DISINFECTANTS AND ANTISEPTICS. 2(X) 



with the bacillus of tuberculosis. Dilute solutions of bi- 

 chloride of mercury are apt to be decomposed and rendered 

 inert by the albumin. Carbolic acid is open to the same 

 objection, but its combination with hydrochloric acid can 

 be used successfully in a strength of 5 per cent. each. 

 Milk of lime cannot be relied upon for this purpose. A 

 4 per cent, solution of calcic hypochlorite (chloride of lime) 

 is the best for general use, and the spit-cup should be kept 

 nearly full of this solution. Sputum may also be disinfected 

 by exposure to the action of steam in the steam sterilizer 

 or by boiling for 15 minutes. If napkins or old pieces of 

 cloth are used for the reception of sputum they may be 

 immediately destroyed in a fire. 



Disinfection after Postmortems. After autopsies on 

 infectious cases it is necessary to disinfect the table and 

 fluid products coming from it prior to emptying into the 

 sewer. The table may be successfully disinfected by a 

 liberal sprinkling with 4 per cent, calcic hypochlorite solu- 

 tion. All fluids should be treated with an equal quantity 

 of the same solution. The table should not be cleaned for 

 at least one hour after application of the disinfectant. The 

 same rule applies to the disinfection of the fluids an ex- 

 posure of at least one hour to the disinfectant before final 

 disposition. 



The Cadaver in Contagions Diseases. In cases of death 

 from a contagious disease all the orifices of the body should 

 be packed with cotton soaked in a strong solution ( i to 500) 

 of bichloride of mercury, the skin washed with a i to 1000 

 solution, and the cadaver wrapped in a sheet wet with the 

 same. The funeral should be private and the body dis- 

 posed of within twenty-four hours, preferably by cremation. 



House Disinfection. After infectious disease it is essen- 

 tial that the house or the apartment in which the patient 

 has been confined should be disinfected. It is rarely neces- 



