the powder if liquid, and allowed to 

 stand for an hour before being thrown into the drain. 



Thoughtful consideration should always be given the germicides 

 used to disinfect the discharges, lest combination of the chemical 

 with ingredients of the discharge produce inert compounds. Thus, 

 bichlorid of mercury cannot be used because it forms an inert 

 compound with albumin. 



The Clothing, etc. The bed-clothing, towels, napkins, handker- 

 chiefs, night-robes, underclothes, etc., used by a patient suffering 

 from an infectious disease, as well as the towels, napkins, handker- 

 chiefs, caps, aprons, and outside dresses worn by the nurse, should be 

 regarded as infective and carefully sterilized. The only satisfactory 

 method of doing this is by prolonged subjection to steam in a special 

 apparatus; but, as this is only possible in hospitals, the next best 

 thing is boiling for some time in the ordinary wash-boiler. In drying, 

 the wash should hang longer than usual in the sun and wind. Woolen 

 underwear can be treated exactly as if made of cotton. The woolen 

 outer clothing of the patient, if infective, requires special treat- 

 ment. Fortunately, the infection of the outer garments is unusual. 

 The only reliable method for their sterilization is prolonged ex- 

 posure to hot air at i ioC. In private practice it often becomes a 

 grave question what shall be done with these articles. Prolonged 

 exposure to fresh air and sunlight will, however, aid in rendering 

 them harmless; and can be practised when it is not certain that they 

 are actually infective. Infective articles of wool may be sent to 

 the city hospital and baked. 



The doctor visiting a case of dangerous infection or a hospital 

 for infectious diseases should cover his clothing with a linen or 

 cotton gown, and protect his hair with a cap, these articles being 

 disinfected after the visit. By such precautions he will avoid spread- 

 ing infection among his patients or carrying it to his own family. 



The Furniture, etc. The destruction of infective furniture is 

 unnecessary. The doctor treating a case of infectious disease, if 

 he properly perform his functions, will save much trouble and money 



